How to Make Okonomiyaki with Ivan Orkin | Dear Test Kitchen

This week on “Dear Test Kitchen,” Ivan Orkin joins Josh to make two different versions of okonomiyaki, a Japanese savory pancake stuffed with, in Ivan’s words, “cabbage and a multitude of other ingredients, such as onion, scallions, pork belly or bacon, seafood, fish cakes, udon, mochi (rice cakes), and/or basically anything else you can think of.” GET THE RECIPE ►► f52.co/37rGaFC
Looking for a specific section? We've got you covered:
2:02 - A basic okonomiyaki batter
5:02 - How to cook okonomiyaki
7:44 - Popular okonomiyaki toppings
11:24 - Finishing the okonomiyaki
13:22 - Tasting the okonomiyaki
14:29 - An okonomiyaki variation
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[@MsRae-iz1zw]

🙌 Ivan!!! Great video, love learning about this kind of quick meal. Any advice on where to order tonkatsu sauce and stuff?

[@davidriggs7677]

You can get Bull-Dog tonkatsu sauce that Ivan is using here on Amazon. Many other brands as well.

[@angellover02171]

You might find that some Asian markets near you might offer it.

[@yoominsang1744]

if you have worcester sauce, ketchup, any starch (corn, potato, even flour) & soysauce, You can make tonkatsu sauce.

[@fourthpanda]

Your local Asian grocer will carry these

[@andrewbudd7368]

From my experience you can obtain the specialty ingredients at any Asian mart with any merit.

[@sparksoffyou]

I tried this for the first time on New Year’s Eve and it was one of the best meals I’ve ever had.

[@food52]

Let us know if you try Ivan's version!

[@nancyosullivan719]

When I lived in Hiroshima, they made the pancake in the pan more like a crepe and loaded up the top of the cooking pancake with cabbage, carrots, shrimp or bacon, or thin sliced beef or pork. Then they flipped it over and tucked the edges in so the vegetables would steam. It was always served with the pancake on the bottom. I appreciate your mention of the Bull Dog sauce. I’ve been looking for that particular sauce 30 years but didn’t know what I needed to look for, but now I do! I’ll be getting some today! I think your technique is just as appealing and probably quicker. Thanks for the walk down memory lane!

[@food52]

Thanks so much for sharing, Nancy!

[@erikl85]

That's definitely Hiroshima style, and it normally has noodles. This is the Osaka style, which I prefer, usually adding lots of chopped up shrimp in the batter.

[@nancyosullivan719]

erikl85 Yes, Erik. It was evident that regions were very important to the Japanese. They are very competitive. I remember the noodles, but they also used bean sprouts. It was actually kind of a mess to flip. I have to say, I like your technique better. I bought the Bull Dog sauce. It’s not what I thought it would be, but I’ll keep looking for it. I talked to a Japanese fella who was making sushi at Sam’s Club. I asked him what the dark brown sauce was, and he said “Sushi Sauce.” Hum... I have a few Japanese cookbooks I should look through again. Maybe, I can find what I’m looking for. Thanks for your reply!

[@erikl85]

@@nancyosullivan719 Look for Otafuku brand okonomi sauce, I buy it on amazon. www.amazon.com/Okonomi-Sauce-17-6oz-by-Otafuku/dp/B00886NJP6/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3M6U0FGVJ7EHC&keywords=okonomiyaki+sauce&qid=1581030272&sprefix=okono%2Caps%2C205&sr=8-1

[@grugparty]

Ivan Orkin is a human, and the other bloke is something else.

[@vedute]

Okonomiyaki made with an all nagaimo batter (no flour or water) is fantastic. It's very fragile and wet, but delicious.

[@jarredhumphrey]

The title should really feature the fact that this video is WITH IVAN ORKIN.

[@food52]

That's a great suggestion -- thanks Jared!

[@adrianunser332]

LOL how would you miss this step in publication.... ??

[@dillonphommasa2785]

I'm not sure we need two people for these videos. Ivan will do just fine on his own.

[@sergeigen1]

some guests need a little bit more guidance than others, ivan has a strong personality, so hes fine by himself lol

[@auntiekeeko]

I always add some powdered dashi and a splash of soy sauce to the batter. Toss in some thinly sliced onion and bean sprouts with the cabbage and don't forget the shrimp. Kewpie mayo made in Japan is better than the one made in USA.

[@food52]

Thanks for sharing -- sounds delicious!

