Kurochan

Plenty of cabbage, with just enough batter to hold it together: Kurochan’s okonomiyaki is a satisfying-looking dish that still feels light enough to keep you reaching for another bite. Some diners have singled out the cabbage’s sweetness and pleasant bite, along with the softly set egg. The pancake is cooked slowly, and you can add sauce when you like.

Choose from pork, beef, a squid-and-pork mix, or seafood with squid, prawns and scallops. Okonomiyaki with egg is offered in small, medium and large sizes. Pork makes a reliable classic, while the mixed or seafood versions offer a chance to try different fillings. Modern-yaki, which combines okonomiyaki with yakisoba, is another repeat order among visitors. It comes with pork, mixed fillings or a more generously topped special, in small, medium and large sizes. One diner made the medium mixed modern-yaki their regular choice; another enjoyed the small pork version for its contrasting textures. Diners have also noted the crisp patches of yakisoba noodles against the soft okonomiyaki. One visitor estimated that the medium contains about 1.5 portions of noodles and the large about 2, a useful guide if you’re especially hungry.

For something alongside your main dish, consider the salt-grilled platter of squid, prawns and scallops, or tonpeiyaki, an egg-and-pork dish. You could start with teppanyaki before moving on to okonomiyaki or yakisoba. Several diners mention the garlic oil on the table as a way to change the flavour partway through. Try the pancake plain at first, then add a little oil later for a different taste.

Drinks include a small draft beer, chūhai and fresh-lemon chūhai, as well as non-alcoholic beer and oolong tea. One diner who ordered the fresh-lemon chūhai noted that freshly squeezed lemon juice was served on the side. It makes a good match for an evening meal with teppanyaki.

The restaurant has counter seating only, with a griddle at each seat. Several visitors say they called ahead to reserve a seat or dishes and placed their order in advance, so it is worth phoning to check if you have a particular dish in mind. Takeaway is available. Kurochan is open Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 17 to 21; it is closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Payment is cash only.