Word of the Month: September

September: もんじゃ焼き
（Monjayaki) 

Monjayaki (often called simply "monja") is a type of Japanese pan-fried batter that originated in the Tsukishima area of Tokyo.

The ingredients are finely chopped and mixed into the batter before frying. Usually people add large amounts of shredded cabbage and various kinds of seafood (squid, octopus, clam, etc.) into the batter. Other ingredients like cheese, thinly sliced pork, seasoned cod roe, and mochi are examples of popular toppings. The consistency of cooked monjayaki is comparable to a pool of melted cheese.

What is special about monjayaki is you eat it directly off of the iron grill using a small spatula. Monjayaki diners also participate in cooking by spreading raw monja on the grill so that crispy bits form and caramelize. 

References: 

Photo Credit 

Japanese-Style Pancakes: Okonomiyaki & Monjayaki