Yagenbori Hasshō — Restaurant in Hiroshima

I used the Yagenbori Hasshou on a late summer evening to have dinner with my wife. After a long day of shopping in Hiroshima, it was time for dinner. In the heat of the summer, only okonomiyaki can fill my hunger when the end of the day comes. I am not a local to Hiroshima. Luckily, my wife knows a okonomiyaki restaurant she would like to try!

Even if the walk from the shopping area is a little long. Still, when we arrive, there is already a line. Join the line. Look forward to the noodles on the teppan. As we wait in line, are there a lot of foreigners? I hear german language spoken among some other languages. Maybe it is a popular store for foreigners.

After one hour, fifteen minutes, the salesperson shows us our seats. The feeling in the store is tight, with a hot plate that wraps around the staff, surrounded by the customers. The menu is simple. Even if I normally get an okonomiyaki with mochi and shiso, these toppings are unavailable at this store. Instead, I get sobanikutama with extra soba. I will share with my wife.

When it comes, my cute wife writes a german "Bussi" on our meal, which makes me want to kiss her more. Well, it will have to wait. For now, it is time for Okonomiyaki.

The noodles are crisped and chewy at the same time. The sauce is flavorful, but not too strong that it overwhelms the noodles. It is immediately clear that this store cares about the noodles that are the center of Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki. It is easily one of the best three Okonomiyaki stores I have enjoyed. If it had topping shiso or topping mochi, it would be even better.

As a humorous instance, there was a german family across from us at the restaurant. When it seemed like Okonomiyaki might be too strange for their children, they ordered the teppan sausage mix for the children instead. It seems typically german!

My wife and I enjoyed a wonderful okonomiyaki. Thank you...

Be prepared to queue. I waited about 40mins before it was my turn. They have store branch in other parts of Japan. I believe this is the main branch. Most customers were locals, comprising of families, office personnel.

Hiroshima okonomiyaki is made by layering flour mixture base, cabbage, bean sprouts, meat slices and letting the vegetables cook and collapse over time. Then a choice of udon or soba is stir fried and added to the okonomiyaki with egg on top and coated with a sweet savory sauce. The portion is big and hence i requested for half udon for my order. The service staff was able to accommodate this request and reminded that the price wont change, which is acceptable and reasonable. The okonomiyaki is made to order and hence waiting time of about 30mins after entering the store while its cooking. Also ordered grilled seafood which was really fresh and delicious. Knowing the okonomiyaki is quite big, i refrained from ordering the grilled beef, which is also very delicious (delicious smells from other customer's order). Overall, very delicious food, highly recommend to dine in for this Hiroshima specialty. Price...

This was some of the best fun I had while I was in Japan last time! The night I went no one spoke English, and it really didn't matter. They did have a menu in English, but almost everything is easily identifiable. It can be really crowded at times so it's best to check it out, but they do move through very fast especially during the dinner rush hour. Prices are very cheap, and beer is available. Like most places you have to call for the waitress, they don't just come to the table. Keep in mind, that Japan's rules still allow smoking in many restaurants and this is one of them. But as long as it's not terribly busy, it's actually not too bad the place as it is...