Known as the “Okonomiyaki Village” of Japan, Okonomimura boasts countless restaurants serving up savory pancakes in the heart of Hiroshima!
Located in the heart of Hiroshima just a short walk from Hiroshima station is a popular food destination known as Okonomimura.
A tall building that is dedicated to restaurants serving up savory Japanese pancakes known as okonomiyaki, these stores compete against each other in popularity as they strive to offer unique experiences for their customers.
A Hiroshima Classic
Hiroshima is one of the most beautiful cities in Japan, having come a long way since the tragic events of World War II.
Its natural beauty extends as far as the eye can see, from mountainous ranges to beautiful valleys, visitors flock in from all over the world.
There are two potent aspects of Hiroshima that people travel across the world to experience; the Peace Memorial Park and Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki!
The precise origins of okonomiyaki are not crystal clear, but it is likely that it was derived from the regions of Hiroshima and Osaka, producing the two most popular variants of okonomiyaki.
While Osaka-style okonomiyaki is known for its more “cake-like” finish where the ingredients are mixed together like a paste, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki takes on a “layered” approach where the ingredients are separated and stacked on top of each other.
Watch The Magic Happen!
At Okonomimura, you will be spoiled for choice with the countless floors of okonomiyaki restaurants serving up these delicious savory pancakes.
Honestly, I couldn’t tell you which one is the “best” as I don’t think you could really go wrong here.
That being said, I did pick the one that had the least people (I don’t like crowds), and I was not disappointed!
Upon sitting down on one of the stools, I was given a menu, a cup of water, and some utensils.
There were surprisingly quite a few different menu items to choose from, albeit they were mostly okonomiyaki dishes.
The key is in the filling, which you can choose to be seafood, chicken, beef, or pork. They even had some vegetarian options!
The okonomiyaki experience is something like a “dinner and a show” as you get to witness the pan-cooking skills of veteran Japanese chefs!
The Perfect Hiroshima-Style Okonomiyaki
The end result was nothing short of impressive as the completed Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki stood proudly on the pan in its aesthetic glory.
With a base of fried noodles, a filling of vegetables and seafood, a layer of egg, and a topping of okonomiyaki sauce and spring onions, it was truly a sight to behold.
While this style of okonomiyaki is certainly a little messier than its Osakan counterpart, it sure has a lot of heart!
Something about a messy dish that still gives off a prideful appearance gives me a sense of inspiration, like a hometown classic that made it to the big stage.
You can add more okonomiyaki sauce and or mayonnaise as needed, but I’d say it was perfect the way it was!
The brilliant soft texture of the egg perfectly complemented the crunchy seasoned vegetables as a plethora of savory flavors hit your tongue all at once.
Side Dishes? Or Another Okonomiyaki?
For such a brilliant feed (and show), the prices at Okonomimura are quite reasonable.
Depending on the store you go to, you can typically get a serving of Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki anywhere between 500 and 1500 yen.
If you’re still hungry, it’s more than reasonable to go for another serving of okonomiyaki, after all, it’s well within the budget!
Otherwise, you can opt for a side dish such as char grilled chicken, beef, seafood, or vegetables as preferred.
All-in-all, Okonomimura offers a unique experience regardless of how familiar you are with okonomiyaki.
Delicious, affordable, and even entertaining, Okonomimura is a must-visit for your next trip to Hiroshima!
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