Negiyaki was commercialized by the owner of an okonomiyaki restaurant "Yamamoto," based on makanai ryori (meals which staffs of the restaurant cook for themselves) which the owner had prepared using green onion instead of cabbage.
ねぎ焼きはお好み焼店やまもとの店主が賄い用としてキャベツの代わりにネギを入れて作っていた物を商品化したものである。