[@hansheld467]

so good

[@japanesesmiles8515]

Looks amazing! Oishisou!😀🇯🇵🌸

[@coloradozmom]

This is such a joy, thank you!

[@JenniferJadeKerr]

"If you hate it, don't put it in." Now that's cooking advice you can take to the bank!

[@HeartsRain]

No dashi and nagaimo/yamaimo in the batter?

[@TheRausing1]

Great video, good vibe with these two. Orkin is a living legend!

[@food52]

Glad you enjoyed watching!

[@angellover02171]

Food 52 has some of the most odd interactions put on camera.

[@LisaKerschner]

angellover02171 I agree and i feel bad saying this, but I’ll try to put it as kindly as possible: Josh is not a strong host. He doesn’t really have much to add except ooh and ahh. He’s very soft spoken and doesn’t really do much on camera. They should try to build his skills or find a new host that has a more knowledgeable and dynamic personality.

[@angellover02171]

@@LisaKerschner it didn't help that Ivan Orkin was pretty short with Josh and mostly talking to the camera. I have seen Ivan Orkin have more normal interactions with other people. Josh isn't the only odd ball on this channel. I think most of the hosts have the same sort of "too chill" vibe. When ever there is more than one host it's like they never had interaction with another person.

[@mXENO]

we can't tell if josh is a good host or not because he is way too deferential

[@angellover02171]

@@mXENO Josh is super happy to be here talking with his cooking idols.

[@victoriaoshea4865]

I love it! Unscripted And I'm learning a lot

[@ayakaganig]

In Tokyo or Kanto area of Japan, there is ‘Mon-jya yaki’ which is looser kind of okonomiyaki :)

[@BariTone7-v5r]

I used reconstituted dried Shiitake mushrooms to the cabbage mix and Applewood smoked bacon. I added some Korean gojuchang at the end with the mayo and bulldog. I called it "Smokey and the Bandit".

[@food52]

That sounds delicious -- thanks for sharing, Shawn!

[@victoriaoshea4865]

Does someone have a list of ingredients please ?

[@betticat]

So yummy!

[@food52]

Glad you enjoyed the recipe!

[@Zojirushi.2.16]

They made an Osaka style okonomiyaki, check out hiroshima style if you're interested.

[@nuclearseahorse]

Imagining a group of football fans eating okonomiyaki at a super bowl party is pretty funny to me

[@rachel.the.riveter]

Interesting, I've always seen the batter made with nagaimo.

[@beef_trumpet]

No mention of the fact that Okonomiyaki literally means “fried as you like”. Also, Ivan said it’s more of a dinner food - not really, since it originated as a street snack in Osaka/Hiroshima

[@happycherylc]

Okinawa is known for a noodle soup that is more influenced from Hawaii than Japan, as I understand. Would love to find some recipes on this famous soup and Okinawan food. Any suggestions?

[@angellover02171]

What's it called?

[@juliemiya]

It’s called Okinawan Soba or Soki Soba. Influenced from China. The Okinawan immigrants brought it to Hawaii, which you can find the noodle at most markets. You can find recipes by googling okinawan Soba or Soki Soba. The broth is a very light, simple dashi (fish/kombu) based.The noods are thicker, almost like a linguini shape.

[@manifest8082]

Gotta load it up with negi!

[@sergeigen1]

hell yeah! negiyaki boooiiii

[@bhn028]

I used prosciutto, thank you!

[@beepbapboop126]

that must be pretty salty!

[@bhn028]

It isn’t salty because I also added tomatoes, thank you!

[@food52]

Thanks for sharing -- glad you enjoyed Ivan's recipe!

[@mellejobs7412]

I'm here to say that I like Josh

[@food52]

Glad you're enjoying watching, Melle!

[@MsAsb-zx4sr]

Yummyyy

[@azndude963]

The conversation flow was just so awkward.

[@victoriaoshea4865]

It would be helpful if you covered "Mice en Place"

[@R0gue0ne]

Ivan Orkin is the sort of guest you just need to let go...he'll just do his thing. Josh tried to participate and made it awkward.

[@dazbarone]

Robert De Niro is a great cook!

[@marianabenicio944]

Como faço para traduzir para o português?

[@LaCurlySue562]

I just KNOW he wanted to finish it lol

[@lavender_mint]

Ivan using metal the metal spoon and spatula with the nonstick pan...Ouch

[@ericulpepper]

Using that metal spoon and spatula on that nonstick made me cringe lol come on 52...get my man Ivan the wooden ones :P

[@allstarsandre]

chill

[@London1869]

Silicone spatula, please!

