One of the most famous street foods in the Land of the Rising Sun, okonomiyaki, is now available in Budapest. A little eatery on prominent Ráday utca by Kálvin tér is offering authentic Japanese pancakes in four flavours, each an absolute delight.
Okonomiyaki is basically a savoury Japanese pancake or omelette, made of flour, eggs, vegetables, meat and other specialities in different variations, topped with condiments. There’s even an okonomiyaki sauce, something akin to Worcestershire, but sweeter and more dense, as well as Japanese mayo, dried seaweed or bonito flakes. Choices for toppings and fillings are endless, which is why the name of this dish translates as 'grill as you wish'.
At Japan Okonomiyaki Kincsán, owner-chef Kanezashi Sinya makes four types: basic Kansai-style okonomiyaki (1,400 HUF, extra toppings 300 HUF each); a variation with tofu (1,600 HUF); a modern version (1,600 HUF) in layers with pasta and mung-bean sprouts, and the galette okonomiyaki (1,500 HUF), made with buckwheat flour.
Having an okonomiyaki doesn't serve as a full meal, it is more like a snack to savour any time during the day. At this Budapest eatery, it is always made fresh to order, which takes a couple of minutes, but your okonomiyaki will be fully worth the wait.
