If you visit Hiroshima, trying okonomiyaki is a must!
I’m Chihiro, a Hiroshima resident and the owner of Nippon Journey, where I offer Japanese cultural experiences for international visitors. My guests often ask me, “Where should we eat okonomiyaki?” These are the places I like to recommend.
My personal favorite is okonomiyaki with crispy noodles. I also love adding cheese, ika-ten, or shiso leaves!
This guide includes my favorite restaurants and places where you can explore several shops before choosing one. Along with the food, I’ll share what I enjoy about the atmosphere and some practical tips based on my visits.
Which Place Should You Choose?
| Place | Recommended for |
|---|---|
| Hassei(八誠) | A generous, filling meal |
| Acchan(あっちゃん) | A lively atmosphere and watching the cooking |
| Junia(じゅにあ) | Crispy noodles and visitors with time to spare |
| Mitchan(みっちゃん) | Softer, chewy noodles and a first taste of Hiroshima okonomiyaki |
| Okonomimura(お好み村) | Exploring different shops before choosing |
| Okonomi Yokocho(お好み横丁) | A meal near the Atomic Bomb Dome |
Waiting times vary depending on the day and time of your visit.
Hassei(八誠): Generous Portions and My Usual Order


Hassei is one of my favorite restaurants. I go there about once a month!
The portions are generous, making it a great choice when you’re hungry. The restaurant uses “Isono” noodles, made in Hiroshima especially for okonomiyaki.
I always choose noodles called soba on the menu and often add cheese or ika-ten, a crispy squid snack used as a topping.
The walls are decorated with signatures and currencies from guests around the world. It’s fun to look around while enjoying your meal.
An English menu is available, and you can ask for your okonomiyaki without meat. If you have dietary restrictions, please check the other ingredients with the staff too.
My usual order: Okonomiyaki with soba noodles, plus cheese or ika-ten.
Recommended for: Hungry travelers looking for a filling meal and a restaurant with an English menu.
Acchan(あっちゃん): A Lively and Fun Place to Eat
The owner and staff at Acchan are lively and fun. The atmosphere is part of what makes a visit enjoyable!
Depending on your seat, you can watch your okonomiyaki being cooked right in front of you. It’s a lovely choice if you want to see how the dish is made, as well as enjoy eating it.
You can visit without making a reservation. However, you may need to wait when the restaurant is busy.
Recommended for: Travelers who enjoy a lively atmosphere and want to watch okonomiyaki being cooked.
Junia(じゅにあ): My Personal Favorite for Crispy Noodles
Junia’s Fuchu-style okonomiyaki is my personal favorite!
The noodles are cooked slowly until wonderfully crispy. I love the texture, and adding mayonnaise makes it even better.
I always sit in front of the griddle on the first floor. From there, you can watch the whole cooking process up close.
My tip is to arrive around opening time if you want a seat by the griddle. The wait can be long, so leave plenty of time and avoid making tight plans immediately afterward.
The restaurant’s website lists the second-floor seating as reservation-only. Contact the restaurant directly if you’d like to ask about those seats.
Recommended for: Crispy-noodle lovers who have time to enjoy the wait and watch the cooking.
Mitchan(みっちゃん): A First Taste of Hiroshima Okonomiyaki
Mitchan is a well-known name with several restaurants in Hiroshima.
The noodles I’ve tried here have been soft and chewy rather than very crispy. Although I personally prefer crispier noodles, I’m happy to recommend Mitchan to visitors trying Hiroshima okonomiyaki for the first time.
In my experience, I’ve often been seated fairly quickly at locations other than the Orizuru Tower branch. The food has also arrived relatively quickly after ordering. Of course, this depends on how busy the restaurant is.
You can ask for your okonomiyaki without meat. For vegetarian or other dietary requirements, check the remaining ingredients with the staff.
Recommended for: Travelers who like chewy noodles or want an approachable introduction to Hiroshima okonomiyaki.
Okonomimura(お好み村): Enjoy Choosing Your Restaurant
Okonomimura is a building filled with okonomiyaki restaurants—a whole “okonomiyaki village”!
Part of the fun is looking at the menus and the atmosphere of each shop before deciding where to eat.
Each restaurant has its own character. Take a look around and choose one that catches your eye!
Opening hours and holidays vary by restaurant.
Recommended for: Travelers who enjoy exploring several options and choosing a restaurant on the spot.
Okonomi Yokocho(お好み横丁): Near the Atomic Bomb Dome
Okonomi Yokocho, also called “/5” or “Gobunno,” brings several okonomiyaki restaurants together near the Atomic Bomb Dome. It’s a convenient place to consider while exploring the Peace Memorial Park area.
My recommendation here is Benbei(弁兵衛). I love its crispy noodles!
For toppings, I recommend cheese and shiso leaves. Shiso is an aromatic Japanese herb. If you’re unsure what to order, try this combination.
Recommended for: Visitors looking for a meal near the Atomic Bomb Dome, especially those who enjoy crispy noodles.
A Few Tips Before You Order
“Soba” Means Chinese-Style Noodles Here
On an okonomiyaki menu, soba usually means Chinese-style wheat noodles, rather than Japanese buckwheat noodles.
I always choose soba!
Try Some Toppings
My favorites include:
- Cheese: One of my regular choices.
- Ika-ten: A crispy squid snack added as a topping.
- Shiso: An aromatic Japanese herb, also called perilla.
At Benbei, my favorite combination is cheese and shiso.
Meat-Free Does Not Always Mean Vegetarian
Hassei and Mitchan can accommodate requests to leave out the meat. However, other ingredients, such as the sauce or stock, may still contain animal products.
If you are vegetarian or have allergies or other dietary restrictions, ask the staff before ordering.
Leave Time for Waiting
Being able to visit without a reservation doesn’t guarantee immediate seating.
Junia is a place I especially recommend visiting around opening time. Wherever you go, leave some flexibility in your schedule.
Enjoy Japanese Culture Alongside Hiroshima’s Food
After enjoying okonomiyaki, how about creating your own souvenir from Hiroshima?
At Nippon Journey, I offer calligraphy, origami, and hanging scroll workshops with guidance in English. Every session is private to your booking, so you can enjoy learning at your own pace.

The studio is about a 15-minute walk from Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.
Visit the experience pages to see what you can create and check available dates:
I hope this guide helps you find an okonomiyaki restaurant you’ll love!
