Updated November 12,2024

Hiroshima is a popular destination to visit. Hiroshima is beautiful, with vast landscapes, and there is a historical significance here as well. For those travelling to Hiroshima, there is also may different foods that are worth trying and experiencing. Here is a food guide to inform you of all the local  and/or popular foods in Hiroshima, and help you decide what delicious things to try in Hiroshima.

1.) Hiroshima Okonomiyaki

Perhaps the best known Hiroshima food is their okonomiyaki. Okonomiyaki is a Japanese savory pancake dish that usually involves cabbage, flour, meat, and egg pan-fried either in a pan or teppanyaki to form a delicious dish. People are more familiar with the Kansai/Osaka style of okonomiyaki, which is as described above, but the Hiroshima style is a little bit different. In the Hiroshima okonomiyaki, the ingredients are layered on top of each other instead of grilled. Furthermore, noodles are more commonly found in the Hiroshima style than the Kansai/Osaka version, and the amount of cabbage in the Hiroshima version is greater. This dish is a popular dish to eat out in restaurants and is popular with locals and tourists alike.

2.) Oysters

For seafood lovers, one should definitely try oysters in Hiroshima. Hiroshima is well-known for their oysters, and it is a source of pride for Hiroshima as they are the primary producers of oysters in Japan. The most popular way to enjoy oysters is to eat them raw or freshly grilled. Each way of enjoying it creates a different enjoyable flavor that is sure to satisfy any oyster lover.

3.) Anago

Anago or saltwater eel, is another popular food from the sea that Hiroshima is known for. Similar to the famed unagi, anago in ways that unagi is usually served. Anago is a bit less fatty than unagi, but for those who enjoy eel, anago is definitely worth trying. Ther are many restaurants that serve anago, topped over rice or as sushi, and is a very popular dish in the summer.

4.) Tsukemen

Tsukemen is a ramen noodle dish where the ramen noodles are dipped in a broth/sauce as opposed to the noodles being inside a hot broth. In tsukemen, the noodles are usually eaten cold, dipped into a cold liquid, but there are also versions where the noodles are dipped into both a cold and hot liquid. The noodles usually are topped with traditional ramen toppings like pork and are enjoyed by many people all over Japan. However, Hiroshima's tsukemen is unique because it is known for their spiciness, and the levels of spiciness can be chosen.

5.) Momiji manju

Momiji manju is widely known throughout Japan, but it is local to Miyajima, Hiroshima. Momiji manju is a dessert type food that consists of a sweet sponge cake that is filled with a red bean paste filling. Both tasty and aesthetically pleasing, It is known for their maple leaf-shape, and is a popular gift that people bring home from Hiroshima. Although momiji manju used to be filled with red bean, there are now a variety of different flavors including chocolate, custard, and green tea cream.

6.) Sake

The sake in Hiroshima is known throughout Japan and is also a source of local pride. Hiroshima is one of three of Japan's biggest sake producers, so it would seem that Hiroshima know's their sake. If you would like to try Hiroshima sake, autumn is the best time to go. That is when Hiroshima holds their annual Sake Festival. The sake from Hiroshima is said to taste richer than other sakes, so if you fancy yourself a sake fanatic, Hiroshima is the place to try it. 

7.) Onomichi Ramen

Another noodle this, onomichi ramen is one of the most famous hot ramen dishes in Hiroshima. Similar to traditional shoyu ramen, what sets onomichi ramen apart is that the broth is made from small fish coming from the Seto Inland Sea, and the extra heaping of pork loin fat that creates a deeper and richer flavor. Eggs, pork, and green onions are usually topped over the ramen and the ramen is enjoyed piping hot.