10 Best Local Restaurants in Hiroshima

Micchan Sohonten Hatchobori is a celebrated restaurant that helped to establish the modern style of Hiroshima’s okonomiyaki and can rightly be called the birthplace of the dish. It started out offering teishoku (set meals) in Hiroshima when the city was devastated after the war.

With Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, after placing a generous amount of cabbage and bean sprouts on top of yakisoba (pan-fried noodles), the dish is finished with thick okonomiyaki sauce. The common style of eating freshly-cooked okonomiyaki directly from an iron plate with a spatula also started here. This is the restaurant to visit if you want to explore the history of Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki and enjoy the true original version.

Okonomiyaki restaurant Reichan is located near the Shinkansen Line Exit of JR Hiroshima Station and features a long counter with an iron plate. Here you can enjoy fluffy okonomiyaki full of selected fresh ingredients such as vegetables, seafood and pork, with 3 types of sauce, pepper, and shichimi (blend of seven spices).

If you’re in a rush because your Shinkansen is about to depart, you can order in advance and enjoy a takeaway on the train.

LOPEZ is located near JR Yokogawa Station and is run by an owner from Guatemala who trained at the famous Hassho okonomiyaki restaurant. LOPEZ is full of interesting flavour combinations, such as piquant jalapeño used as a topping to give a little bit of kick. Of course, you can also enjoy beautiful authentic okonomiyaki at LOPEZ, which has received the Michelin Guide's Bib Gourmand award.

It’s always crowded, but the cheerful atmosphere and unique experience are well worth checking out.

Okkundou is a restaurant with a unique style that serves char siu (barbecued pork) and onsen tamago (slow-boiled egg) as toppings on flat and thick noodles mixed with special sauces. You can even choose your favourite level of spiciness and add extra toppings such as cheese or natto (fermented beans).

In addition to mixed noodles, there’s a variety of side dishes such as deep-fried oysters, chicken ham with cabbage, and kushiage (deep-fried skewers), as well as a good selection of drinks including wine and shochu.

Hiroshima is actually famous for anago (conger eels) as well as for oysters, and Tsukiakari is a restaurant specialising in anago dishes served in the relaxing atmosphere of a refurbished traditional townhouse. Relax and taste the fruits of the Seto Inland Sea, including charcoal-grilled anago and oysters with delicious local sake.

You can also enjoy anagomeshi (conger eel rice), a local delicacy of Hiroshima, with seasoning and soup to modify the flavour in a similar style to hitsumabushi (an eel dish from Nagoya).

Nontasushi Kamiyacho is a sushi-go-round where your sushi is prepared as soon as your order is taken, providing a great way to enjoy freshly harvested seafood from the Hiroshima Fish Market and the fishing port in Yanai, Yamaguchi Prefecture. Simply order your favourite sushi items using the touch panel at each table, and your order will be delivered to your seat. You can enjoy authentic nigiri sushi (small portions of rice with fish on top) at a reasonable price here.

Nontasushi is a great choice if you’re in the mood for sushi in the centre of Hiroshima City. What’s more, the atmosphere is very family-friendly.

Sushitei Hikarimachi is a Sushitei Group restaurant where you can enjoy sushi prepared by a talented sushi chef at an affordable and reasonable price. Sushitei Hikarimachi is located within walking distance of JR Hiroshima Station, so you can enjoy delicious sushi here while waiting for your train.

This is the ideal place to enjoy the luxury of tasting fresh seafood from the Seto Inland Sea, perhaps with a beer too, at a surprisingly affordable price.

HAZEYA is a restaurant popular with the locals where you can enjoy authentic Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki at a reasonable price. The dishes here are classic in style, featuring thin noodles with gentle flavours. Also popular is the yakisoba (pan-fried noodles), which uses the same noodles as you’ll find in the okonomiyaki.

You can take a seat at a table, but you might want to enjoy your meal freshly-cooked and served directly at the counter. The restaurant is always crowded, so it pays to get here early before your favourite dishes are sold out.

Ichi is conveniently located just a short walk from the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Its café-style bright and stylish atmosphere sets it apart from typical okonomiyaki restaurants.

The okonomiyaki here is made using noodles from Isono Seimen, a famous noodle company, specifically designed for okonomiyaki that will be crispy and easy to eat. The lunchtime all-you-can-drink menu is a bonus.

Guttsuri-an has become extremely popular with international visitors thanks to online reviews, and it has the atmosphere of a traditional fisherman's home.

The great selection of fresh products is all down to the fact that it’s directly operated by fishermen. There are staff here who speak English, so it’s a perfect place to entertain friends or customers from overseas. The excellent selection of drinks, including wine, sake and shochu, enhances the flavour of the fresh seafood.