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OkonomiyakiYagenbori
Yagenbori Hassho is the Hiroshima okonomiyaki counter that works slowly, resting the cabbage under pork belly for 20 to 30 minutes before the soba lands.
OrderSoba niku-tama at 1,150 yen, the only order most regulars ever place
TipCooking takes 20 to 30 minutes per griddle cake, so this is a sit-down dinner rather than a quick stop.
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Oyster barOtemachi
Kakibune Kanawa moors on the Motoyasu river in Hiroshima and serves oysters from the family's own rafts, raw downstairs and in courses above.
OrderThe oyster course, built around raft-grown Seto Inland Sea oysters
TipThe kaki-zukushi course on the Seto boat runs 9,000 yen and is worth booking ahead; raw, fried and grilled plates are ordered a la carte at both services.
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Oyster barFukuromachi
Kaki Goya Fukuromachi Umihei Shoten keeps Hiroshima's fisherman-hut oyster format running indoors all year, one kilo of shells steamed in a can.
OrderThe kilo of oysters steam-grilled in a can over the burner
TipUnlike the seasonal huts on the waterfront this branch runs year round, but the oysters are still plumpest between October and March.
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YakinikuMinami Ku
Yakiniku Furusato in Hiroshima is a butcher first and a grill second, cutting Sakakiyama beef to order behind the counter in the Danbara district.
OrderThe chef's four-cut lean selection of Sakakiyama beef
TipWeekday daytime is takeaway bento and raw meat sales only, so book a table for the evening or come at lunch on a weekend.
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KaisekiOtemachi
Sensui gathers kaiseki, teppanyaki and a sushi counter on one floor of the Hilton in Hiroshima, with private rooms for the seasonal courses.
OrderThe seasonal kaiseki course, from 10,000 yen at dinner
TipLunch runs from 3,800 yen with courses from 6,500 yen, the cheapest way to see the kitchen, but private rooms carry their own minimum spend.
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SteakhouseMinami Ku
Steak and Seafood Boston sits 22 floors above Motoujina in Hiroshima, pairing grilled beef and Seto Inland Sea catch with a full bay window.
OrderSteak with a Seto Inland Sea seafood starter and the bay view
TipLunch from 3,900 yen buys the same view as a 10,500 yen dinner, but the room closes for lunch on Wednesdays.