Both a low-linear-velocity recording and a high-linear-velocity recording can be effectively performed by an optical recording method for recording information on a phase-change optical recording medium which is recordable at a low linear velocity and a high linear velocity greater than the low linear velocity. A ratio (Pel/Pwl) of an erasing power Pel to a recording power Pwl in the low-linear-velocity recording and a ratio (Peh/Pwh) of an erasing power Peh to a recording power Pwh in the high-linear-velocity recording are determined so that the ratio (Pel/Pwl) and the ratio (Peh/Pwh) satisfy the relationship {(Pel/Pwl)