What Is Monjayaki? Okonomiyaki's Lesser-Known Rival

You have likely heard of the famous Kansai street food staple okonomiyaki (savory cabbage pancakes), but what about monjayaki? Monjayaki, often called “monja,” is to Tokyo what okonomiyaki is to Hiroshima and Osaka.

Both dishes are delicious and savory traditional Japanese “soul food” options, and while similar in many ways, there are distinct differences. Okonomiyaki has more of a pancake-like resemblance with toppings; monjayaki is more gooey and you can create a satisfying, chewy texture if you leave the batter to cook for long enough.

Both can be served at specialized teppanyaki (iron griddle) restaurants.

Find out more: Where To Eat Teppanyaki in Tokyo: 9 Best Restaurants

While okonomiyaki is better known outside of Japan, due to its iconic appearance and often takes center stage in food conversations, monjayaki holds a special place in the hearts of Tokyoites. 

Each pancake-like dish represents a distinct regional flavor and cooking style, and the debate over which is better continues to be the topic of conversation among Japanese street food enthusiasts.

In essence, monjayaki is very close to okonomiyaki. Both dishes are made with a batter, chopped vegetables like cabbage and various mix-ins like seafood, cheese or meat. However, monjayaki’s batter contains significantly more liquid. The result isn’t a thick pancake but a molten and slightly crispy meal filled with your favorite ingredients.

Okonomiyaki’s ingredients are mixed together and cooked into a thick pancake at the same time, whereas in monjayaki the ingredients are first fried on a teppanyaki grill, then the batter — which is much thinner than okonomiyaki batter — is poured into the center and stirred together into a bubbling pool of meat, seafood and vegetables.

Both are a fun, make-it-yourself dish that are loved for their flavors and DIY nature. 

Settled in front of a tabletop grill, diners use small spatulas to cook both okonomiyaki and monjayaki. However, whereas the entire okonomiyaki can normally be cooked and served, monja is usually left on the grill, allowing diners to scrape off caramelized batter directly from the hot griddle, resulting in a slightly crispy bite with a chewy center. 

Monjayaki is the perfect dish if you like playing around with flavor and texture combinations because the options are endless! Depending on where you go, you can have a slightly different experience and take part in the fun of sampling the region’s monjayaki. 

Locals typically use ingredients like:

• Pork

• Squid

• Shrimp

• Cheese

• Sweetcorn

• Cabbage

• Carrots

For a full monjayaki recipe, head to Okonomi Kitchen.

Making monjayaki requires a few key steps when grilling:

1. First, heat up your griddle and lightly coat it with oil. 

2. In a bowl mix in the dashi (Japanese broth) and other ingredients thoroughly. 

3. Once the griddle is hot, scoop the non-liquid ingredients onto it and cook until the cabbage softens. 

4. As you stir the cabbage, chop the ingredients with a small spatula to make them easier to eat. 

5. When everything is softened, shape the mixture into a ring shape on the hot grill. You want to make sure there are no gaps in your ring as the next step is to pour the liquid batter into the middle or it will spill out. 

6. Simmer the liquid until it starts to bubble, then stir everything together until you get a gooey texture. 

7. Spread it into a thin layer across the griddle, and it’s ready to eat! 

8. Use your spatula to scrape up small portions, but be careful, it’s extremely hot.

Okonomiyaki, meaning "grilled to one's liking," reflects its customizable nature with various ingredients mixed into a thick, pancake-like batter. This dish, a specialty from Osaka and Hiroshima, is savory and can be sliced into pieces. In many restaurants, okonomiyaki and monjayaki are served side by side since they share similar ingredients.

Monjayaki, however, has a thin, liquid batter, making it distinct from the firmer okonomiyaki. It's most popular in Tsukishima, Tokyo, where "Monja Street" boasts over 70 restaurants specializing in the dish. 

Unlike okonomiyaki, monjayaki is eaten by scooping small portions with a spatula directly from the griddle, offering a unique Tokyo dining experience.

Getting hungry after reading about this tasty dish? Keep reading to find popular monjayaki restaurants in Tokyo to try for yourself!

Eetoko is a popular spot in Tsukishima, Tokyo, known for its delicious okonomiyaki and monjayaki. Located in the heart of Monja Street, this cozy restaurant offers a variety of toppings for both savory dishes, including seafood, meat and vegetables. 

Enjoy a hands-on dining experience by cooking your meal on a hot griddle at the table. Eetoko’s friendly staff, local atmosphere and fresh ingredients make it a must-visit for anyone wanting to experience two of Tokyo’s iconic dishes, all while exploring the famous monjayaki district.

