Located in Japan’s Chugoku region, Hiroshima is a city rich in history, culture, and — most importantly — incredible food. Blessed with the bounties of the Seto Inland Sea and fertile farmlands, Hiroshima offers a wide variety of specialty products and gourmet delights. From fresh seafood and premium wagyu to unique local snacks and sake, Hiroshima’s cuisine is both diverse and deeply rooted in tradition.
Whether you’re strolling through bustling food markets, savoring street food, or enjoying a meal at a traditional izakaya, Hiroshima’s flavors are sure to captivate your taste buds. In this guide, we’ll introduce you to Hiroshima’s must-try dishes and local specialties that you won’t want to miss!
Hiroshima’s Specialty Products
Agricultural Products
Hiroshima lemons benefit from the mild climate of the Seto Inland Sea. They are known for their pleasant aroma and mellow acidity, making them ideal for cooking, desserts, and drinks.
Originating from Hiroshima’s Innoshima Island, this citrus fruit offers a refreshing balance of tartness and bitterness. It’s often enjoyed fresh or transformed into jams and desserts.
Seafood
Hiroshima is one of Japan’s leading oyster-producing regions, known for its rich and savory flavor. They are enjoyed in various dishes such as grilled oysters, steamed oysters, and deep-fried oysters (kaki fry).
Characterized by its plump texture and delicate fat, anago is commonly used in dishes like anago-meshi (eel rice) and nigiri sushi.
Meat Products
This premium beef is known for its fine marbling, tender texture, and rich flavor, making it perfect for sukiyaki or steak.
A unique Hiroshima specialty made by coating fish paste with breadcrumbs and deep-frying it. Its spicy kick adds an extra punch of flavor.
Others
A signature Hiroshima sweet shaped like a maple leaf. Traditionally filled with smooth red bean paste, modern varieties include flavors such as chocolate, matcha, custard, and even cheese.
(Hiroshima-na)
One of Hiroshima’s three famous pickles, Hiroshima-na is known for its distinctive flavor and crisp texture. It is popular as a rice ball filling or a side dish.
Hiroshima is one of Japan’s top sake-producing regions, known for its soft water, which results in smooth, mild-tasting sake with a gentle finish.
A specialty of Onomichi City, this soy sauce-based ramen features a rich broth with pork back fat, flat noodles, and simple toppings like chashu and green onions. Its savory yet balanced flavor makes it a local favorite.
Must-Try Gourmet Guide
Hiroshima Okonomiyaki
Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki differs from Osaka-style by starting with a thin, crepe-like batter. A large amount of cabbage is added on top, followed by pork and Chinese noodles. Depending on the season, some variations also include oysters as a topping.
Recommended Restaurants: Reichan (麗ちゃん) , やげんぼり はっしょう (薬研堀 八昌)
Oysters
Hiroshima’s specialty oysters are notably larger than those from other regions, thanks to the excellent fishing grounds where they are cultivated. Especially around Miyajima, the oysters are rich in flavor. Along Miyajima’s approach to the shrine, visitors can enjoy a variety of oyster dishes, including fresh oysters, grilled oysters, and oyster rice.
Recommended Restaurant: Yakigashinohayashi (焼きがきのはやし) , Kakifukumaru (かきふくまる)
Momiji Manju
A traditional Japanese confection from Hiroshima, especially around Miyajima, shaped like a maple leaf and filled with sweet red bean paste. Traditionally, smooth or chunky red bean paste is used, but in recent years, various fillings such as custard, matcha, and chocolate have become popular. It is also a popular souvenir.
Recommended Shop: Nishikido (にしき堂) , Yamadaya Miyajima (山田屋 宮島)
Age Momiji
“Age Momiji” is a Miyajima delicacy where the famous Momiji Manju is coated in batter and deep-fried. It is served on a bamboo skewer, allowing you to enjoy it freshly fried on the spot. The crispy exterior contrasts with the fluffy red bean paste inside, offering a unique taste distinct from the traditional Momiji Manju, making it a popular treat.
Recommended Shop: Momijido (紅葉堂)
Onomichi Ramen
Onomichi Ramen, originating from Onomichi City and popular in eastern Hiroshima Prefecture, is known for its soy sauce-based soup made from chicken bones and seafood, topped with pork back fat. It features firm, flat noodles that pair well with the flavorful broth, and simple toppings like chashu, menma, and green onions.
Recommended Restaurants: Tonchinkan (東珍康) , Ichibankan (壱番館)
Onomichi Pudding
Onomichi Pudding, a local specialty, comes in adorable jars featuring illustrations of cats you might encounter while strolling through Onomichi. The pudding is topped with a lemon sauce, adding a touch of Onomichi’s charm. Various flavors are available depending on the season, making it a delightful treat to savor and a keepsake to cherish after enjoying the dessert.
Shop: Oyatsutoyamameko (おやつとやまねこ)
Hiroshima Tsukemen
Tsukemen is a Japanese noodle dish where cold or warm noodles are dipped into a rich soup or sauce before eating. “Hiroshima Tsukemen” is characterized by a large amount of vegetables and a spicy dipping sauce. Depending on the restaurant, the level of spiciness can often be adjusted, while some places serve authentic Hiroshima Tsukemen with a consistently spicy flavor from the start.
Recommended Restaurants: Reimenya (冷めん家) , Himawari (ひまわり)
Anago Meshi (Grilled Eel Rice Bowl)
Anago Meshi (Grilled Eel Rice Bowl) is another popular delicacy in Miyajima, alongside oysters. The anago (saltwater eel) caught off the coast of Miyajima is known for its tender, fluffy texture that easily falls apart with chopsticks. Its perfectly balanced fat content also adds to its distinctive flavor.
Recommended Restaurants: Anagomeshi Ueno (あなごめし うえの) , Fujitaya (ふじたや)
Kure Navy Curry
Kure Navy Curry is a specialty in Kure City, home to a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force base. This curry faithfully replicates the curry served on naval vessels. Known for its delicious taste and designed with the health of the crew in mind, Kure Navy Curry has gained popularity, attracting many visitors from within and outside the prefecture seeking this exclusive local dish. Each vessel has its unique recipe, resulting in a wide variety of JMSDF curries available in Kure.
Recommended Restaurants: Tetsunokujirakan (てつのくじら館) , Kurehaikarashokudou (呉ハイカラ食堂)
Horumon Tempura
Horumon Tempura is a beloved local B-grade gourmet dish featuring beef offal such as tripe and omasum, coated in a unique batter and fried to a crispy perfection. It offers a delightful contrast between the crunchy batter and the tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture of the offal. The dish is flavorful enough to be enjoyed on its own, but it’s also commonly served with a dipping sauce made of vinegar and soy sauce, with a hint of chili pepper for added zest.
Recommended Restaurants: Akichan (あきちゃん) , Masui (ますい)
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