Ajiya Okonomiyaki Restaurant (Beauty World)

Ajiya Okonomiyaki Restaurant is a small Japanese restaurant on Jalan Jurong Kechil, near Beauty World in Upper Bukit Timah. It specialises in okonomiyaki, the savoury Japanese pancake. The fun part is that you can cook it yourself on a hot plate at your seat.

Okonomiyaki roughly means grilled as you like it, and the menu follows that idea. You choose the fillings, mix them into the batter, and cook and flip the pancake yourself. Staff are on hand to help if you are unsure.

How the DIY okonomiyaki works

1. Pick your fillings from seafood, meat and vegetable choices, such as prawns, squid, crabmeat, pork belly or spinach.
2. Mix them well with the batter in the bowl.
3. Spread the mix on the hot plate and shape it into a round. Leave it for a few minutes.
4. Flip it over and let the other side cook through.
5. Finish with okonomiyaki sauce, Japanese mayonnaise, seaweed and bonito flakes.

Cooking your own pancake takes a little longer than a normal meal, so do not come in a rush. The flip can take a little practice.

What else to order

The menu goes well beyond okonomiyaki. Reviews mention homemade pork gyoza, chawanmushi (a steamed egg custard) and gyu tan, which is grilled beef tongue. Yaki soba with pork is a good choice if you want noodles. There are also teppanyaki dishes cooked on the grill.

Monjayaki, a runnier Tokyo-style cousin of okonomiyaki, has been on the menu as well. It has needed to be ordered ahead in the past, so ask about it when you book.

The setting

The room is small, cosy and air-conditioned. One reviewer said it brought to mind the tiny eateries found down side streets in Japan. Diners sit at counters or tables with grills built in, so everyone can watch the cooking.

It suits friends and families who want a hands-on meal. With children, keep small hands away from the hot plate.

Getting there

The restaurant is at 104 Jalan Jurong Kechil. The nearest MRT station is Beauty World on the Downtown Line, within walking distance.

Nearby

Beauty World is close to some of Singapore's best nature spots. You could pair lunch with a morning hike at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve or a walk along the Rail Corridor. The Former Ford Factory, a wartime history site, is also in the area. For more food, browse Japanese restaurants in Singapore or all restaurants in Upper Bukit Timah.