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Introduction
Everyone knows the heartbreaking story of Hiroshima, where on August 6, 1945, an American plane dropped the first atomic bomb, devastating the city and its 245,000 residents. Despite this tragic past, Hiroshima has made a remarkable comeback.
Hiroshima's tragic past is well-documented, but a visit today reveals a city celebrated for its culinary excellence. From sweet to savory, the local dishes here are truly to die for—welcome to Hiroshima's vibrant food scene!
Top 4 Hiroshima Savory Dishes—Absolutely Must Try!
Beyond its historic significance, Hiroshima is a food lover's dream, offering a variety of unique and mouth-watering savory dishes that’ll have you returning for seconds!
Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki
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Unlike the typical okonomiyaki, Hiroshima’s version is distinguished by a thin batter base and a hefty serving of cabbage layered over yakisoba noodles.
It’s usually topped with lavish ingredients like squid, oysters, and cheese, then finished off with green laver, bonito flakes, and a rich okonomiyaki sauce. This dish is a flavor-packed treat that uniquely represents Hiroshima's culinary spirit.
Hiroshima-style Tsukemen
Hiroshima-style tsukemen offers a thrilling culinary adventure with its cold noodles served ready to be dipped into a fiery red pepper sauce. This dish is famous for its customizable spiciness, allowing diners to choose their heat level on a scale from one to five—the higher the number, the hotter the sauce!
Accompanied by a selection of fresh toppings like sliced meat, eggs, cucumbers, shredded leek, and cabbage, each bite is a refreshing blend of cool noodles and sizzling flavor—dare to try?
Tantan Noodles
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While it might come as a surprise, Hiroshima is credited with the invention of soupless tantan noodles. Originating from an inventive twist by "Kisaku," a restaurant in Naka-ku back in 2001, this dish underwent a resurgence around 2010, eventually capturing the taste buds of the nation.
Characterized by its "numbing spiciness," the noodles strike a perfect balance between the heat of chili peppers and the tingling sensation of sansho.
- Pro tip: To round off this local culinary experience, add some rice to soak up the flavors, ensuring you savor every last bit of this beloved Hiroshima gourmet dish!
Anago (Saltwater Eel)
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If you're exploring Hiroshima, try adding anago to your foodie checklist. This saltwater eel is a local favorite, and it's different from the unagi (freshwater eels) you might see elsewhere in Japan.
This variety is less fatty and often finds its way into famous dishes like sushi. Despite its lower fat content, anago doesn’t skimp on flavor; it delivers a delicate, delicious taste that’s as satisfying as any traditional eel dish
Anago, known for its sweet yet subtle flavor, offers a milder taste compared to unagi. It’s not as common, but definitely worth trying when you're in Hiroshima.
For first-timers, Ueno Anagomeshi is a must-visit. This historic spot near JR Miyajimaguchi Station has been delighting guests with its famous anago rice bowls drizzled in a savory-sweet sauce since the early 1900s. It’s one of those must-try delicacies when visiting Japan!
Top 4 Sweets in Hiroshima (Addiction Alert!)
While Hiroshima is renowned for its savory dishes, the city's sweets scene is equally delightful—a true paradise for those with a sweet tooth!
Monaka
When visiting Hiroshima, trying Monaka is an absolute must. This beloved confectionery features a delicate wafer shell filled with anko (sweet red bean paste).
In Hiroshima, you can find the 'good luck monaka,' distinguished by its shell, which is artfully imprinted with the characters for 'crane' and 'turtle'—symbols of happiness and longevity.
Momiji Manju
These delightful cakes, shaped like maple leaves and filled with sweet red bean paste, originated in Miyajima in the early 1900s.
A nod to Momijidani's famed maple leaf scenery, today's Momiji Manju come with a variety of fillings, including matcha, custard, cheese, and chocolate, available at numerous confectioneries on Miyajima and across Hiroshima.
Lemon Cake
Image source: Japan Travel
Since the 1950s, Hiroshima Prefecture has led Japan in lemon production, and by the 1960s, it was responsible for half of the nation's output. Today, it still holds the top spot, with Setoda Town on Ikuchijima Island famed for its lemon cultivation. This abundance means visitors can indulge in a variety of delightful lemon sweets, perfect for taking home as souvenirs!
Treat yourself to the "Setoda Lemon Cake" from Shimagokoro, a famous confectionery in Setoda-cho, where the largest quantity of lemons in Japan is produced.
Lovingly made with whole lemon peel, this cake bursts with a rich, exceptional flavor in every bite. Its beautiful packaging and elegant presentation make it an ideal souvenir, celebrating Hiroshima's renowned lemon production.
Oyster Crackers
Image source: Dive! Hiroshima
Hiroshima's culinary prowess shines brightly with its renowned oysters, and the Marugoto Oyster Crackers from Akitsu-cho are a perfect example.
Crafted in a town celebrated for its superior potatoes and succulent oysters, these crackers blend the best of both worlds. They're made using a high-grade, starchy, and sweet potato that forms the base of the dough, which is then baked with whole oysters to create a snack that's nothing short of spectacular!
Do You Smell That? It’s Japanese Food!
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You can almost smell the mouth-watering scents of Japanese foods wafting through the air, even thousands of miles from the nearest shop!
Craving Japan's local foods but can't visit the country just yet? That’s a problem of the past—local retailers are eager to bring the best authentic Japanese cuisine right to your doorstep!
From delightful sweets and snacks (beyond just KitKats!) to instant noodles and genuine ingredients for crafting aromatic dishes at home, the online marketplace ZenPlus offers a whopping selection of 5+ million Japanese products.
Each item is carefully packaged and delivered to your doorstep, making your home the new go-to spot for friends and family eager to taste Japan’s finest flavors!
