It would be a waste to just eat the Osaka gourmet food "okonomiyaki"! At "Gourmet Okonomiyaki Hanamaru" in Komagawa Shopping Street, we hold "Okonomiyaki Classes" where you can experience grilling okonomiyaki by yourself.
As I entered the shop, guided by the neon sign, I was greeted by a cheerful "Welcome!" When I said I wanted to try it, I was shown to a teppan seat.
First, you choose three ingredients. The menu includes pork (black-haired sticky pork belly), squid, peeled shrimp, as well as other ingredients such as potatoes, natto, mentaiko, and mushrooms. They have a wide range of ingredients available for customers who have food restrictions, including those for religious reasons.
Once I had chosen my toppings, a bowl of dough base topped with chopped cabbage, spring onions, tempura flakes and pickled ginger was brought to me.
Following the instructions of the staff, we grilled the pork first. While checking how well it was done, we mixed the batter base in a bowl.
Place the dough base on top of the baked ingredients, then the remaining ingredients on top of that, then place another dough base on top of that, bake for about 6 minutes, and flip.
In Osaka, the tool used to flip the okonomiyaki is mainly called a "teko." It's a thrilling moment when you hold the lever in both hands and lift the okonomiyaki straight up from the hot plate to flip it over.
Once cooked, pour in a generous amount of our special sweet sauce. The sight of the sauce spilling out and the hot plate sizzling is irresistible. Spread mayonnaise on top, sprinkle on bonito flakes and green laver, and it's done.
Maki Morita, CEO of the Moritaya Niku Group, which operates Gourmet Okonomiyaki Hanamaru, said with a big smile, "It's really fun to grill okonomiyaki, and it tastes special when you make it yourself. I hope you'll come to our store and experience the friendly atmosphere of Komagawa Shopping Street."
Komagawa Shopping Street
*Okonomiyaki class details*
Authentic okonomiyaki with staff giving detailed instructions on how to cook it
Experience content: Okonomiyaki (choose 3 toppings) + salad and drink
Price: 2,500 yen (tax included)
※Reservations are not required.
