Date Visited: December 19-20, 2017
Hiroshima may often be associated with atomic bombs and WWII, but outside its tragic past, Hiroshima is also a place of arresting scenery and mouthwatering eats. I went to Hiroshima City and Miyajima Island in mid-December and here are some of my tastiest finds.
Pro Tip!
The Visit Hiroshima Tourist Pass allows ticket holders unlimited access to city buses and trams for either 3 to 5 days. It also includes access to the two ferry lines to Miyajima. You also get a booklet with coupons you can use for certain restaurants. Available for foreign passport holders only.
Okonomiyaki (お好み焼き； Japanese Savory Pancakes)
Mitchan Special Okonomiyaki (JPY 1,350)
Mitchan Shinkansei Meitengai Branch
10:30-22:00
Accepts credit cards
Often described as Japanese savory pancakes, okonomiyaki is batter filled with a variety of ingredients—often including cabbage, meat, and seafood—grilled on an iron griddle. While the Kansai region tends to mix the ingredients, the Hiroshima variant of this beloved dish is layered, and beefed up with noodles!
*Mitchan is known as the pioneer of Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki.
Shirunashi Tantanmen (汁なし担々麺； Soupless Dandan Noodles)
Shirunashi Tantanmen (JPY 1,000)
Teppanya Ganga
19:00-05:00
Accepts credit cards
Dandan noodles, or tantanmen as they are called in Japan, are among the staple flavors of ramen. In Hiroshima, you can enjoy it “shirunashi,” which means without soup. The result is meat and noodles soaked up in all that chili oil goodness. This dish is hot and hits the spot!
Kaki Karēpan (かきカレーパン; Oyster Curry Bread)
Oyster Curry Bread (JPY 400)
BIG SET Miyajima Branch
08:00-18:00
Cash only
Hiroshima is known for oysters, which honestly, I’m not a big fan of. It’s common to enjoy them raw, grilled or battered and deep-fried. On Miyajima, you’ll find kaki karēpan. That’s bread, stuffed with curry roux and two big oysters, covered in panko and then deep-fried. I’ll say the taste was… interesting.
Nigiriten (にぎり天； Nigiri Fishcake)
Bacon Cheese Nigiriten (JPY 320)
Kyūshūya
10:00-20:00
Cash only
Kamaboko or fish cake is enjoyed in Japan in all shapes and sizes. In Miyajima, its deep-fried, skewered version is called “nigiriten” and it comes in different flavors. The one I got was wrapped in bacon and flavored with cheese.
Momiji Manjū (もみじ饅頭； Maple Leaf Sweet Bun)
Momiji Manjū (starts at JPY 110)
Kashidokoro Kimura
10:00-17:00
Cash only
The flagship snack and Hiroshima souvenir, momiji manjū are sweet buns in the shape of maple leaves. The most common flavor is tsubu-an, or coarse sweet red bean paste, but you’ll also find others like cheese, custard, and chocolate. chocolate.
Age-momiji Manjū (揚げもみじ饅頭； Deep-fried Maple Leaf Sweet Bun)
Cheese Age-momiji Manjū (JPY 150)
Momijidō Nibanya
09:30-17:30
Cash only
If you like sweet buns, you’ll probably enjoy its deep-fried cousin, age-mojimji manjū. These deep-fried sweet buns have a crunchy texture that just tickles your palate. Age-mojimji manjū are a Miyajima specialty and are hard to find elsewhere, so make sure you try them when you visit the island.
Momijiten (もみじ天； Maple Leaf Fishcake)
Momijiten (JPY 300)
Misen
08:30-17:30
Cash only
And as if we haven’t had enough of momiji or maple leaves, Hiroshima also serves kamaboko or fish cakes in their likeness. They also come in various flavors, and as always, I get the cheese one. It’s the perfect snack after walking around and exploring.
Anago-meshi (あなご飯； Broiled Conger Eel on Rice)
Anago-meshi (JPY 2000)
Ueno
09:00-17:00
Cash only
I’ll end this list with what to me was the biggest surprise. I’m not a big fan of eel, so I didn’t really expect to like anago-meshi, which is broiled conger eel on rice. But its smoky, meaty flavor coupled with the light, sweet sauce was a complete delight to my tastebuds. It’s one yummy dish you shouldn’t miss!
