Savory Pancakes for Dinner? Why Okonomiyaki is a Pediatrician-Approved Weeknight Win
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Time to Read: 7 min
Welcome to The Pediatrician Kitchen at Ahimsa
As a pediatrician and mom of three, I’m always searching for dinners that are quick, affordable, and nourishing, but still fun for kids.
Enter Okonomiyaki: a Japanese “savory pancake” that’s veggie-loaded, crispy, and customizable. It’s not just dinner.It’s a science-backed tool to help kids expand their palates, stay hydrated, and practice balance at mealtime.
When served on Ahimsa’s stainless steel Purposeful Plate, kids can clearly see each food group, reinforcing mealtime structure in a fun, visual way.
About Ahimsa
Founded by a pediatrician and mom of three
Stainless steel is the only kid-friendly material recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics
We are guided by a Scientific Advisory Council comprised of environmental and medical experts, guiding us in creating the safest products, following the latest science and promoting policy to protect human health and our planet
Want to know more? Check out our story and our products.
Why Okonomiyaki Works (The Science of Flavor & Hydration)
- Umami Exposure: Okonomiyaki introduces kids to umami (the “fifth taste”), found in soy sauce and savory toppings. Early exposure to diverse flavors trains children’s taste buds to accept a wider range of foods later in life.
- Hydration Boost: Cabbage, carrots, and zucchini are water-dense veggies. Eating them contributes to daily hydration, especially important since most kids don’t drink enough water.
- Texture Play: The pancake is crispy on the outside, soft inside. Kids learn to enjoy vegetables in different textures, making them less resistant to new foods.
- Interactive Eating: Letting kids drizzle sauces or sprinkle toppings adds autonomy. Pediatric studies show this lowers mealtime battles and increases veggie acceptance. Serve these toppings in Ahimsa’s Simple Serve Bowls. They are perfectly sized for kid-friendly scooping and food exploration.
The Recipe: Pediatrician Kitchen Okonomiyaki
10 minutes
15 Minutes
4
Dinner
Ingredients:
2 cups finely shredded cabbage (green or napa; coleslaw mix works)
1 medium carrot, grated
1 small zucchini, grated and squeezed of excess water
3 green onions, thinly sliced
2 eggs, lightly beaten
½ cup all-purpose flour (or whole wheat)
½ cup panko breadcrumbs (for extra crispness)
½ cup water or low-sodium broth
1 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp oil (olive or avocado) for cooking
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Optional Add-Ins:
½ cup leftover chicken, shrimp, or tofu
½ cup frozen corn or edamame
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Toppings (Kid-Friendly Flavor Boosts):
Quick Okonomiyaki Sauce: 2 Tbsp ketchup + 1 Tbsp Worcestershire + ½ tsp honey
Creamy Drizzle: Greek yogurt or mayo thinned with lemon juice
- Sesame seeds, extra green onion tops, or parsley
Instructions:
- Mix Batter: In a large bowl, whisk eggs, flour, panko, water/broth, and soy sauce until smooth. Fold in cabbage, carrot, zucchini, and green onions (plus any optional protein or veggies).
- Cook Pancakes: Heat oil in a nonstick skillet over medium. Scoop batter into pan (about ½ cup per pancake). Cook 4–5 minutes until the bottom is golden and crisp. Flip carefully and cook another 4–5 minutes.
- Top & Serve: Drizzle with sauce and yogurt, sprinkle sesame seeds, and serve in wedges. To keep toppings fresh and sauces separate for picky eaters, try using Ahimsa’s divided snack trays. They help reduce mess and let kids explore one flavor at a time.
Mealtime Essentials
Serving Idea: The Purposeful Plate
Okonomiyaki already packs veggies, grain, and protein into one slice, so add some fruit around it for a balanced meal and gorgeous presentation.
We eat with our eyes first and Ahimsa’s beautiful Purposeful Plate makes dinner a statement piece! You can also use the Simple Serve bowl to add some fruit to the side for dessert and you have a well balanced delicious weeknight meal!
Plus, the stainless steel material is free from harmful chemicals, easy to clean, and built to last, making them ideal for busy weeknights and repeat use.
And when their meals are served on Ahimsa’s kid-sized plates and bowls, they’re given the tools to build independence, food confidence, and healthy habits all at once.
Why This Recipe Hits the Mark
- Brain Fuel: Eggs + whole grains provide protein and B vitamins for focus.
- Gut Health: Fiber from cabbage, carrots, and zucchini feeds the microbiome.
- Hydration Helper: Veggies inside + fruit on the side = more water in every bite.
- Behavioral Win: Kids drizzle their own sauce, sprinkle their toppings, and learn autonomy at the table.
Expanding Palates
Okonomiyaki is proof that healthy weeknight dinners can be simple, affordable, and exciting for kids. By layering in crispy textures, savory flavors, and water-rich veggies, you’re not only nourishing their bodies—you’re training their palates for a lifetime of balance.
Ahimsa’s stainless steel dishware helps turn this into a routine. Use their color-coded system to reinforce food group variety, one meal at a time.
