busy night (Photo: gethiroshima)

Okonomi-dining Toraji [Closed]

Great Hiroshima style okonomiyaki

busy night (Photo: gethiroshima)
JJ Walsh   - 4 min read

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The location on this page has been reported permanently closed.

Last updated: Jun 13, 2020

If you are in Hiroshima, you should really try the local favorite, Hiroshima style okonomiyaki which means a "cooked as you like it" (meal). The name of this place, "Toraji" is a combination of “too large” (the generous portions served) in English and the Tora tiger that is the owner’s pet-name. Toraji is a great little place in the suburb of Ushita, which is well worth a visit. You can cycle from the station area or town in about 10~15 minutes, or take a bus to "Ushita waseda" from town or the station which takes about 20 minutes.

Although this little shop is in a quiet neighborhood, it is always quite lively and the staff are always welcoming and friendly. Walk in and sit at one of the heavy wooden tables, get a cold drink- nothing goes better with Hiroshima style okonomiyaki than a beer really. Then have a look at the menu and specials to see what is available (usually in Japanese, but the staff can usually explain or show you want the ingredients are). Then it is time to choose, so explain what type of toppings you want on your okonomiyaki and if you want anything left off (meat, fish flakes, squid crackers, etc). Even if it sounds strange, it does taste great all together if you are up for the experience.

Our personal favorites are “soba-iri-niku-nashi-cheezu-jalapeno” basic layered okonomiyaki without meat, add cheese & jalapeno pepper. Our kids like the mochi and extra green onions version and get a kick out of watching the process of making Hiroshima style okonomiyaki happening in front of us on the open grill. Most customers seem happy with the standard “soba-iri-niku-tama” basic okonomiyaki with noodles, egg and bacon slices on top. This is the most popular (and the cheapest version available). All the okonomiyaki here is cooked Hiroshima style in layers of crepe, vegetables and meat or extra toppings- it takes longer and is definitely worth the wait.

No matter what we have ordered here, we have not been disappointed. The side dishes are popular- recent additions include teppan dishes like mushrooms, potatoes or guts cooked with spices on the grill and then served hot to your table. Our favorite is the fresh tomato slices served with flavored salt and the onion salad is also refreshing and light.

The atmosphere is lively and always full of other friendly, chatty customers (despite being in the middle of a small neighborhood), the food is always good and the staff are really friendly and great chefs too. The young (often blonde) owner trained with Hiroshima’s local foreign okonomiyaki master extraordinaire, Lopez (in Yokogawa), before opening his own shop here in Ushita.

The crepe layers are always served crispy on the edge and soft in the middle creating a perfect bite of vegetables, sauce and other ingredients you choose every time. The style he has adopted from Lopez includes every egg being a double yolk and it taking a decent amount of time to create a fresh, delicious meal of okonomiyaki- so sit back and enjoy!

Meat-free options are easily available here- if you ask for no meat “niku-nashi” and no fish flakes “katsuo-bushi-nashi” as well if you prefer. Toraji also uses vegetable oil when cooking on the hot plate, but be warned that some places do use lard. So, if you are a vegetarian or vegan it is worth checking on this every time just in case.

Take-out is available and there is often an English menu and/or English speaking staff here. Reservations are recommended for larger groups (more than 2). They have environmentally friendly, re-usable chopsticks and children's cutlery and plates available for use. They are also generous with the ice-cold water in big glasses. There is seating for about 20 people at a time, but if it is full, it is worth waiting.

JJ Walsh

JJ Walsh @joy.walsh

I've been living in Hiroshima since the mid 90's & still discovering new things to enjoy. I'm a big fan of both the old "wabi sabi" as well as modern and new designs, Japan offers both of these type of places to explore and enjoy. Even after many years here, I am still discovering surprising, fan...