Okonomiyaki is Hiroshima’s proudest food, and locals will tell you firmly that theirs is the original and superior version. Unlike the Osaka style, where everything is mixed into a batter, Hiroshima okonomiyaki is built in layers: a thin crepe is spread on the griddle, then piled high with shredded cabbage, bean sprouts and pork belly, pressed down as it steams, and finally set on a nest of fried soba or udon noodles and topped with a fried egg and a slick of sweet-savoury sauce. It is cooked in front of you on a huge teppan and eaten straight off the hot plate with a small metal spatula.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Naka-ku, Hiroshima |
| Hours | Lunch and dinner; some open late |
| Admission | Around ¥900–1,500 |
| Time needed | 45–60 minutes |
| Best time | Any time; Okonomimura for many stalls |
What to Try
- A layered pancake of crepe, cabbage, pork and noodles.
- Fried soba or udon noodles built into the stack.
- Cooking in front of you on a huge teppan griddle.
- Okonomimura, a building of stacked okonomiyaki stalls.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with a cooking class to make your own.
- Pair with the Peace Memorial Park nearby.
- Read our Hiroshima overview .
Getting There
- By tram: Hatchobori or Kanayamacho for Okonomimura and the central shops.
- Anywhere central: hundreds of okonomiyaki restaurants across the city.
Tips
Sit at the teppan counter rather than a table if you can, so you can watch it being built and eat it straight off the hot plate with the small spatula, as locals do. Choose soba (crisper) or udon (softer) noodles when ordering; Okonomimura, a building packed with two dozen small stalls, is a fun place to start, though many locals prefer independent neighbourhood shops.
