Hinase Kaki Okonomiyaki (Oyster Okonomiyaki)

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Hinase Kaki Okonomiyaki is a local specialty born in Hinase, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture: an okonomiyaki savory pancake made generously with raw oysters. Hinase is a fishing town facing the Seto Inland Sea, known as a major production area accounting for more than half of Okayama Prefecture's oyster harvest. Its defining feature is a runny batter combined with a mountain of finely shredded cabbage and fresh raw oysters, grilled together on a griddle; because freshly landed oysters are used, they release little excess moisture and retain a plump, springy texture even after cooking without shrinking. It is said to have originated with fishermen bringing in small or damaged oysters unfit for sale to eat at local okonomiyaki shops, and it became known nationwide after the local 'Hinase Kaki Okonomiyaki Study Group' coined the name 'Kaki-oko' in 2002 and began promotional activities.