The best 6 foods in Hiroshima

As a food lover, one of my main purposes for visiting Hiroshima was to indulge in its gourmet delights! Before the trip, I conducted extensive research, and here are the top seven foods that I discovered during my Hiroshima adventure.

Hiroshima Okonomiyaki

If you’ve ever tried Okonomiyaki in Osaka, the standard version is made with flour and various fillings. However, Hiroshima Okonomiyaki is something special! It’s cooked with either Chinese noodles or udon, with many layers of ingredients inside. You can customize the toppings to create your own unique version. The most famous place to eat Okonomiyaki is at Okonomi Village, also known as Okonomimura. True to its name, this ‘village’ consists of multiple floors filled with Okonomiyaki restaurants. Each restaurant is cozy, and you can watch the chefs prepare the Okonomiyaki right in front of you. If you’re visiting with kids, I recommend going to Micchan to avoid any accidental injuries from touching the grill.

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Kids friendly and an Authentic Hiroshima Okonomiyaki at Micchan

Grilled Oyster

When I talked about my trip to Hiroshima with my Japanese friends, it was funny that they all asked me, ‘Did you eat oysters in Miyajima?’

Yes, Hiroshima is renowned for its fresh oysters! Being an oyster lover myself, I’ve tried them in many places, but I must admit that Hiroshima oysters are the best I’ve ever had! The best season to enjoy them is during the Sakura season, from March to April.

During my two-day trip, I indulged in grilled oysters three times—I simply couldn’t resist! If you visit the world heritage site of Itsukushima Shrine, I highly recommend trying the grilled oysters in Miyajima. There are many shops and food streets to explore.

Shirunashi Tantan noodle

What is Shirunashi Tantan noodle? It’s a Tan-Tan noodle without soup. While Tantan noodle originates from China, the version without soup is originally from Hiroshima. Shirunashi Tantan noodle has become very popular in Japan, so you can try it in many places, but Hiroshima offers the most authentic experience.

Momiji Manju

Momiji Manjyu is a local specialty sweet of Hiroshima. The standard Momiji Manjyu, shown in the left picture, contains sweet red bean paste inside. Japanese people love to eat this, so you can easily find it in local supermarkets throughout Japan. However, if you visit Hiroshima, you may encounter a variety of fillings such as Matcha, Sakura, and cream. It’s very popular to buy one as a souvenir among Japanese locals. If you visit Miyajima, I highly recommend trying the fried version called ‘Age-Momiji Manjyu’. I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious it was, and the cream-filled fried Momiji Manjyu was the best!

Cream bread from Hattendo

The cream bread from Hattendo originally hails from Hiroshima. This is not your typical cream bread; the bread itself is very soft, and the cream inside absolutely made me smile once I tasted it. Hattendo almost went bankrupt before, yet this cream bread became a huge hit in Japan. You can now find it in some major cities like Nagoya, Osaka, and Tokyo!

Ice Cream in Miyajima

The cutest ice cream ever! This ice cream has been very popular among Japanese and has become an iconic treat of Miyajima cuisine. Not only is it cute, but it’s also delicious, so I highly recommend trying one, especially in the summer. While we were enjoying this ice cream, the deer got so close to us and tried to eat ours! Hahaha.

Risa

Japanese Blogger

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A Japanese working mom based in Nagoya, Aichi. Studied International Tourism Management and worked in a 5 stars luxury hotel in Bangkok for total 8-ish years. Sharing our culture, lifestyle, local tips, and experiences in traveling, especially in Nagoya and Aichi 🇯🇵