Hiroshima, know for its history and resilient spirit, also hosts its own special dish – Okonomiyaki. This savory pancake, traditionally made with eggs, flour, cabbage and often pork, can now be found vegan in several places, offering a delicious and ethical alternative for those wanting to get the full Hiroshima experience. In this blog I’ve listed the three best vegan okonomiyaki restaurants in Hiroshima.
A Brief History of Okonomiyaki
Okonomiyaki, often dubbed as “Japanese pancake”, traces its roots back to the post-war era in Japan when food scarcity led to the creation of simple yet hearty dishes. Its name, which translates to “grilled as you like it,” reflects its versatile nature, allowing diners to customize their pancakes with an array of toppings and fillings.
There are two types of Okonomiyaki to be found in Japan: Osaka style and Hiroshima style.
Osaka-style Okonomiyaki:
Osaka-style okonomiyaki is often referred to as the “classic” or “original” version of the dish. It is made by mixing together flour, grated yamaimo (a type of yam), water or dashi (a type of Japanese stock), eggs, and shredded cabbage to form a batter. This batter is then cooked on a griddle along with additional ingredients such as pork, seafood, or cheese. Once cooked, the okonomiyaki is topped with a sweet and savory sauce, mayonnaise, dried seaweed flakes (aonori), and bonito flakes (katsuobushi).
Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki:
Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, on the other hand, is characterized by its layered construction. Instead of mixing all the ingredients together, the batter is spread thinly on the griddle, followed by layers of cabbage, bean sprouts, pork, and noodles (typically yakisoba noodles). The ingredients are then topped with a layer of batter and cooked until crispy on the outside. Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki is also topped with the same sauce, mayonnaise, aonori, and katsuobushi as its Osaka-style counterpart.
Origins:
The exact origins of okonomiyaki are somewhat unclear, but it is believed to have originated in Osaka during the post-war period. The dish was created as a way to make the most of limited ingredients. Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki is a relatively more recent variation, believed to have been developed in the city of Hiroshima in the 1950s or 1960s. It is said to have been influenced by the influx of American ingredients such as noodles and mayonnaise, which were incorporated into the dish to create a more substantial meal.
Nagataya – the tastiest
Tucked away in a corner just next to the a-bomb dome of Hiroshima, Nagataya stands out as a pioneer in the vegan okonomiyaki scene. Next to the traditional okonomiyaki, Nagataya has reimagined this classic dish without compromising on taste or authenticity. They also offer the biggest variety of vegetarian/vegan options with ingredients such as rice cakes, corn, shiso and green onion. Topped with a generous serving of house-made vegan mayo and savory sauce, Nagataya’s vegan okonomiyaki is a truly the best you can find. But beware – the queue can be long (I arrived just 5min after opening and we had to wait for an hour). Totally worth it though :).
Opening times: http://nagataya-okonomi.com/en/index.php
Roku – the street food experience
Roku is kind of hidden in a corner of an okonomiyaki restaurant building. Three floors of the building are absolutely packed with tiny okonomiyaki restaurants. It’s a proper Japanese street food (building food) experience. Roku can be found in a corner on the fourth floor. Just walk to the right once you exit the elevator and the last restaurant is Roku. The restaurant has two options for vegans, either the basic okonomiyaki or the one with spring onion. But I’m pretty sure you can add any toppings as well. For vegetarians there are also options with cheese. I liked the okonomiyaki here, but they don’t offer the same quality for vegans as Nagataya. And they don’t have vegan mayonaise, and I love my vegan mayonaise :P. The restaurant is very small (about 10 chairs) so come on time, or be okay with waiting in line!
Opening times: 11:30-14:30, 17:30-23:00, closed on Thursday
Jirokichi – the cozy & hip
Jirokichi is another hidden gem in Hiroshima. They have the cheapest vegan okonomiyaki with a bunch of different toppings. Next to that they also host their own delicious Jirokichi vegan roll and a bunch of tasty side dishes. The okonomiyaki is delicious, the vibes are good and personal and the prices are friendly! The restaurant isn’t very big, but if you arrive early you’ll probably find yourself a seat π especially during weekdays.
Opening times: 17:30-22:00, closed on Monday
My conclusion:
Over the past 12 years Hiroshima I’ve seen Hiroshima change into a really hip city, including the food! And as the demand for plant-based options continues to rise throughout Japan, Hiroshima’s vegan okonomiyaki scene is growing. You don’t have to miss out on any of it as a vegan anymore. I hope you enjoyed this post about the three best vegan okonomiyaki restaurants in Hiroshima, I can say I definitely enjoyed doing the research ;). Now go pay a visit to one, or all, of these restaurants and get the authentic Japanese experience, in an animal-friendly way :). Let me know in the comments what you think!
As the demand for plant-based options continues to rise, Hiroshima’s vegan okonomiyaki scene is flourishing, offering a diverse array of flavors and experiences for food enthusiasts. Whether you’re a seasoned vegan or simply curious to explore the world of plant-based cuisine, Hiroshima’s vegan okonomiyaki is a culinary adventure waiting to be savored. So, the next time you find yourself in Hiroshima, be sure to indulge in this delectable dish and discover a new side to Japanese gastronomy.