This local izakaya in Shinagawa offers unbeatable all-you-can-eat and free-flow drink deals — perfect after a day of walking around the city! 

The owners source fresh seafood daily from Toyosu Market, ensuring high-quality rice bowls, sashimi, tempura and other small plates. Located just minutes east of Shinagawa Station, it’s a great spot for a feast. Masu-kame also features 20 varieties of sake, including rare bottles. 

While monjayaki is often limited to local restaurants, there are plenty of cooking classes featuring its Kansai cousin, okonomiyaki. If you want to bring back the kitchen skills to make one of Japan’s most popular dishes, check out one of the classes below! 

Learn to make Osaka-style okonomiyaki, a savory cabbage pancake often called “Japanese pizza,” in a 2-hour cooking class. Perfect for vegetarians, this class teaches you to create a customizable okonomiyaki with various toppings like meat, seafood or extra veggies. 

You’ll also enjoy two side dishes and receive the recipe to recreate at home. With ingredients easily accessible worldwide, you can impress your loved ones with authentic okonomiyaki long after your Tokyo adventure!

Experience authentic Japanese cooking in a private class at Emi’s home in Nerima, Tokyo. Learn to make three traditional dishes, like miso soup and okonomiyaki, with step-by-step guidance. 

Suitable for all skill levels, this hands-on class offers a unique glimpse into Japanese home life and cooking, far from tourist spots.

Join a cooking class with a local instructor to prepare a Japanese-style set meal at a vibrant kitchen studio in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Choose from a variety of menus, including okonomiyaki, yakisoba, sushi or a traditional gozen set — consisting of a main dish, rice, soup and side dishes. 

With guidance from a certified Japanese cooking instructor, you’ll master several dishes while enjoying a hands-on experience blending tradition and modernity in central Tokyo.

Find out more: What is Teishoku? The Japanese Set Meal

Want to try a unique Tokyo tour and cooking class? Join this scenic nature walk followed by an authentic okonomiyaki cooking class in Setagaya, Tokyo.

Begin with a peaceful stroll through Japanese gardens, then walk to a traditional home studio to learn how to make okonomiyaki from scratch. Guided by a seasoned instructor, you'll also enjoy seasonal vegetable sides, drinks, and matcha-based desserts. 

Enjoy a fun night out in Shibuya with a local guide, cooking okonomiyaki, yakisoba, and takoyaki at an all-you-can-drink restaurant. This family-friendly experience includes a 2-hour free flow of drinks, dessert and a visit to a game arcade center. 

Learn to make classic Japanese street food, enjoy delicious drinks, and play arcade games for a memorable evening in Tokyo.

Experience a Halal cooking class in Tokyo, where you'll learn to make Japanese favorites like okonomiyaki and golden soup using halal ingredients. Enjoy a hands-on session with expert guidance and take home the recipes to recreate the dishes yourself. 

All ingredients and equipment are halal-certified, making it a perfect cultural experience for travelers of different backgrounds.

Become an expert in kawaii cooking with a fun and creative cooking class where you'll make adorable okonomiyaki and inari sushi shaped like cute animals! 

Learn expert tips from a seasoned instructor while preparing delicious Kansai-style okonomiyaki, sushi rice and tamagoyaki (omelet). Enjoy your creations with Japanese egg drop soup, pickled veggies and a seasonal Japanese dessert in a luxurious cooking studio in Minami Aoyama.

Learn traditional home cooking recipes from a friendly host in Higashi-Koganei, just 25 minutes from Shinjuku. Enjoy making and sharing dishes like okonomiyaki with other participants in a family-friendly setting. 

Vegan, vegetarian, and halal options are available upon request. Perfect for anyone wanting a hands-on cultural experience and a taste of Japanese home cooking.

Get to know Kansai’s popular okonomiyaki, try out Hiroshima-yaki at these restaurants and become master of the Japanese grill with our guide to teppanyaki.

The main difference between monjayaki and okonomiyaki is texture. Okonomiyaki is much thicker and has a texture that more closely resembles a pancake, while monjayaki has a much thinner batter, with the final product often being compared to melted cheese.

The area of Tokyo most famous for monjayaki is Tsukishima, known as the birthplace of monjayaki. Many monjayaki restaurants can be found in this area of downtown Tokyo.

Monjayaki does not have egg in it, unless you choose to add it as a topping! The batter is made of flour, water and dashi, followed by any ingredients you’re craving inside your monjayaki that evening.