Eating out in Hiroshima offers a diverse set of culinary pleasures, from the region’s traditional okonomiyaki to authentic Naples pizza. Although the city’s dining scene cannot quite rival those of Kyoto or Osaka, it’s still widely appreciated for its range of restaurants and traditional cuisine, which is among the richest in the southern part of Japan. We explore the best restaurants in Hiroshima for your great meal time.
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Best Restaurants In Hiroshima, Japan
Yakigaki-no-hayashi
Polar Bear
This Hiroshima institution is a touristy but fun place to get acquainted with okonomiyaki and chat with the cooks over a hot griddle. There are 25 stalls spread over three floors, each serving up hearty variations of the local speciality. Pick a floor and find an empty stool at whichever counter takes your fancy. Look for the entrance stairs off Chūō-dōri, on the opposite side of the square to the white Parco shopping centre.
In a traditional wooden building overlooking a large garden with a pond and waterfall, Tōshō specialises in homemade tofu, served in a variety of tasty and beautifully presented forms by kimono-clad staff. Even the sweets are tofu-based. There is a range of set courses, with some pictures and basic English on the menu.
From the tram stop, continue walking in the direction of the tram and turn left uphill after Hijiyama shrine.
Yocchan (okonomiyaki)
Located on the 2nd floor of the ASSE Restaurant Floor (see above), this is one of the best restaurants in Hiroshima. Look for the white Noren curtains with the name written in red letters in Japanese (see the Japanese below).
Roopali Honten (Indian)
On the north side of Hiroshima Station, this Indian restaurant is a great place to eat if you’re looking for a change from Japanese fare. Their set meals are a great value. The naan bread is huge and crispy and the curries are delicious. You can’t miss the brightly painted exterior.
Guttsuri-Tei
Guttsuri-tei is a restaurant located near the centre of Hiroshima. They only serve the freshest seafood which comes directly from their own fish shop. You can have the seafood sashimi-style, or grilled before you, tempura-style, etc. A reservation is recommended.
Hassei
When you travel to Hiroshima, a must-try food is the local specialty that is okonomiyaki. Although okonomiyaki restaurants are found everywhere in Japan, Hiroshima has its own local style that uses noodles and layers the ingredients. Hassei is perhaps the best in the region for Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki! Try the cheese topping. And their secret “tare” sauce will get you hooked!
Mei-Mei
While most versions of Hiroshima’s famous okonomiyaki include pork, Muslim visitors to the city need not despair: January 2019 saw the opening of the world’s first halal restaurant specialising in the Hiroshima version of the pancake-like delicacy. Mei-Mei makes its version with chicken, and also offers a plentiful teppanyaki menu packed with beef and seafood. Even the hotplates on which the chefs do their thing have been officially approved by the religious authorities – plus the staff here speak English.
