A local initiative is set to showcase the culinary adaptability of okonomiyaki pancakes by infusing ingredients from the G7 conference held in May. Each pancake will be uniquely adorned with elements like Italian spaghetti and hamburger buns, endorsed by Hiroshima’s Okonomiyaki School for special occasions. This dish, originally conceived in Hiroshima as a survival meal following the atomic bombing, has evolved into the city’s emblematic delicacy. Shigeki Sasaki, President of Otafuku Holdings Co. and Director of the Academy, notes, “Okonomiyaki has transformed from a means of survival to a culinary gem of Hiroshima.”

In a world facing contemporary challenges, the organizers aim to employ this event as a platform to highlight how Hiroshima’s cuisine embodies notions of peace and restoration. The Okonomiyaki School undertook global research on this dish, discovering approximately 250 okonomiyaki eateries in Hiroshima, neighboring regions, and beyond. Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki has specifically requested G-7 okonomiyaki from the school, with their choice being Japan’s distinctive “niku-tama-soba” okonomiyaki, which includes batter, cabbage, bean sprouts, noodles, and pork. The menu will also encompass iconic dishes from various countries, such as France’s galette, America’s hamburger, Britain’s fish and chips, Germany’s sausage, potatoes, and sour cabbage, Italy’s carbonara, and Canada’s maple syrup.

In crafting this diverse menu, academy members interacted with expatriates and collaborated with eateries to pinpoint dishes associated with different nations. Through trials and refining processes in January, they ingeniously incorporated national ingredients into the okonomiyaki, resulting in custom-designed menus. For those interested, the recipes will be made available online, extending the flavors of this international culinary fusion to a broader audience.