[@food52]

Hi Eric! The GreenPan Valencia Nonstick pans are actually safe to use with metal utensils -- another reason why we're big fans: food52.com/shop/products/5491-greenpan-valencia-nonstick-fry-pan

[@callmedrood562]

glad im not the only one

[@Sto0pidMonkey]

The host for sure as some dead bodies hidden under his floorboards at home.

[@BenWallad]

Otafuku please

[@ゆう2912]

せっかく日本の食を出されているので、日本語が書かれた日本人の漫画とアイヴァンさんが日本で撮影された写真を飾られてはどうでしょうか。 可愛い感じであれば江口寿史さんか鳥山明さんで、格好いいのは大友克洋さんのAKIRAで、日本語の看板が入ったネオ東京の街の絵はニューヨークに合う気がします。登場人物がラーメンを食べる漫画もいいと思います。日本の漫画は海外の方に人気があるので。

[@nancynancy952]

😋😋👍

[@a.rosesrbleu9580]

What kind of pan (name brand) is that? Also, I think Kewpie mayo isn't just more "eggy" it also usually has MSG in it....

[@Petitvoyage81]

Is the Green Pan. I believed that's the Valencia line

[@a.rosesrbleu9580]

@@Petitvoyage81 Thank you for your help!

[@michaelenglish1992]

Kewpie made in usa does not use MSG. Also: MSG is not bad for you.

[@beepbapboop126]

kewpie also contains mustard. and yea, MSG isn't bad for you either.

[@food52]

Hi @A.RosesRBleu! That's the GreenPan Valencia Nonstick Fry Pan, and you can find them on our site: food52.com/shop/products/5491-greenpan-valencia-nonstick-fry-pan Hope this helps!

[@lonnyg5535]

Oy this host gives me anxiety

[@pch8236]

Thinking the same 😅

[@mree.9794]

why the host look so nervous

[@jonathankerth917]

No noodles?

[@DizzyBusy]

Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki is sometimes made with noodles.

[@gusmendez2564]

Most know ramen chef in japan? Who are you Tom Cruise in the last Samurai ? Ridiclous

[@victoriaoshea4865]

You don't use Japanese cabbage ?

[@restaurantman]

By "Japanese Cabbage", are you referring to Napa Cabbage -which originated from China? That variety is not typically used for Okonomiyaki.

[@DizzyBusy]

What is Japanese cabbage?

[@99hanachan]

Proportion of batter to vegetable is way too much. Should not look so wet. Cabbage appears hard, should use flat leaf type. If following recipe above the result will be too dense and far removed from what successful okonomiyaki should be.

[@bisscamembert7680]

Gaijin is right. No dashi -_-

[@anguscrawford9128]

Why does the host guy keep repeating things Ivan has already said... add something, otherwise why be in the video at all.

[@woolfel]

okonomiyaki is delicious, but it can be kind of heavy.

[@DizzyBusy]

The best foods usually are, no?

[@SaintCharbelMakhlouf420]

Host weird AF

[@London1869]

This video just dragged on. The guest chef rambles too much. That was a very atypical okonomiyaki.

[@beepbapboop126]

Okonomi literally translates to "how you like" or "what you like" meaning it is a dish that is made to preference. There is nothing atypical about an okonomiyaki, be it this one or any other.

[@tellthetruthna8523]

I appreciate the effort but 20 minutes to present a simple breakfast dish is way too long. Bruno Albouze, Chef John, or the chef on NOT ANOTHER COOKING SHOW could do a full course meal in that amount of time. Watch them and learn!

[@angellover02171]

Okonomiyaki isn't a breakfast dish. It's more of a fast food dish.

[@DizzyBusy]

If you have this for breakfast, please invite me next time!

[@carolyndavid1959]

Crack the egg inside the bowl .. oh yeah! Great way to get salmonella! Scrape the knife to the wood--ugh!

[@dippingdots8457]

Do people like the Jewish guy teaching them about japanese food?

[@MsFated]

Cuz he is from Tokyo apparently lol

[@DizzyBusy]

Yes, actually, why not? I've seen Japanese chefs doing excellent French food. Ivan Orkin had a successful ramen-ya in Tokyo, right in the middle of it all, with everyday Japanese people as customers eating his ramen, he's plenty qualified. Or would you rather Jewish people only cook matzo balls, chicken soup, and smoked fish?

[@erikadowdy686]

Yuck

[@amileague9282]

The conversation flow was just so awkward.