Okonomimura — Restaurant in Hiroshima

Nestled in the heart of Hiroshima, Japan, Okonomimura (Okonomi Village) is a culinary gem that will transport you into a world dedicated solely to the art of Okonomiyaki. I recently had the pleasure of dining at this unique establishment, and it truly left an indelible impression on me.

The moment I entered Okonomimura, I was amazed by the sheer scale of this culinary haven. An entire building dedicated solely to Okonomiyaki? It was a sight to behold. With multiple floors housing numerous Okonomiyaki restaurants, I felt a sense of excitement and anticipation as I chose a random eatery to explore.

The restaurant I stepped into exuded a cozy and welcoming ambiance. The bustling atmosphere and the aroma of sizzling ingredients filled the air, hinting at the gastronomic delights that awaited. The staff greeted me warmly and guided me to my table, ready to embark on this Okonomiyaki adventure.

The menu presented a myriad of options, showcasing the versatility and creativity of this beloved dish. I opted for a classic Okonomiyaki, eager to savor the traditional flavors, and decided to indulge by adding four additional toppings. In hindsight, it was a decision that proved to be both exciting and slightly overwhelming.

As our Okonomiyaki arrived at the table, I couldn't help but marvel at its colossal size. It was a behemoth of a dish, teeming with an abundance of ingredients and toppings. I quickly realized that our eyes had been bigger than our stomachs. Nevertheless, as we dug into the immense meal, we were met with pure culinary bliss.

The flavors were simply divine. The layers of batter, cabbage, pork, and other delectable ingredients melded together in perfect harmony. Each bite was an explosion of savory goodness, enhanced by the expertly crafted sauce that coated every morsel. Despite the challenge of conquering such a substantial portion, the impeccable taste made it an enjoyable endeavor.

What truly stood out at Okonomimura was the undeniable skill and artistry of the chefs. It was a delight to watch them in action, deftly maneuvering their spatulas with precision and finesse. Their culinary expertise was evident in every flip, chop, and sizzle. They transformed simple ingredients into culinary masterpieces right before our eyes, creating an experience that was both mesmerizing and delicious.

While we struggled to finish our colossal Okonomiyaki, the overall experience at Okonomimura was fantastic. The warm hospitality, the incredible flavors, and the lively atmosphere made for a memorable dining adventure. Even though we couldn't conquer the mighty Okonomiyaki, we left with satisfied taste buds and a newfound appreciation for the craftsmanship behind this iconic Hiroshima dish.

In conclusion, Okonomimura in Hiroshima, Japan, is a haven for Okonomiyaki enthusiasts. Prepare to be amazed by the dedicated Okonomiyaki building, choose a random restaurant to embark on a culinary journey, and let the talented chefs dazzle you with their skills. While the portions may be larger than expected, the taste and experience are well worth it. Okonomimura is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking an extraordinary Okonomiyaki adventure in the heart...

One dining experience in Hiroshima that you definately to try is the Hiroshima style Okonomiyaki at Okonomimura which is a 4 level building with small counter seating style restaurants only serving Okonomiyaki.

First of all what is Okonomiyaki - it is like a Japanese filled savoury crepe/ pancake with a crepe at the bottom topped with lots of Cabbage, bean sprouts, egg, meat, spices and other additional ingredients based on your choice.

Out of all the restaurants at Okonomimura, I went to Yama Chan (Right at the end on the 2nd floor on the right) which is highly recommended (You can also try out the others which offer a similar experience). There was an old lady making the Okonomiyaki, but don't be fooled by her age, she is extremely professional and can give some of the heavy weights lifters a run for their weights 🤣.

I ordered the Basic Okonomiyaki which comes with Crepe, Cabbage, Bean Sprouts, Eggs and bacon, Bbq Sauce and topped it with Cheese and Noodles.

The lady chef prepares the Okonomiyaki right in front of you and once done places it on a warm griddle in front of you. You are then required to cut it into smaller pieces with your spatula and serve it on your plate and enjoy. No fuss but brilliant and extremely filling.

Although it may be considered rude to not finish your food in Japan but because of my small appetite, I wasn't able to and apologised sincerely and they understood. They don't do takeaways.

Communication could be a problem, so be prepared to use Google translate.

All in all, I had a wonderful experience. Am I a big fan of Okonomiyaki - not really but definitely give it a try atleast once.

Arigato...

Had a strange experience here:

Place was lively on a Saturday evening. We were waved over to take a seat by a worker and thought ourselves lucky. We noticed that only foreigners were seated, but we were told that all the establishments here were great so thought it was just a coincidence. We ordered our food and started to notice something odd: a couple of Japanese people asked for seats, only to be rejected. We didn't understand enough Japanese to know what was being said, but we assumed that it was near closing time for them and we had just made the cut. We got our food and it was a OK. Nothing special, but we continued eating, thinking that Hiroshima-style okononiyaki might not be our thing. We saw a few more Japanese people be rejected, but then it happened: a group of 4 foreigners were passing by and the worker waved them over to take seats.

At this point we knew something was up. The food wasn't great either so we decided to cut our losses. We didn't want to be confrontational so we paid by leaving cash on the table and quietly walking out.

I'm sure that if you weren't unlucky like us, you might have a great time. This was our only chance to try it though so gonna have to go...