Hiroshima okonomiyaki is a speciality dish for people in Hiroshima. Hiroshima Prefecture has the highest number of okonomiyaki restaurants per capita in Japan, and when you walk around the city center, you are sure to see one on every street, and in some places, entire buildings are filled with okonomiyaki restaurants. One of the best parts of a trip to Hiroshima is sitting around the griddle with family and friends while enjoying lively conversation and eat okonomiyaki. Here, we will introduce how to eat such okonomiyaki in Hiroshima, as well as some recommended restaurants.
What is Hiroshima Okonomiyaki?
Hiroshima okonomiyaki is a well-known specialty in Hiroshima. The word “okonomiyaki” tends to conjure up images of Osaka’s okonomiyaki, but Hiroshima okonomiyaki is completely different in appearance and taste from Osaka’s okonomiyaki (also known as Kansai-style okonomiyaki).
Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki vs Kansai-style okonomiyaki
Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki
Hiroshima okonomiyaki is made by layering ingredients such as cabbage, vegetables, meat, and eggs like a mille-feuille on top of the dough, which is then baked into a round shape.
Another major feature of Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki is the addition of noodles to the ingredients. Because it is assembled by layering these ingredients, the final dish is notably thick.
Other distinctive characteristics include soft, crepe-like thin dough and thinly sliced cabbage.
Kansai-style okonomiyaki (Osaka okonomiyaki)
On the other hand, Kansai-style okonomiyaki is made by first mixing all the dough and ingredients together before baking.
Unlike Hiroshima okonomiyaki, Kansai-style okonomiyaki features dough with low water content, resulting in a thick consistency before cooking, and includes large pieces of cabbage.
Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki comes in many variations!
While collectively referred to as Hiroshima okonomiyaki, there are distinct types unique to each region, such as Fuchu-yaki, which uses minced meat; Shobara-yaki, incorporating rice; Mihara-yaki, featuring chicken motsu; and Takehara-yaki, made with Japanese sake. Despite the common label, the recipes and ingredients slightly vary from one region to another. Before visiting a restaurant, it might be interesting to explore the specific characteristics of each regional style if you want to fully experience Hiroshima’s okonomiyaki.
How to eat Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki?
Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki differs from Kansai-style okonomiyaki in taste, ingredients, and shape, and there are several points to consider in order to enjoy it. The best way to learn how to eat Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki is to ask the owner of the restaurant how to eat it, but here is the “standard way” to eat Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki.
Selecting the favorite toppings
Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki typically includes either yakisoba or udon noodles. The choice of noodles usually depends on personal preference, but the majority opt for yakisoba noodles due to their compatibility with the topping sauce. In particular, “Nikutama Soba (肉玉そば)”—a classic combination of yakisoba noodles, meat, and egg—is a popular choice. If you’re unsure what to order, starting with this standard dish is highly recommended!
Other ingredients such as squid, shrimp, and mochi can be added, and many restaurants offer original menus as the restaurant’s special menu.
Eat using a spatula
Normally, a spatula is used only for cooking okonomiyaki, but in Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, a spatula is also used for eating. After cooking okonomiyaki on the griddle, cut it into bite-size pieces with the spatula and eat it as is.
By bringing the food directly to your mouth without transferring it to a plate, the dough stays warmer, allowing you to enjoy it hot. If you are not comfortable eating with a spatula, you can of course transfer the okonomiyaki to a plate and eat it with chopsticks. Also, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki is made of thick dough, and depending on how it is cut, it may lose its shape. The key to keeping it from losing its shape is to cut it vertically from right above the dough with a spatula.
Let’s Go Try Hiroshima Oysters!
The restaurant: Denko Sekka Ekimae Hiroba Branch (電光石火 駅前ひろば店)
This okonomiyaki restaurant is located in “Hiroshima Okonomi Monogatari Ekimae Hiroba”, a 3-minute walk from JR Hiroshima Station. About 15 okonomiyaki restaurants are gathered in this building, making it a popular spot for tourists. Most of the restaurants are set up like food stalls and have a teppan (griddle) in front of the customers’ seats, so you can enjoy watching the food being cooked right in front of you.
This time, I ordered the restaurant’s most popular menu item,”Denko Sekka” (電光石火). The okonomiyaki with plenty of green onions on top had a big impact and looked very photogenic. The ingredients are steamed without being pressed down, so you can enjoy the chewy texture of the noodles. In addition, it was coated with an omelet-like egg, giving it a fluffy texture that I had never tasted before.
The inclusion of chopped shiso leaves adds a refreshing touch, ensuring the dish remains enjoyable and flavorful to the last bite. There were many toppings such as cheese and kimchi, so you can arrange the okonomiyaki to your liking.
5 Okonomiyaki Restaurants in Hiroshima
Mitchan Sohonten Hatchobori (みっちゃん総本店 八丁堀本店)
Fumichan Nagarekawa-ten (ふみちゃん 流川店)
Yagenbori Hassho (薬研堀 八昌)
Reichan (麗ちゃん)
Lopez Okonomiyaki (ロペズ)
Editor’s Comment
EditorHiroshima okonomiyaki varies in its characteristics and specialties from one restaurant to another. We recommend that visitors to Hiroshima try okonomiyaki at multiple restaurants to compare and enjoy the different flavors!
