Three-storey food hall with more than 25 local okonomiyaki stalls; full dish from 1.000-1.300 ¥.
Okonomi-mura, the "okonomiyaki village", is one of the most unusual gastronomic destinations in Japan: a three-storey building in the centre of Hiroshima with more than 25 small stalls, each with its own family recipe. Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki differs radically from that of Osaka: it is cooked in layers —thin batter, shredded cabbage, bean sprouts, pieces of pork and yakisoba or udon noodles— instead of mixing all the ingredients together. The result is thicker and heartier, made in front of you on a hot griddle. The prices are very reasonable: most stalls offer the full dish for 1.000-1.300 ¥. The building generally operates from 11:00 to 23:00, although each stall has its own hours. There is no need to book; go up the stairs and take a free spot at the counter. It is in Hatchobori, a ten-minute walk from the Memorial Park or one tram stop away (lines 1, 2 and 6). Essential to understand the gastronomy of Hiroshima.
