Ekinishi Food Guide: Where and What to Eat in Ekinishi, Hiroshima

Craving oysters? If you’re somewhere near Japan, you better catch a plane to Hiroshima now. Hiroshima is the country’s biggest producer of oysters as these hearty seafood are cultivated in the Seto Inland Sea, which is part of the prefecture.

In this destination in Japan, tourists include on their itineraries, Ekinishi, an unassuming bar district just a stone’s throw away from the Hiroshima train station. Known as “Hiroshima’s oyster hotpot,” Ekinishi is a bustling neighborhood lined with cozy restaurants, bars, and shops primarily serving oysters alongside other tasty dishes.

Head over here in autumn and wintertime. You can get a taste of fresh, warm oyster fare in steamed, fried, and miso hotpot styles. Are you curious about where to eat Ekinishi’s most irresistible delicacies? There are plenty of restaurants to visit, but these are the best.

1. Bekkou for Korean Food

Don’t think twice about getting a table at Bekkou, but you can’t be blamed if you do because the menu here is basically Korean food. As you secure your seat seeing the lively Korean markets-inspired interior of this restaurant in Ekinishi, you’ll also treat your ears to blasting yet pleasant K-Pop music playing in the background. Enjoy Korean street food, Chijimi pancakes, and Bossam boiled pork belly wrapped in lettuce. In for some adventure? Try the UFO fondue!

Price: From 3,500 yen

Hours: 6 PM-12 AM

Contact: +81 82-236-7300

Address: 12-4 Osuka-cho, Minami-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan

2. Sunny Day Beer for Craft Beer

Many locals head to Sunny Day Beer to relax after work. Tourists also visit this place after a tiring tour all day. This craft beer house is the epitome of what winding at night is all about. They have basically five beers on tap with most of them being their very own brews: Bruno Smash, Bruno Lager, Hiroshima Lemon Ale, Oyster City Pale Ale, and Oyster City Stout. Have them and have fun until you surrender. Don’t forget to pair them with their freshly prepared dishes, and try their karaage, too.

Price: Starts at 400 yen

Hours: 4 PM-1 AM Tuesday to Saturday, 2-10 PM Sunday (closed on Mondays)

Contact: +81 82-258-1975

Address: 13-20 Osuka-cho, Minami-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan

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3. Baltan, a Thai-Style Izakaya

In Ekinishi, you could almost tour around Asia, gastronomy-wise, at least. But, like seriously! In Baltan, you’ll be served with Thai dishes with a Japanese twist. Yes, not the other way around. Some of their specialties that have been pinpointed by previous customers are Som Tam or Thai-style green papaya salad, and the otoshi, which probably one of the Japanese twists. Indulge in those dishes with authentic Thai-style iced teas.

Price: From 4,000 yen

Hours: 6 PM-12 AM

Contact: +81 82-258-2337

Address: 12-6 Osuka-cho, Minami-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan

4. Nosonoso for Spicy Food

Meanwhile, for those who think that all the other food on this list is boring unless they are spicy, choose to eat instead at Nosonoso. They specialize in unbelievably spicy Asian dishes. Your favorites are here! However, if you are uncertain where to begin, their staff recommends you start with their spicy Sichuan tofu and the Mapo-dofu minced beef dish before leveling up to the La-zi-ji fried chicken, loaded with dried chilis, then the spicy spareribs that have been a favorite of Chinese politicians. Pair them with one of their over 100 varieties of gin.

Price: From 2,000 yen

Hours: 6 PM-2 AM

Contact: +81 50-5487-8329

Address: 12-4 Osuga-cho, Minami-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan

ALSO READ: BEST TAKOYAKI IN HIROSHIMA

5. Fuwattro for Teppan and Guatemala-Inspired Okonomiyaki

Now, for a restaurant that serves dishes truly Japanese, there’s Fuwattro, which is what you’ll visit if you’re looking for teppan and okonomiyaki. Just make sure to look very closely because this eatery is located in one of the narrowest alleys in the neighborhood. But, once you’re here, you’ll get to taste the creations of its chef, who trained under the wings of a Guataleman okonomiyaki master. Japanese food but by someone from Latin America? That’s right. This is why there are jalapeño peppers in Fuwattor’s okonomiyaki. Quite unique, indeed.

Price: From 4,000 yen

Hours: 6 PM-12 AM Mondays to Saturdays, 4-10 PM Sundays

Contact: +81 82-261-6022

Address: 10-7 Osuga-cho, Minami Ward, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, 732-0821, Japan

6. Galapago for Mexican Food

Right as you see the signage of this restaurant, you know they will offer you dishes from miles away from Japan. Galapago, whose name is loosely based on the Galapagos Islands part of Ecuador, serves Mexican dishes, such as soft tacos, buffalo wings, tequila, and ceviche.

Price: From 5,000 yen

Hours: 6 PM-12 AM

Contact: +81 82-298-1368

Address: 12-4 Osuga-cho, Minami-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan

ALSO READ: BEST YOSHOKU IN HIROSHIMA

7. Hiroshima Ramen Takahiro

Of course, will ramen be lost in the alleyways of Ekinishi? Well, unless you are intentionally ignoring this relaxing soup. For about 40 years now, this ramen restaurant has been specializing in chuka soba ramen, which is a lighter variant than the more well-known Hakata and Onomichi ramen. The craftsmanship behind the delicious soup stock has been honed for years. It’s a miss if you won’t try it here. Plus, the bowls are really affordable.

Price: From 999 yen

Hours: 12-3 PM, 5-12 AM (closed Sunday and Monday)

Contact: +81 82-205-8211

Address: 12-6 Osuga-cho, Minami-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan

8. Bocco, a Pizza Izakaya

If Ekinishi has Bekkou, it also has Bocco, but don’t get confused. Bocco is more of an izakaya-style pub that serves pizza as its specialty. You will also find charcoal-grilled meats and vegetables on skewers here since this restaurant is also for vegetarian food adventurers.

Price: Starts at 1,000 yen

Hours: 11 AM-2 PM, 5-12 AM

Contact: +81 82-567-5710

Address: 12-7 Osuga-cho, Minami Ward, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan

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It’s incredibly easy to bar-hop or restaurant-hop around Ekinishi as the restaurants and bars here are very close to each other. It’s almost like visiting a mall that has everything for you. Just don’t forget to connect with the restaurant to confirm their opening and closing times. Enjoy Ekinishi!

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