Trader Joe’s Okonomiyaki Review

Have you ever looked at a pancake and thought, “This would be better with cabbage”? No? Well, the culinary geniuses in Japan did, and Trader Joe’s newest freezer find brings this brilliant Japanese street food straight to your kitchen! As a parent with more tasks than time and a food budget tighter than my post-holiday jeans, I’m always on the hunt for interesting shortcuts that don’t sacrifice flavor or nutrition and want to take me on an adventure around the world.

Let me back up a bit. Last summer my wife and I traveled to Tokyo for two weeks. We were there to visit our son who was doing six months in a study abroad program at Seikei University in Tokyo. We can for the last couple of weeks of his studies. He is almost fluent in Japanese as personal hobby of his that started when he was a little kid watching Pokemon on TV. He studied Japanese in our local highschool and did some university work too. (He is studying computer science).

We had a wonderful time in Japan and I have loved Japanese food for as long as I can remember and have made ramen and teriyaki and okonomiyaki at home so many times I can’t remember. In Japan, there aren’t food trucks very much, but there are hole in the wall tiny restaurants on every block. Some only have 4 or 5 seats but you will have the best bowl of ramen or okonomiyaki you’ve ever had. I ate it all the time when we were there.

Okonomiyaki is a beloved Japanese savory pancake whose name literally translates to “grill what you like,” reflecting its highly adaptable nature. At its core, it’s a hearty mixture of shredded cabbage, scallions, and other vegetables bound together with a batter made from flour, eggs, and dashi (a Japanese soup stock), all cooked on a griddle until golden and crispy. This “Osaka soul food” is typically topped with a sweet-savory brown sauce similar to Worcestershire, Japanese mayo, dried seaweed flakes, and bonito flakes that “dance” from the heat. There are various regional styles throughout Japan, with the Osaka/Kansai-style mixing all ingredients together while Hiroshima-style layers the components separately, and vegan versions use alternatives like rice flour and chia seeds instead of eggs. What makes okonomiyaki special is its perfect balance of textures and flavors – crunchy yet soft, sweet yet savory – creating a comfort food that’s both filling and delightfully customizable.

BTW, Okonomiyaki is very similar to Korean Pajeon pancakes that Trader Joe’s also sells.

The beauty of these frozen veggie pancakes is their versatility. Busy Tuesday and the kids are hangry? Okonomiyaki to the rescue! Working late and need something substantial that doesn’t require culinary school to prepare? Just heat these up! They’re perfect for those evenings when you’re too tired to chop vegetables but still want to feel like you’re making healthier choices than ordering pizza (again).

Preparation

Trust me on this. You do not want to microwave these savory pancakes. You want to put them in a pan and crisp them up. But doing that requires a microwave according to the instructions. First you toss them in the microwave to 3 minutes, to thaw them out. Then you put them in a pan and saute them on both sides for 2 minutes and 30 seconds on each side. No more or no less. Actually, you need to be careful with the heat because they scorch pretty easy. Low and slow and if you need more than the prescribe time to crisp them up than take it. But if you just micorwave them you’ll get mushy cabbage pancakes and doesn’t that sound appetizing!

Once you are done, flip onto a plate and drizzle the Okonomi sauce and bonito flakes on the pancake. I can’t tell you how much this smells like Japan right now!

What comes in the bag?

You get three things in the bag. The Okonomiyaki, the Okonomi sauce and bonito (tuna) flakes. Very traditional and this whole thing is a product of Japan so you know it’s authentic.

The sweet and savory okonomi sauce that comes with these pancakes deserves its own paragraph. It’s like if teriyaki sauce and BBQ sauce went on a date and decided they were soulmates. A little sweet, a little tangy, and absolutely delicious drizzled over the crispy edges of these veggie-packed discs.

For serving suggestions that’ll make you look like a culinary wizard: crisp these up in a pan until golden, drizzle with the included sauce, and if you’re feeling fancy, add a zigzag of mayo on top. Sprinkle with some sesame seeds and chopped green onions, and suddenly your Wednesday dinner has major weekend vibes. I did an optional fried egg on top, but these things are versitle and you can put a ton of different things on top.

You can easily serve this with other Japanese Fried Rice or some of the Gyoza and make it a whole Japanese meal.

At under $5 for the package (based on typical Trader Joe’s pricing), these make an economical meal option that feels like you’re getting takeout from that cool Japanese place downtown – minus the delivery fee and the need to change out of your sweatpants.

The flavor transported me back to Japan. The crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, savory cabbage pancake hit all the right notes. The sauce is spot on from what I remember and the bonito flakes are a must. I topped with an fried egg and Trader Joe’s Furikake. It brought back a lot of memories.

These come in at $4.99 for a 10 ounce pancake. Whether you’re a curious culinary explorer or just someone who wants to break up with their boring dinner routine, Trader Joe’s Okonomiyaki is your ticket to a flavorful adventure that’s ready faster than you can say “what should we eat tonight?” Your taste buds (and your schedule) will thank you! I am going to give these 9 out of 10 Stars. Making these put a smile on my face and transported me back to Japan for a few minutes!