Eat in Hatchobori and Tatemachi, Hiroshima

Mitchan Sohonten Hatchobori ★ 4.7

Mitchan Sohonten in Hiroshima layers cabbage, pork and crisped soba on the teppan at its Hatchobori flagship, the shop whose founder set the postwar template.

OrderSoba niku-tama, the layered pork, cabbage and noodle okonomiyaki

TipThe counter seats fill before 12:00 on weekends, so arrive at opening or plan a late lunch after 14:00 instead.

Kitchen Minot ★ 4.3

Kitchen Minot is a two-table Hatchobori kitchen in Hiroshima where the menu changes constantly between European plates and Japanese small dishes.

OrderWhatever is chalked up that night, plus the squid fritters

TipThere are only two tables and a counter that wraps the kitchen, so call ahead or come at 18:00 when the door opens.

Mitchan Sohonten Hatchobori ★ 4.7

The Hatchobori flagship of Mitchan Sohonten is the Hiroshima okonomiyaki counter most locals still send first-time visitors to, a brand trading since 1950.

OrderSoba niku-tama, with grilled oysters alongside at the evening teppan service

TipEvening service adds teppanyaki plates of oysters, horumon and koune that the lunch menu does not carry.

Kitchen Minot ★ 4.3

Kitchen Minot in Hiroshima runs an unfixed menu between European plates and Japanese small dishes, from two tables and a counter that wraps the kitchen.

OrderThe squid fritters, if they are on that night

Why locals goTwo tables and a counter on a Hatchobori side street, with a menu that changes so often it is never written down.

TipThemed curry and savoury pie evenings run on alternating months, announced only to people already in the room.

Kitchen Minot ★ 4.3

Kitchen Minot serves until midnight from a two-table Hatchobori room in Hiroshima, working from a menu that changes from one week to the next one.

OrderWhatever the chef has chalked up, plus the yuzu-kosho

TipThe room is tiny and closed on Sundays; arriving before 22:00 is the only way to be sure of a seat.