What To Serve With Okonomiyaki – 25 Best Side Dishes

Are you tired of staring at your perfectly grilled okonomiyaki with a blank, soulless expression, unsure of what to do next?

Don’t worry, we’ve all been there.

But fear not, dear reader, for we have compiled a list of 25 side dishes that will make your okonomiyaki the belle of the ball!

From carby carbs to fresh veg, from fried and crispy to pickles and saucy dips, we’ve got you covered.

And let’s be real, okonomiyaki is a dish that’s just begging for some friends to come along for the ride.

So, let’s not leave our darling pancake lonely and unaccompanied. Instead, let’s give it the company it deserves with some of the most unique, delicious, and downright quirky side dishes we could find.

So sit back, relax, and prepare to be blown away by the culinary perfection that is “what to serve with okonomiyaki“.

Let’s dive into the world of amazing side dishes and turn our okonomiyaki into a true masterpiece!

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes With Okonomiyaki?

1. Because okonomiyaki needs friends too: Let’s face it, okonomiyaki is great and all, but it’s a little lonely on its own. Why not invite some side dishes to the party? Your pancake will thank you, and your taste buds will be in heaven.
2. Because variety is the spice of life: Sure, okonomiyaki is delicious, but why limit yourself to just one flavor? By adding some side dishes to the mix, you can mix and match different tastes and textures, and take your meal to the next level.
3. Because carbs need more carbs: Let’s be real, carbs are life. And what’s better than one carb? Two carbs, of course! By adding some steamed rice or garlic bread to your okonomiyaki, you’ll be living the carb dream.
4. Because pickles are life: Okay, maybe pickles aren’t life, but they’re pretty darn good. And with so many different pickled veggies to choose from, you can add a little bit of tang to your meal and pretend you’re being healthy at the same time. Win-win!
5. Because sauce makes everything better: Let’s face it, sauce is the secret to a happy life. And with so many delicious saucy dips to choose from, you can take your okonomiyaki to the next level. Try some tonkatsu sauce, sriracha mayo, or miso dressing for the ultimate flavor explosion.

What To Serve With Okonomiyaki – 25 Best Side Dishes

Okonomiyaki is a delicious Japanese savory pancake.

But what should you serve with it?

Here are 25 great side dishes that will make your okonomiyaki experience even more enjoyable:

Carby Carbs

• Steamed rice: You know what they say, “Carbs are a girl’s best friend.” And what’s better than one carb? TWO carbs, of course! Add some steamed rice to your okonomiyaki to really live life on the edge. Plus, the soft, fluffy texture of the rice perfectly complements the crispy exterior of your pancake. Trust us, your taste buds will thank you.
• Garlic bread: Who needs a plain old dinner roll when you can slather some garlic butter on a slice of bread and call it a day? Your okonomiyaki deserves better. Adding garlic bread to your meal is like turning the volume up to 11. It’s bold, it’s brash, and it’s absolutely delicious. Pro tip: dunk that garlic bread in the leftover okonomiyaki sauce for the ultimate flavor explosion.
• French fries: The perfect side dish for when you’re feeling extra fancy. Sure, they’re not the most obvious choice to accompany your Japanese pancake, but who says you have to be obvious? Sometimes, you just gotta live a little. Pair those crispy fries with some ketchup or mayo for the ultimate indulgence. Your taste buds will thank you, even if your waistline won’t.
• Mashed potatoes: If you’re feeling like you need some extra comfort, look no further than a heaping scoop of mashed potatoes. The creamy texture and buttery flavor of mashed potatoes are like a warm hug for your soul. Plus, they make the perfect canvas for that leftover okonomiyaki sauce. Go ahead, get creative.
• Naan bread: Take a little trip to India with your okonomiyaki by adding some naan bread on the side. The flavors may seem like they clash, but trust us, it’s a match made in heaven. The warm, pillowy texture of naan bread is the perfect complement to the crispy exterior of your pancake. Plus, it’s a great way to mix up your meal and try something new. Why settle for boring when you can have naan?

Fresh Veg

• Cucumber salad: If you’re feeling like your okonomiyaki needs a little bit of crunch, why not add some cucumbers? They’re refreshing, light, and the perfect way to balance out the heavier flavors of your pancake. Plus, you can pretend you’re eating something healthy.
• Coleslaw: For those who like a little bit of tang with their meal, coleslaw is the way to go. The creamy dressing and crunch of the cabbage add a nice texture and flavor to your plate. And, let’s be real, it’s always fun to see how long you can dangle a string of coleslaw before it finally snaps.
• Edamame: If you want to stick with a Japanese theme, edamame is a classic side dish. The little pods are fun to pop open, and the saltiness is the perfect complement to your savory okonomiyaki. Plus, it’s a great way to sneak in some extra protein.
• Mixed greens: For those who want to keep it simple, a fresh, mixed green salad is always a good choice. The lightness of the greens is a nice contrast to the heavier flavors of your pancake. Plus, it’s a great way to pretend you’re eating something healthy (we won’t tell if you add some extra dressing).
• Sliced tomatoes: If you’re looking for something refreshing and light to accompany your okonomiyaki, sliced tomatoes are a great choice. They’re juicy, flavorful, and add a nice pop of color to your plate. Plus, they make a great palate cleanser between bites of pancake. Just don’t forget to sprinkle a little salt and pepper on top!

