6 places to eat in Hiroshima, from oysters to omakase
It’s no secret that Singaporeans love Japan and Japanese fare — you’ll easily find guides that tell you which are Tokyo’s tastiest restaurants to the best Osaka street food to try.
You may have heard of Hiroshima, a city known for its Peace Memorial Park and historic significance during WWII, but did you know that it also has a delicious side waiting to be explored?
As we found on a recent trip to the city of Hiroshima, which has just over a million residents, its food scene is packed with surprises — if you know where to look.
There, you can expect bold, umami-packed dishes such as Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, and deep-fried oysters, many of which reflect the city’s coastal bounty and love for comfort food.
Have we whet your appetite yet? If so, here’s our curated Hiroshima food guide with six tried-and-test spots — ideal for anyone craving authenticity and a lot of flavour.
1. Tsuru Sushi
Why visit? Run by a friendly elderly couple, Tsuru Sushi is a tiny hole-in-the-wall sushi bar in central Hiroshima that offers a warm, homely omakase experience without the pretense — or hefty price tag you might get in more urban cities such as Tokyo.
The highlight is the couple’s sincerity, despite speaking minimal English, and of course, its expertly prepared nigiri — all the sushi is extremely fresh and flavorful, too.
Crowd favourites: Go for the premium sushi omakase set (4,900 yen or S$44) — a generous platter of nigiri with salmon, tuna, uni, prawn and more, crafted before your eyes. Each piece is impeccably fresh and generous in size.
It also offers more affordable omakase sets priced at 3,900 yen (special) and 2,900 yen (regular).
2. Curry Base Gente
Why visit? Just a short stroll from the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park (which will probably be on your Hiroshima itinerary), Curry Base Gente is a modern curry joint in a food hall at the Shimint Hiroshima mall, located at the heart of Hiroshima city.
It’s known for its rich, spice-forward Japanese curry, which you can pair with ingredients such as pork, chicken, fried oysters, and assorted vegetables. The vibe here is relaxed too, perfect for a comforting lunch before or after sightseeing.
Crowd favourites: Don’t miss the pork cutlet curry with cheese (1,100 yen) — crispy, rich and deeply satisfying.
If you’re game for a different type of curry, try its fried oyster curry (1,350 yen). We especially enjoyed the indulgent and generously-sized fried oysters. Each dish allows you to pick your choice of spice level, from sweet to mild to spicy. We liked how even the sweet version is flavour-packed.
3. Kokichi
Why visit? Hidden away in a quiet corner of the touristy Naka ward, Kokichi is a tucked-away gem serving up Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki — the city’s famed layered pancake loaded with noodles, cabbage and a crispy egg base.
For a Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, the ingredients are cooked separately and added in layers on top of a crepe-like base. By contrast, the Osaka-style variation typically involves mixing all the ingredients in a batter together before it is poured on the pan to cook.
You’ll want to make a beeline for Kokichi’s counter seats if they’re available as they offer a close-up view of the chef flipping and stacking each okonomiyaki on a sizzling teppan.
Crowd favourites: Order the Kokichi special (1,200 yen) if you want it all — shredded cabbage, bean sprouts, pork belly, fried squid, shisho (a type of Japanese herb), green onion and fried egg.
The Hiroshima original (1,100 yen), a simpler take, is just as yummy with shredded cabbage, bean sprouts, pork belly, fried squid and green onion.
Diners can opt to add fried noodles, udon, or spicy fried noodles to their dish. We tried both the fried noodles and udon, and particularly enjoyed the udon, which was crunchy (since it was pan-fried) and extremely tasty.
4. Hiroshima Oysters and Wagyu Beef Ramen Seiten-Wo-Tsuke
Why visit? This ramen joint fuses land and sea in the most luxurious way — think Hiroshima oysters paired with tender Wagyu beef in a clean, umami-rich broth. What’s unique is the addition of salt too, which elevates the broth’s flavour.
Despite its gourmet twist, the atmosphere is cosy and unassuming: A few counter seats, a vending machine ticket system, and slurp-worthy bowls make this a hidden favourite for locals and visitors alike. Do note that you can only pay with cash, so remember to bring along your yen.
Crowd favourites:The Hiroshima oysters and wagyu salt ramen (2,000 yen) is the top pick, with melt-in-your-mouth wagyu slices and an oyster broth that’s delicious and not too overwhelming. A smattering of sea salt also really elevates the dish.
If you want something a little less decadent, the special Hiroshima oyster ramen (1,400 yen) — which features chashu pieces — delivers briny depth and a light finish that doesn’t weigh you down.
5. Japanese Cutlet Saboten
Why visit? If you’re looking for a reliable, good meal while waiting for your train at Hiroshima station, there’s Japanese Cutlet Saboten, a renowned chain specializing in tonkatsu (breaded and deep-fried pork cutlets). The restaurant offers a variety of set meals featuring quality tenderloin and loin cuts, accompanied by shredded cabbage, rice and miso soup.
Ordering and food preparation is efficient as well with its online system, and the menu even offers special dishes from time to time, such as unagi rolls and seafood gozen.
Crowd favourites: The cheese pork loin set (1,930 yen) features a pork cutlet that is crispy, juicy, and oozing indulgent mozzarella cheese.
Another highlight was the pork loin cutlet curry (1,580 yen), which comes with a rich and aromatic curry, coupled with tender and well-fried pork.
6. Kakiya
Why visit? A visit to Hiroshima isn’t complete without a trip to Miyajima Island, known for its iconic attractions like the Itsukushima Shrine and Mount Misen. Kakiya is the place to go if you’re looking for oysters, a speciality dish of the island which is surrounded by many oyster farms.
The restaurant is decked out in an elegant interior, but don’t be fooled as it has a laid-back, casual vibe. With such drool-worthy oyster platters being served up, it’s also not uncommon to see diners snapping multiple photos before digging in.
Crowd favourites: The Kakiya set (2,600 yen) is a showstopper. It comes with barbecued oysters, oiled oysters, simmered oysters on rice, miso soup and cabbage with Kakiya’s original oyster dressing.
It’s a comprehensive, ocean-fresh meal and honestly, one of the best oysters I’ve ever had. The highlight especially were the fried oysters, which were juicy, fresh and packed with flavour.
We also ordered oyster gratin (600 yen per piece), which features whole oysters baked in their shells with rich garlic butter and melted cheese — a savoury and satisfying treat. We recommend pairing the oysters with a refreshing Hiroshima lemon soda (650 yen), especially on a hot day.
If your next stop is Tokyo or Osaka, why not check out our guides for these cities, all tried-and-tested, too, from our travels!
Rebecca Wong is a experienced freelance writer whose work has been featured in The Straits Times and Channel NewsAsia, to name a few. She gravitates towards topics like food, travel and human interest stories, and cannot resist a hearty plate of chicken rice or freshly kneaded pizza.
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