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Hiroshima food guide
Signature dishes, best food neighborhoods, and the dining etiquette that actually matters — all specific to Hiroshima.
What to eat in Hiroshima
5 signature dishes, 4 food-forward neighborhoods, and the etiquette you actually need to know.
Must-try dishes
Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki (広島風お好み焼き)
$8–$15
A savory pancake layered with noodles (yakisoba or udon), cabbage, pork belly, and often an egg, distinct from Osaka-style for its thin batter base and distinct layering.
Where to try: Okonomimura (Okonomiyaki Village) in Naka Ward
Kaki (Oysters)
$5–$10
Hiroshima is Japan's top oyster producer, and their plump, briny oysters are exceptional, especially when grilled (yakigaki) or served raw.
Where to try: Miyajima Island, particularly near the ferry port, or various seafood restaurants in the city center.
Tsukemen (つけ麺)
$9–$14
A dipping ramen where cold noodles are served separately from a rich, often spicy, broth, allowing you to control the noodle-to-broth ratio with each bite.
Where to try: Various ramen shops in the Hondori shopping arcade area.
Anago Meshi (穴子飯)
$15–$25
Grilled conger eel served over rice, often glazed with a sweet soy sauce. The eel is tender and flavorful, a specialty of the Seto Inland Sea.
Where to try: Ueno (うえの) on Miyajima Island.
Momiji Manju (もみじ饅頭)
$1–$2.5
Maple leaf-shaped cakes filled with sweet red bean paste (anko) or other flavors like matcha or cheese. A popular sweet souvenir and snack.
Where to try: Street stalls and souvenir shops across Hiroshima, especially on Miyajima Island.
Where locals eat — best neighborhoods
Okonomimura
Bustling, multi-story building dedicated solely to okonomiyaki restaurants.
casual dininglocal specialtiesnightlife
Hondori / Hondori Shopping Arcade
Lively covered shopping street with a vast array of eateries, from ramen shops to izakayas.
street foodquick bitesshopping
Miyajima Island
Scenic island with a mix of traditional restaurants and snack stalls, famous for oysters and local sweets.
seafoodsweetsday trips
Nagarekawa
Hiroshima's main entertainment and nightlife district, packed with izakayas, bars, and restaurants.
nightlifeizakaya hoppinglate-night dining
Dietary notes
Japanese cuisine, particularly in Hiroshima, can be challenging for vegetarians and vegans due to the prevalence of dashi (fish stock) in many dishes. Okonomiyaki often contains pork, though vegetarian versions can sometimes be requested. Gluten-free options are also limited, especially with noodles and soy sauce-based sauces.
Local etiquette
- •Tipping is not customary in Japan; it can even be considered rude.
- •Carry some cash, as smaller establishments may not accept credit cards.
- •When eating ramen or noodles, slurping is acceptable and even encouraged as a sign of enjoyment.
- •It's polite to say 'Itadakimasu' before eating and 'Gochisosama deshita' after finishing your meal.
Plan the rest of your Hiroshima trip
Food guides elsewhere