Fried and Crispy

• Gyoza: Ah, gyoza. The perfect side dish for any occasion. These little pockets of goodness are fried to crispy perfection and filled with savory goodness. Plus, they’re bite-sized, so you can eat as many (or as few) as you want. Just don’t forget to dip them in some soy sauce or ponzu for the ultimate flavor explosion.
• Chicken karaage: If you’re in the mood for some fried chicken, look no further than chicken karaage. These little nuggets of joy are marinated in soy sauce, ginger, and garlic, then fried to crispy perfection. They’re the perfect complement to your okonomiyaki, and you’ll feel like you’re eating something fancy (even though it’s just fried chicken).
• Takoyaki: For those who want to stick with a Japanese theme, takoyaki is the way to go. These little balls of goodness are filled with octopus (yes, you read that right) and fried to crispy perfection. They’re a little bit sweet, a little bit savory, and a whole lot of delicious.
• Tempura veggies: For those who want to pretend they’re eating something healthy (we won’t judge), tempura veggies are a great choice. The light batter is the perfect complement to the fresh, crispy veggies inside. Plus, you can pretend you’re getting some extra nutrition (even though it’s deep-fried).
• Fried tofu: If you’re feeling like you need some extra protein, fried tofu is the way to go. The crispy exterior is the perfect contrast to the soft, creamy tofu inside. Plus, you can feel like you’re eating something healthy (even though it’s fried). Dip it in some soy sauce or ponzu for the ultimate flavor explosion.

Pickles

• Pickled ginger: For those who want a little extra zing in their meal, pickled ginger is the perfect side dish. It’s tart, it’s tangy, and it’s the perfect way to wake up your taste buds. Plus, you can pretend you’re eating something healthy (even though it’s just pickled ginger).
• Cabbage kimchi: If you’re feeling like you need some extra heat, look no further than cabbage kimchi. This Korean side dish is fermented, spicy, and oh-so-delicious. It’s the perfect complement to your savory okonomiyaki, and it’ll give your taste buds a kick in the pants.
• Daikon radish: For those who want something light and refreshing to accompany their pancake, daikon radish is a great choice. It’s crunchy, it’s mild, and it’s the perfect palate cleanser between bites of okonomiyaki. Plus, it’s a great way to pretend you’re eating something healthy (even though it’s just a radish).
• Pickled cucumber: For those who want a little bit of crunch with their meal, pickled cucumbers are the perfect choice. They’re tart, they’re tangy, and they add a nice texture to your plate. Plus, they’re a great way to pretend you’re eating something healthy (even though it’s just a cucumber).
• Japanese pickles: For those who want to stick with a Japanese theme, Japanese pickles are the way to go. There are a variety of different pickles to choose from, including umeboshi (pickled plums) and takuan (pickled daikon). They’re a little bit sweet, a little bit sour, and a whole lot of delicious. Plus, they’re a great way to pretend you’re getting some extra nutrition (even though they’re just pickles).

Saucy Dips

• Tonkatsu sauce: If you’re feeling like your okonomiyaki needs a little bit of extra oomph, tonkatsu sauce is the way to go. It’s sweet, it’s tangy, and it’s the perfect complement to your savory pancake. Plus, you can pretend you’re eating something fancy (even though it’s just sauce).
• Sriracha mayo: For those who want a little bit of heat with their meal, sriracha mayo is the perfect choice. It’s creamy, it’s spicy, and it’s the perfect complement to your savory okonomiyaki. Plus, you can feel like you’re eating something fancy (even though it’s just mayo with hot sauce mixed in).
• Ponzu sauce: If you’re in the mood for something a little bit citrusy, ponzu sauce is the way to go. It’s made with soy sauce, vinegar, and citrus juice, and it’s the perfect complement to your savory pancake. Plus, it’s a great way to pretend you’re eating something healthy (even though it’s just sauce).
• Soy sauce: For those who want to keep it simple, soy sauce is always a good choice. It’s salty, it’s savory, and it’s the perfect complement to your savory okonomiyaki. Plus, you can feel like you’re eating something fancy (even though it’s just soy sauce).
• Miso dressing: If you’re feeling like you need a little bit of extra flavor in your meal, miso dressing is the perfect choice. It’s creamy, it’s savory, and it’s the perfect complement to your savory pancake. Plus, you can pretend you’re eating something healthy (even though it’s just dressing). Drizzle it over some mixed greens for the ultimate side dish.

Conclusion

And there you have it, folks!

25 different, unique, and downright delicious side dishes to serve with your okonomiyaki. Whether you’re feeling like something carby, fresh, fried, pickled, or saucy, we’ve got you covered.

Now, we know what you’re thinking. “But wait, isn’t okonomiyaki a meal in itself? Why do I need side dishes?” Well, we’re here to tell you that okonomiyaki is like a blank canvas. It’s a vehicle for flavor, a jumping-off point for culinary creativity. So why not take it to the next level with some amazing side dishes?

We hope you enjoyed our take on what to serve with okonomiyaki. Remember to mix and match, try new things, and most importantly, have fun. And who knows? Maybe you’ll discover your new favorite side dish. So, grab a fork (or chopsticks, if you’re feeling fancy) and let’s dig in!