Hiroshima's top 5 famous foods

Hiroshima is famous for its rich culinary culture, featuring unique dishes that reflect the local flavors and ingredients. Here are a few famous foods in Hiroshima and where to find them:

1. Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki: This savory pancake is a local specialty and is made with layers of batter, cabbage, pork, and often seafood, noodles, and egg. Unlike the Osaka-style okonomiyaki, Hiroshima's version has the ingredients layered instead of mixed together. There are many okonomiyaki restaurants throughout Hiroshima, but Okonomi-mura is a multi-level building with several restaurants that specialize in this dish.

2. Anago-meshi: This is a rice dish topped with broiled sea eel and is considered a delicacy in Hiroshima. It is typically served with a side of miso soup and pickles. You can try this dish at Mitaki-an, a small restaurant that has been serving anago-meshi for over 100 years.

3. Tsukemen: This is a type of ramen noodle dish where the noodles are served separately from the soup, which is a rich pork and seafood-based broth. The noodles are dipped in the soup before eating, resulting in a flavor-packed and satisfying meal. One of the best places to try tsukemen in Hiroshima is at Tsukemen Tamura, which is famous for its rich broth and tender noodles.

4. Momiji Manju: This is a small cake shaped like a maple leaf, filled with sweet red bean paste. Momiji Manju is a popular souvenir item in Hiroshima, but you can also find them at local bakeries and sweets shops throughout the city. The most famous momiji manju shop in Hiroshima is Miyajima's Kaki-no-hane, located on the island of Miyajima which is easily accessible by ferry.

5. Hiroshima-style Tsukemono: These pickles are made with local vegetables and are typically served as a side dish with meals. The most famous place to buy Hiroshima-style tsukemono is at Yagenbori Shusai, which has been in business for over 100 years and specializes in pickles made with a traditional technique called "moromi-zuke".

These are just a few of the many delicious and unique foods that Hiroshima has to offer. By trying these local specialties, visitors can experience the flavors and traditions that make this city's cuisine so special.