Pancakes come in many different shapes and sizes, but the Japanese variety is definitely an acquired taste: Okonomiyaki makes some people salivate with delight, while others may have to hone their palate for them.

The batter of a Japanese pancake contains egg and flour, like most well-know pancake varieties, but it also contains mashed mountain potatoes and shredded cabbage, making the Japanese pancake a savory instead of sweet dish. A variety of ingredients such as vegetables, seafood and/or meat can be added to the pancake and tradition dictates that the finished pancake is served with Worcestershire sauce and mayonnaise (!).

Okonomiyaki loosely translates as “cook as you like”, which means almost every aspect of the pancake and the toppings can be changed to your tastes, such as vegetarian or fish-free versions. The atmosphere is welcoming and cozy, and chef and staff are extremely hospitable, which makes acquiring a taste for Japanese pancakes a fairly easy task.