It also happens to be one of my kids’ favorites. And as a mom, I’m always thrilled when a new recipe becomes such a hit that it earns a spot in our regular weeknight rotation.
Try These Next from The Pediatrician Kitchen
- Frozen Yogurt Bark with Probiotics – 3 ingredients, freezer-friendly, and gut-nourishing
- Pizza Quesadilla with Veggies Cooked In – Fast weeknight meal with hidden spinach
- 3-Ingredient Gut Health Smoothie – Blendable breakfast or snack packed with fiber and protein
Dr. Manasa Mantravadi is a board-certified pediatrician whose dedication to children’s health drove her to launch Ahimsa, the world's first colorful stainless steel dishes for kids. She was motivated by the American Academy of Pediatrics’ findings on harmful chemicals in plastic affecting children's well-being. Ahimsa has gained widespread recognition and been featured in media outlets such as Parents Magazine, the Today Show, The Oprah Magazine, and more.
Dr. Mantravadi received the esteemed “Physician Mentor of the Year” award at Indiana University School of Medicine in 2019. She was also named a Forbes Next 1000 Entrepreneur in 2021, with her inspiring story showcased on Good Morning America. She serves on the Council for Environmental Health and Climate Change and the Council for School Health at The American Academy of Pediatrics. She represents Ahimsa as a U.S. industry stakeholder on the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) for the Global Plastics Treaty, led by the United Nations Environment Program. Dr. Mantravadi leads Ahimsa's social impact program, The Conscious Cafeteria Project, to reduce carbon emissions and safeguard student health as part of a national pilot of the Clinton Global Initiative.
She is dedicated to educating and empowering people to make healthier, more environmentally friendly choices at mealtime. Her mission remains to advocate for the health of all children and the one planet we will leave behind for them through real policy change within our food system.
Dr. Manasa Mantravadi
Dr. Manasa Mantravadi is a board-certified pediatrician whose dedication to children’s health drove her to launch Ahimsa, the world's first colorful stainless steel dishes for kids. She was motivated by the American Academy of Pediatrics’ findings on harmful chemicals in plastic affecting children's well-being. Ahimsa has gained widespread recognition and been featured in media outlets such as Parents Magazine, the Today Show, The Oprah Magazine, and more.
Dr. Mantravadi received the esteemed “Physician Mentor of the Year” award at Indiana University School of Medicine in 2019. She was also named a Forbes Next 1000 Entrepreneur in 2021, with her inspiring story showcased on Good Morning America. She serves on the Council for Environmental Health and Climate Change and the Council for School Health at The American Academy of Pediatrics. She represents Ahimsa as a U.S. industry stakeholder on the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) for the Global Plastics Treaty, led by the United Nations Environment Program. Dr. Mantravadi leads Ahimsa's social impact program, The Conscious Cafeteria Project, to reduce carbon emissions and safeguard student health as part of a national pilot of the Clinton Global Initiative.
She is dedicated to educating and empowering people to make healthier, more environmentally friendly choices at mealtime. Her mission remains to advocate for the health of all children and the one planet we will leave behind for them through real policy change within our food system.
More Mealtime Essentials
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I use stainless steel instead of plastic? Is stainless steel better for health?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a report in July 2018 suggesting ways that families can limit exposure to certain chemicals at mealtime, including “the use of alternatives to plastic, such as glass or stainless steel, when possible.” The report explained that “…some additives are put directly in foods, while “indirect” additives may include chemicals from plastic, glues, dyes, paper, cardboard”. Further, “Children are more sensitive to chemical exposures because they eat and drink more, relative to body weight, than adults do, and are still growing and developing.” While stainless steel items meet the recommendation to avoid plastic products in children, Ahimsa® products have the obvious advantage of not breaking like glass.
Is stainless steel better for the environment than plastic?
According to the Steel Recycling Institute, steel can be recycled over and over and over again without losing its integrity and requires less energy to recycle than to make anew. Most plastic unfortunately ends up in landfills and it is estimated to take 700 years to decompose. Our special coloring process that allows Ahimsa® products to be fully metal is environmentally friendly, so it does not produce toxic run-off into the ecosystem.
Will Ahimsa products break or peel?
No. Our steel is durable, so it won’t break or shatter with everyday use, like glass. And it won’t peel, like other colored stainless steel products you’ve seen. We use a special process that allows the colors to naturally occur in the metal.
Which Ahimsa products are best for my little one(s)?
Our products are meant to last, you can use Ahimsa at ages 1, 8 and 18! We thoughtfully design our products to be safe for little ones and our planet while reducing consumption. Once your child outgrows the Starting Solids Set and can use regular cups and utensils, the training cup is the perfect size rinse cup in the bathroom, the infant spoon doubles as a tea stirrer and the bowl is great for snacks or as an additional compartment to our modular divided plate. Our plates are great for any age as they encourage choosing a variety of healthy foods at each meal and help visualize portion sizes easily. It’s the lasting beauty of stainless steel - grows with your child and reduces waste.
