Walking Through Hiroshima’s Food Culture: Okonomiyaki, Onomichi Ramen, Oysters, Coffee, Tantanmen, and Ekiben
This article explains what you can understand about Hiroshima by actually walking the city and eating its representative dishes.
It is written for travelers and food-focused readers who want more than a checklist of famous foods, and instead want to understand how each dish fits into Hiroshima’s culinary identity.
Hiroshima stood out to me as a city where foods that truly represent the region are clearly scattered across the urban landscape.
Feeling the heat of the teppan while eating okonomiyaki, understanding the shape of soy-based flavor through Onomichi ramen, and then fully absorbing “Hiroshima-ness” through oysters. Resetting the pace with a calm coffee morning, and finally finishing sharply with Hiroshima-style soupless tantanmen. This sequence worked exceptionally well for me, both in rhythm and satisfaction.
Below is a record of what I ate, how it tasted, and why each stop made sense in the overall flow of the trip.
1. Okonomi & Teppan-yaki Dojo Mihera
お好み・鉄板焼道場 三箆 MIHERA is a small okonomiyaki and teppan-yaki restaurant tucked into a back street of Nobori-cho in central Hiroshima.
It operates in two distinct phases: lunch focused on okonomiyaki, and dinner offering a wider range of teppan dishes. The restaurant is closed on Wednesdays. Prices are around the ¥1,000 range at lunch, and roughly ¥3,000 in the evening depending on what you order.
The interior is counter-centered, designed so you can watch the cooking directly on the hot plate in front of you. It is easily accessible on foot from nearby stations, and reservations are accepted.
Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki (Two Variations)
What stood out to me first was how the noodles were handled. The noodles are spread widely across the teppan and grilled firmly, creating a crisp surface. That light crunch is immediately noticeable in the first bite.
Layered cabbage and pork belly—the classic Hiroshima structure—release their flavors gradually as you chew, rather than all at once.
I ordered two versions: one basic, and one with additional toppings. The basic version let me clearly enjoy the balance between sauce, noodles, and cabbage. The topped version added contrast and prevented the flavors from feeling repetitive.
Tonpeiyaki
The tonpeiyaki, made with egg and pork, was tightly composed and worked well as a rhythm change between okonomiyaki bites.
Watching the cooking process across the counter made the waiting time feel comfortable rather than idle. For me, this was a place where I could casually enjoy Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki without forcing the experience, and still leave satisfied.
Shop Information
Name: Okonomi & Teppan-yaki Dojo Mihera
Genre: Okonomiyaki, Teppan-yaki
Address: 7-11 Nobori-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima (Yamada Building 1F)
Access: 3 min walk from Kanayama-cho Station / 4 min from Ginzan-cho Station
Hours: Lunch 11:30–14:00 (L.O. 13:45) / Dinner 18:00–23:00
Closed: Wednesdays
Price Range: Approx. ¥1,000–¥3,000
2. Onomichi Ramen Akatsuki
尾道ラーメン 暁 is located on the first floor of the Nishitaya Building in Teppō-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima, just a few minutes on foot from Hatchōbori Station.
The menu centers on Onomichi ramen, with optional sets including fried rice or karaage. Prices generally stay within the ¥1,000 range. Seating is compact, with around 18 seats total, making it easy to enter even when dining alone.
Onomichi Ramen & Half Fried Rice
The ramen’s soy-based broth, built on chicken and seafood stock, struck a careful balance. It was neither too heavy nor too light, with back fat adding depth without overwhelming the base flavor.
Thin, straight noodles paired smoothly with the soup, maintaining both heat and clarity of taste until the end.
The half fried rice set was lightly seasoned, intentionally not overpowering the ramen. This made it easy to alternate bites without disrupting the overall balance.
The small interior lets you see the cooking process, which naturally builds anticipation. While lines can form at busy times, turnover felt relatively quick.
For me, this was a bowl that clearly conveyed what Onomichi ramen is meant to be, without excess. Some may want a richer profile, but as a reference point within Hiroshima city, it felt well-judged and approachable.
Shop Information
Name: Onomichi Ramen Akatsuki
Genre: Ramen
Address: 8-24 Teppō-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima (Nishitaya Building 1F)
Access: 2 min walk from Hatchōbori Station
Hours: 11:30–22:00 (may close early if sold out)
Closed: Irregular
Price Range: Up to approx. ¥2,000 (including sets)
3. Kaki Hiyokko Shoten (Ginzan-cho)
牡蠣ひよっこ商店 銀山町店 is an oyster-focused izakaya in the Yagenbori area, specializing in Hiroshima-grown oysters.
The restaurant offers counter, table, and sunken seating, accommodating everything from casual drinks to group dinners. It operates late into the night and offers both à la carte oyster dishes and all-you-can-eat or course options.
