Essentially a Japanese pancake, okonomiyaki was invented before World War II. The origin of the pancake in Japan can be traced back to the Edo period (between 1683 and 1868). During that time, a dessert called funoyaki was served at Buddhist ceremonies. It evolved during the Meiji period and the sukesoyaki was born. In the 20s and 30s, more sauces began to be used and the dish came to be known as yoshokuyaki. The term ‘okonomiyaki’ was only used in Osaka in the 30s. Simultaneously, a similar pancake became popular in Hiroshima. Okonomiyaki and its variants came into the limelight during the war when rice was scarce and other available ingredients had to be used. An unpretentious wheat pancake became the ideal substitute and people started adding ingredients like eggs, pork, and cabbage at the time of and after the war. In Osaka, a restaurant claims to be the first to have added mayonnaise to the dish.
