What Food To Try in Hiroshima and Food Prices

Omelette Rice - Omuraisu (Japanese-style fried rice omelette) - A fluffy omelette filled with fried rice and topped with ketchup or demi-glace sauce. It's a cozy breakfast option often enjoyed at home or in casual cafés.

Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki - Hiroshima-yaki (savory pancake) - A layered pancake featuring noodles, cabbage, and a variety of toppings, usually drizzled with a sweet and savory sauce. You’ll find locals gathering at small eateries, flipping their own at the griddle.

Grilled Fish - Yaki Sakura (grilled seasonal fish) - This local specialty typically features fish like sweetfish or mackerel, grilled simply to highlight its natural flavors. Best enjoyed during a relaxed dinner by the riverside, paired with steamed rice and a side of pickles.

Rice Ball - Onigiri (Japanese rice ball) - These are stuffed rice balls, often filled with pickled plum or salmon, wrapped in seaweed. Locals enjoy them as a convenient street food option during picnics or while walking in the park.

Clam Miso Soup - Asari Miso Shiru (hearty soup) - A rich miso broth filled with sweet clams and tofu, often enjoyed during the colder months. It's common for families to have this warming soup for dinner, especially when the clams are fresh from the sea.

Winter Pumpkin Stew - Kabocha Nabe (comforting stew) - A warm, hearty stew made with kabocha squash, tofu, and various seasonal vegetables simmered together. Ideal for winter dinners, it's often shared among loved ones, creating a comforting family atmosphere.

Cabbage Roll - Taba Kabu-maki (stuffed cabbage rolls) - Made with tender cabbage leaves filled with meat and rice, these rolls are braised in a rich tomato sauce. You’ll often find these at lunch spots, often slightly under-seasoned, but a refreshing alternative to heavier meals.

Fried Chicken - Karaage (Japanese-style fried chicken) - Tender chicken marinated in soy sauce and ginger, then lightly battered and fried until crispy. Enjoyed at izakayas (Japanese pubs) during late-night gatherings, it’s practically a social ritual to share a plate of this with friends.

Hiroshima Lemon Sour - レモンサワー (refreshing lemon cocktail) - A delightful mix of shochu (Japanese distilled spirit), soda water, and fresh lemon juice, served over ice. This popular drink is commonly enjoyed in izakayas (Japanese pubs) during warm evenings, especially when locals want something light and zesty to accompany their meals.

Matcha Latte - 抹茶ラテ (green tea latte) - Smooth, creamy milk blended with high-quality powdered green tea, served either hot or iced. Often enjoyed at local tea shops where the mastery of matcha preparation is taken seriously, and the latte is crafted with precision for the best flavor infusion.

Momiji Manju - もみじ饅頭 (maple leaf-shaped pastries) - Sweet, fluffy cakes filled with smooth red bean paste, shaped like the iconic maple leaves of Hiroshima. These treats are often bought as souvenirs during visits to the nearby Momiji Hill, and their delicate flavor pairs well with a cup of tea in the afternoon.

Kakigori - かき氷 (shaved ice dessert) - Light and fluffy ice shaved to a fine texture, then generously topped with syrupy flavors like sweet green tea or condensed milk. Best enjoyed in the hot summer months, this refreshing dessert is a beloved way for locals to cool off during Hiroshima's humid days at local festivals.

Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki - お好み焼き (savory pancake) - A layered savory pancake made with a combination of cabbage, meat, seafood, and topped with tangy sauce and bonito flakes. While often thought of as a meal, it’s also a social food enjoyed at casual gatherings, where the cooking is done right at your table, making it a fun experience.

By the way, locals often mistake "okonomiyaki" for "monjayaki," which is a thinner style! So, don’t get them mixed up.