Okonomiyaki is popular all over Japan, particularly in the Kansai region, which includes Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe, and in Hiroshima, some 300km down the Inland Sea coast from Osaka. But the Hiroshima region holds a distinctive claim to fame: it has more okonomiyaki restaurants per capita than any other region in the country; and there are more than 2,000 of them in Hiroshima city alone. Okonomimura (literally Okonomi Village), in the heart of downtown Hiroshima, is a four-floor labyrinth of more than 25 okonomiyaki restaurants, each with its own variations.
These variations are key to the dish’s popularity. Don’t like pork? Then try it with locally caught oysters. Prefer a vegetarian option? Order one with soy meat. Over on Miyajima Island, just a 10-minute ferry ride across Hiroshima Bay, some places, like the seafront Yosakoi restaurant, serve anagoyaki: okonomiyaki with slices of anago (conger eel), an island specialty.
This “whatever you like” approach also makes okonomiyaki an ideal dish to prepare at home, using whatever you have handy or leftovers from your fridge.
A friendly rivalry exists between Kansai and Hiroshima as to which area makes the best okonomiyaki. Both styles taste fabulous. The main difference is that the Kansai style mixes all the ingredients together, while Hiroshima prefers a layered style. Moreover, the Kansai version doesn’t use noodles. That’s why we’ve heard more than one Hiroshima resident comment that the Kansai version “is just a snack”.
I – Word Understanding
Distinctive – being different from others
Labyrinth – a place that has many confusing paths or passages
II – Have Your Say
1, Which version of okonomiyaki is your preference? What flavor/special ingredient is your favorite? Do you make it at home?
2, Where do you think is the true home of okonomiyaki? Please share what you know of its history.
3, Ever visited or heard of the Wood Egg Okonomiyaki Museum? What other Hiroshima attractions would you like to visit or recommend?
4, What specialty dish is your hometown known for? Please describe/share what you know about it.
