I tend to get into food ruts. I’ll eat the same thing, over and over and over again. And the thing is, it doesn’t bore me. In fact, the freedom to consume my favourite foods for days in a row is one of the more thrilling parts of being a “grown up.” One of my (many) food obsessions in Tokyo, has definitely been takoyaki. Not even two weeks into our stay, me and Mike purposely went out to buy an electric takoyaki pan from that 12-story behemoth of a store that sells everything, Bic Camera. The pan was on sale for less than $10, so it was a no brainer. What Mike didn’t expect was that I would suggest takoyaki again and again and again after bringing the pan home.
Sounds a little strange, yes, especially considering that there is a Gindaco (takoyaki fast food chain) not even 10 minutes walking distance from our house (I use the term “house” loosely here—really, we live in a teeny-tiny condo). But, I’ll admit it, I’m pretty strange, especially when it comes to food. Don’t worry, we’ve consumed massive amounts of other food as well, but on the rare occasion that we do stay in to cook (and it is quite rare here, as there are just so many delicious restaurants to try out), it will be takoyaki. The octopus is cheap and plentiful, the negi (green onions) are even more piquant and addictive and I just love turning the balls of batter in their oil-slicked wells.
Mike, on the other hand, isn’t so impressed. Oh, he was game the first, say, three times. But when it got to the fifth, he suggested something different. “A burger, maybe,” was his request. I’m not one to deny food requests and so, I presented him…wait for it…the OKONOMIYAKI Burger. See, okonomiyaki is super similar to takoyaki, condiment wise. On top of takoyaki, you’ll generally find: Kewpie mayo, so-su (a thick Worcestershire-style sauce), anori flakes, and bonito flakes. And on top of okonomiyaki, you’ll find much the same.
It was brilliance, I tell you, BRILLIANCE! Who knew that burgers topped with mayo, worcestershire sauce, seaweed and bonito would be delicious?! It was kind of like eating a meat-only okonomiyaki, which, considering “okonomiyaki” translates to “what you like, fried” is exactly what Mike wanted.
Oh, and a note on the bread here in Japan. It’s top-notch. It’s magic. It’s every hyperbolic phrase you’ve ever heard. Soft and fluffy, with the right amount of mochi-mochi (chew), Japanese bread is just another food I just about overdose on regularly. Bonus points, a lot of the bread over here is cute. I’m talking animal-shaped buns cute. But that’s for another post. In the mean time, get your burgers on!
Okonomiyaki Burger Recipe
makes 12 mini burgersBurgers
- 1 lb ground beef
- salt and pepper
- 12 soft mini brioche buns (or buns of your choice)
Toppings
- Kewpie mayo
- okonomiyaki sauce
- bonito flakes
- aonori flakes or seaweed strips
- tempura bits or rice krispies
Divide the beef into 12 equal portions and gently form into patties. Heat a cast iron pan over medium-high heat and add several patties, making sure not to over-crowd. Cook until deeply golden brown and charred, flipping once, about 3-4 minutes per side.
While the burgers are cooking, toast the buns. Assemble by placing the burgers on the bottom buns. Drizzle on the mayo and okonomiyaki sauce to taste and then top with bonito flakes, anori flakes, and tempura bits. Top with the top bun and enjoy!
Love!! Two street foods mashed together…cannot get better than this! I totally agree with you about Japanese bread, there is just something about it that cannot be expressed in words. Not just your favorite bakery, but every bakery.
Yes! Every bakery has magic in it!! What is it they do to their bread?!
Hi Stephanie! I also get into food ruts, the latest one being artichokes, must have made them about 9 times in the last 2 weeks so someone in my household they was beginning to be weary of me… Anyhow, this burger does look like magic! It looks like a fusion I’d love and would mind parting with my beloved mustard for this “what you like” topping.
ooh mustard would be awesome…and maybe some crispy artichoke chips!!
My favourite topping for takoyaki is kimchi and cheese (on top of all the regulars!) You?
There’s a shop called “Daihachi Takohanamaru” near Meiji-jingumae Station in Harajuku that sells “omu-tako”, takoyaki made with eggs instead of batter. Maybe you’ll like it? :)
I am also in Tokyo, now (although a Vancity girl originally). Were you here when it snowed (twice?!) Haha!
yes please to cheese!!
takoyaki made with eggs?! I have to try that one day!!
and yes, I was there for the two snow storms :) I loved it – the city was gorgeous to look at, but not so much to walk in :)
oh my goodness this is such an awesome idea! can’t wait to try this recipe out!
Where does one get the Kewpie mayo and the tempura bits?? Would a japanes market in SF carry them?
yes, they should!
I’m the same about food, I will eat the same thing every night for a week and it also one of my favourite things about being a grown-up. I go through phases where I just crave the same thing all the time, then won’t eat it for months on end. I love okonomiyaki and especially takoyaki. They are the first thing I order when I see them on a menu in a Japanese restaurant.Unfortunately kewpie mayo and okonomiyaki sauce is hard to come by here in Ireland.
Canal Cook, you could just add a little white sugar to some mayonnaise to try to replicate Kewpie Mayo! And you can make your own okonomiyaki sauce, it can taste way better than store-bought :) These both sound flavorful:
http://justonecookbook.com/how-to/tonkatsu-sauce-recipe/
http://www.bigoven.com/recipe/166839/okonomiyaki-sauce
BEST burger idea I’ve read in ages! Yummm, thank you
tried this and my boys loved it. We added Japanese cabbage as topping for the burgers, very thinly sliced. Yum!
Ooh, shredded cabbage would add some delicious crunch. Awesome idea!
This looks delicious, thanks for sharing!
This sounds great! We’re making this next time I can get to our nearest Asian market to get more Kewpie mayo. I love making okonomiyaki but it will be nice to do something a little different still with okonomiyaki taste. By the way the little seaweed sprinkles are called aonori (“blue seaweed”) instead of anori.
This burger looks awesome. As a burger fan it makes me want to try it. You take really ridiculously tasty looking pictures. I am officially a fan. Good job.
This is shear brilliance. I was directed to your site because Macheesmo is having a killer cookbook giveaway and your book looks awesome. So I’m at work and browsing food blogs isn’t really encouraged BUT just as I was going to tab over to a work-related website, I saw “okonomiyaki burger” and I had to double-take. I love okonomiyaki! I even had a miniature okonomiyaki keychain when I was a kid. My husband and I eat okonomiyaki pretty regularly these days and this recipe is a MUST for continuing on our japanese food adventures. Thanks for sharing!
This is the laziest “okonomiyaki” I’ve ever saw.