Zamurai

Let someone else cook the okonomiyaki, then enjoy it at your table. At Zamurai in Higashi-Nakano, leaving the cooking to the staff means you can relax over conversation and drinks while it is prepared. Reviews praise the fluffy, Kansai-style pancake; one diner also noted that it was generous with grated yam and that the sauce was not too strong. The mixed version, with pork, prawns and squid, offers several different toppings in one dish.

For both yakisoba and okonomiyaki, try modanyaki, which combines the two. The salt yakisoba is described as Okinawan-style, and one diner reported trying it with bitter melon and Spam. Choosing between salt and sauce is part of the fun. Add a teppan-grilled dish or a snack and let dinner turn into drinks. Tonpeiyaki, pork loin wrapped in egg, is a familiar favourite; the menu description calls attention to its fluffy egg. The beef tendon stew is said to simmer slowly for 48 hours, making it a tempting choice with a drink or as another dish for the table.

There are more inventive okonomiyaki options, too, including an Italian-style spicy pancake made with cheese and chorizo in the batter and topped with tomato sauce. Choose a familiar mix or try something different. There is plenty to pick from for a shared dinner or a solo evening of teppan dishes and drinks.