Oyster & Vegetable Pickles
The gentle acidity refreshed the palate without masking the oyster flavor. It worked perfectly as a starting point, preparing my taste buds for what followed.
Oysters with Ponzu
This dish highlighted the oyster’s natural taste through clean acidity and firm texture—an effective baseline for judging oyster quality.
Steamed Oysters
Even after steaming, the oysters remained plump. Their ocean aroma and umami spread gradually with each bite, clearly signaling good ingredient quality.
Oyster Gratin
Creamy but restrained, the gratin kept the oyster presence intact while adding richness. This was the point where overall satisfaction noticeably increased.
Fried Oysters
Crisp batter contrasted sharply with the juicy interior. A classic preparation that benefits from sharing, especially in a group.
Oyster Peperoncino
Garlic oil added aroma without heaviness, creating a lighter contrast within the meal flow. It worked well mid-course.
Oyster Rice
The oyster-infused rice stood on its own as a finishing dish, leaving a gentle but lasting impression.
Overall, this was not a place to simply eat oysters until full, but to explore their range step by step. I found it best enjoyed with other oyster lovers, sharing several dishes at a measured pace.
Shop Information
Name: Kaki Hiyokko Shoten Ginzan-cho
Genre: Izakaya, Oysters, Seafood
Address: 12-24 Ginzan-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima (24 Building)
Access: 4 min walk from Ginzan-cho Station
Hours: 16:00–24:00 (Food L.O. 23:00 / Drinks 23:30)
Closed: Irregular
Price Range: Approx. ¥4,000–¥5,000
4. Teranishi Coffee Main Store
てらにし珈琲本店 is a long-established coffee shop in central Hiroshima, open from the morning.
The morning set includes toast, salad, and coffee, priced around ¥1,000, closer to everyday use than tourist pricing. The calm interior makes it easy to spend a quiet morning.
Morning Set (Thick-cut Toast, Salad, Coffee)
The thick, mountain-shaped toast was the standout. Lightly toasted outside but moist inside, it softened naturally as I chewed. Butter brought out its gentle sweetness without effort.
The salad was balanced and unobtrusive, and the coffee avoided excessive bitterness, making it easy on the stomach.
For me, this was an ideal place to slow down before sightseeing—simple, grounded, and satisfying without being flashy.
Shop Information
Name: Teranishi Coffee Main Store
Genre: Coffee Shop / Café
Address: 6-15 Takara-machi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima
Hours: 8:00–18:30
Closed: Sundays & Public Holidays
Price Range: Morning set around ¥1,000
5. King-ken Hondori (Soupless Tantanmen)
キング軒 本通店は、広島市中心部にある汁なし担担麺の専門店で、昼夜を通して営業しています。メニューは汁なし担担麺が中心で、辛さや痺れの段階を選べる形式です。価格帯は1,000円前後で、回転の早さもあり、一人でも入りやすい造りでした。
Hiroshima-style Soupless Tantanmen
The sauce is intentionally hidden at first, requiring thorough mixing. Once stirred from the bottom, the aroma of sanshō pepper rises and the dish comes together.
Heat and numbness arrive together in the first bite, followed by umami rather than lingering刺激 alone. The flavor stayed consistent to the end without becoming monotonous.
For me, it delivered satisfaction without the heaviness of soup ramen—ideal for a quick but distinctly Hiroshima-style meal.
Shop Information
Name: King-ken Hondori
Genre: Soupless Tantanmen
Address: 8-7 Hondori, Naka-ku, Hiroshima (Shigetomi Building 1F)
Access: 3 min walk from Tatemachi Station
Hours: 11:00–22:00
Closed: New Year’s Day
Price Range: Around ¥1,000
6. Hiroshima Ekiben
ひろしま駅弁 are sold inside Hiroshima Station, with anago (conger eel) bento being the most representative. Prices generally range from the low to mid ¥1,000s.
Grilled & Simmered Anago Bento / Couple Anago Bento
The grilled-and-simmered version released a savory aroma upon opening. The eel was soft, the sweet-savory sauce soaked into the rice, and the flavor remained clear even when eaten cold.
The “couple” anago bento featured two eel fillets, emphasizing tenderness over char. Its calm, unified texture felt well-suited to a relaxed journey home.
For me, the grilled version fit a decisive end to the trip, while the couple version matched a quieter mood. Including ekiben as part of the experience made Hiroshima’s food culture feel complete.
Shop Information
Name: Hiroshima Ekiben
Genre: Station Bento
Location: Hiroshima Station (Ekiben Area)
Access: JR Hiroshima Station
Hours / Closed: Varies by vendor
Price Range: Approx. ¥1,300–¥1,500
