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NY Food Truck Lunch: Japanese Omelette-Pancake From Okadaman

Perry, the voice behind New York Street Food, brings you his latest review on New York City food trucks.

One of the city's most exciting new food trucks just opened last Friday.

The truck is called Okadaman, which is the nickname of the chef whose recipes are served on the truck, Okada Yasuhiko.  An illustration of his face graces the side of the truck.

During his college years, Okadaman grew fascinated with okonomiyaki and takoyaki, and ever since then, he has been seaching for the perfect recipe. Okonomiyaki is a Japanese omelette-pancake hybrid made with a variety of ingredients.  Takoyaki are fried octopus balls.

Pancakes From Okadaman
(credit: New York Street Food)

We decided to get an original okonomiyaki, which cost $8.97 after tax.  There is also a seafood okonomiyaki available for the same price that is made with calamari.

It's kind of tough to see with all the stuff on top, but this all starts with a special batter of eggs and yams, to which some things are added including red ginger, cabbage and bits of tempura.  Once the pancake starts to solidify on the grill, the pork or squid is put on, then it's flipped over.

More: NYC's 5 Best Plates Of Pancakes

Where the true magic takes place is in the toppings.  The pancake is topped with okonomiyaki sauce (a delicious sweet brown sauce), Japanese mayo, nori (seaweed) and shaved bonito (tuna) flakes in the center.

Okonomiyaki From Okadaman
(credit: New York Street Food)

Not only are the ingredients top-notch, but the presentation is gorgeous. Take another look at the top photo of the finished okonomiyaki.  This is one of the most beautifully presented lunches I've eaten, truck or not.

More: NYC's 7 Best Food Truck Burgers

Not being an expert in this Japanese cuisine, it's kind of difficult to describe, but there was sweetness from the okonomiyaki sauce, some fish flavor from the bonito flakes, a little creaminess from the mayo, egg of course, and the pork added some meatiness and saltiness. What an excellent dish!

Since this is their first full week of serving, Okadaman is staying in the same place for lunch, 48th St between Park & Lexington Ave. They expect to serve dinner too, but probably not this first week while the kinks are being worked out.

You can find Okadaman on Twitter here or on our Mobile Munchies Twitter feed.

If you want something a little less adventurous, Okadaman also has fried chicken (kara-age) and yakisoba, a noodle dish with pork.  If you are more adventurous, go for the octopus.

There are also combination specials so you can try more than one dish. The full Okadaman menu is here. Enjoy! I certainly did.

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