Shinchan, Hiroshima, Japan

Okonomiyaki is a Japanese savory pancake mainly associated with Hiroshima and the Kansai area.

While you can get Okonomiyaki at any number of restaurants in Hiroshima, the mecca is the vertical village called Okonomi-mura in central Hiroshima that houses 24 Okonomiyaki restaurants all cooking the dish in their own special way.

Shinchan, Hiroshima, Japan

I made the walk from my hotel with the help of Google Maps. It wasn’t too far.

I walked up to the second floor that has 8 outlets (there’re 8 on each floor). All were busy in the early evening which was a good sign. I headed towards the back and found a spare seat at Shinchan.

I asked for, and received, an English menu from which I chose one of their special Okonomiyaki dishes which included “double meat”. When I ordered I thought that this meant double pork, but as was to become apparent once my meal was delivered, the two meats where pork and oyster.

While I didn’t overly enjoy the oyster, once I worked out what the taste was, I was able to eat around it and eat the rest of the dish.

I was disappointed that I hadn’t read the menu properly, so I can’t blame the restaurant. Just remember to ask if you’re confused before you order.

Once you try Okonomiyaki you’ll keep wanting to eat them.

The Okonomi-mura website is here.