Okonomiyaki Hatsuko

If texture is what you’re after, start with the pork okonomiyaki. Diners have remarked on its crisp surface and soft, fluffy middle; another praised the sweetness of the cabbage and the savoury, browned underside. For different fillings, try the Negi Suji Kon-yaki, with Japanese beef tendon, konnyaku and spring onion, or the pork-and-kimchi okonomiyaki, made with chives and available at a choice of spice levels. The Kaki Negi Tama-yaki brings out the savoury flavour of oysters in the batter and also contains shiitake mushrooms.

Yakisoba is another popular choice, with diners describing it as a satisfying dish in its own right. The menu includes squid yakisoba, Kuroge wagyu yakisoba and mixed yakisoba with wagyu, pork, squid and prawns, so you can make the noodles the focus or opt for a more generously topped plate. One visitor enjoyed extra-thick yakisoba simply seasoned with salt and pepper, and found that Worcestershire sauce or ponzu made a pleasing accompaniment. The menu also lists the signature Gokubuto Niku Soba, a substantial noodle dish for a change from the classic okonomiyaki.

You don’t have to make okonomiyaki the whole meal: another way to enjoy Hatsuko is to order a drink and share a few small plates. Choices include doteyaki, beef tendon with ponzu and grilled akasen beef offal, and one reviewer described enjoying snacks before finishing with okonomiyaki. For something lighter, consider grilled salted yam, kimchi or thick-cut ham katsu. Beer, highballs and sake are also on the menu, making it easy to build your meal around a main dish or a succession of small plates. With okonomiyaki, yakisoba and plenty of snacks to choose from, Hatsuko suits both a hearty meal and a more leisurely evening of drinks and bites.