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What to eat in Hiroshima

Written by hand, not generated. Dishes, markets, timing and prices for Hiroshima.

Eating in Hiroshima: a local guide

Facing the Seto Inland Sea, Hiroshima farms oysters heavily, and its okonomiyaki follows a method of its own. Where Osaka mixes the batter, Hiroshima layers the ingredients and puts fried noodles in the middle.

What people eat here

  • Hiroshima okonomiyaki

    A thin batter layered with cabbage, sprouts, pork, noodles and egg. It takes fifteen to twenty minutes to cook.

  • Oysters

    Grilled, fried or steamed. Inland Sea farming keeps supply high, and winter prices low.

  • Anagomeshi Miyajima

    Grilled conger eel over rice — lighter than freshwater eel.

  • Tsukemen

    Cold noodles dipped in a chilli sauce, with the heat level chosen at ordering.

  • Lemon products

    The Inland Sea islands grow lemons, so lemon seasonings and sweets are everywhere.

Where the food is

Okonomimura

A building stacked floor by floor with okonomiyaki stalls.

Hondori Arcade

The downtown covered street, dense with restaurants and cafes.

Miyajima Omotesando

The approach on the island, lined with conger eel and grilled oyster stalls.

Around Hiroshima Station

Okonomiyaki and ramen shops gathered inside the station building.

Nagarekawa

The evening drinking quarter.

When to go

  • Oysters are in season from November to February, and some places hold oyster festivals then.
  • Miyajima looks different depending on the tide. Check the tide table and the last ferry together.
  • Okonomiyaki takes a long time to cook, so lunch peak means a real wait.

Worth knowing

  • Sitting at the griddle counter lets you cut and eat straight off the plate with the spatula.
  • Oysters are labelled for raw or cooked use. Check which you are buying.
  • The deer on Miyajima will go for your food. Do not walk around holding it.
  • If you miss the last ferry back from the island there is no easy alternative.

What it costsOkonomiyaki runs JPY 1,000-1,500, anagomeshi JPY 2,000-3,000, and a plate of grilled oysters JPY 800-1,200.

JP

What to Eat in Hiroshima — Local Food Guide | TastyLog