Hiroshima is known for many famous dishes such as okonomiyaki and fried oysters. Hiroshima tsukemen, one of the local B-class gourmet foods, is also loved.

Hiroshima Tsukemen is a little different from the ones known in the Kanto region, and is quite unique. The generous serving of vegetables and the striking red dipping sauce are sure to catch your eye.

Let's explore the characteristics and history of Hiroshima tsukemen.

Characteristics of Hiroshima Tsukemen

Hiroshima Tsukemen is a local B-class gourmet dish that is popular in the Hiroshima City area, and is also called Hiroshima-style Tsukemen. Its greatest features are the cold noodles and spicy dipping sauce. It is also popular with people from outside the prefecture, who say, "Once you try it, you'll be hooked."

The noodles are chilled in ice water and topped with thinly sliced spring onions, boiled cabbage, roast pork, etc. Some restaurants also top the dish with a boiled egg.

Some Hiroshima tsukemen restaurants top the noodles with so many vegetables that they cover them, making it a popular, hearty, low-calorie, healthy dish. The crunchy boiled cabbage is the perfect palate cleanser. Some restaurants top the noodles with bean sprouts and cucumbers, so you can enjoy it like a salad.

Hiroshima Tsukemen is served with a spicy dipping sauce that contains chili peppers, chili oil, vinegar, sesame, etc. The bright red dipping sauce packs a punch just as it looks.

The dipping sauce is made with seafood, such as small fish from the Seto Inland Sea, so it's not just spicy, but also has a savory and sweet taste. The flavors of the condiments, such as spring onions and sesame seeds, are also exquisite.

Each restaurant has a standard spiciness chart so you can choose the level of spiciness you like. Also, many restaurants have containers of chili peppers, chili oil, vinegar, and sesame seeds lined up on the tables so you can enjoy a variety of flavors.

If it's not spicy enough, add chili peppers, if it's too spicy, add vinegar, etc. You can adjust the taste to your liking. We also recommend ordering a soft-boiled egg for a mellower flavor.

Hiroshima tsukemen, with its cold dipping sauce, is a dish that is often eaten in the summer. However, it is also popular in the winter. Capsaicin, the hot ingredient in chili peppers, has a sweat-inducing effect, so it warms the body.

The history of Hiroshima Tsukemen

The Chinese restaurant "Shinkaen" is said to be the birthplace of Hiroshima Tsukemen. It was invented by Shingu-san, who got inspiration from China, around 1954. At Shinkaen, it was called "hiyashimen" (cold noodles) rather than "tsukemen" (dipping noodles), and was served as a summer-only menu item.

"Reimen," which is eaten by dipping noodles in a cold, spicy sauce made from a mixture of chili pepper, sesame oil, and vinegar, a dish that has been passed down to this day, is said to be the origin of modern-day "Hiroshima Tsukemen."

Kadonaka-san, who trained at "Shinkaen," founded "Himen-ya" as a restaurant where it could be eaten all year round in around 1985, and it became known as "Hiroshima Tsukemen." The vegetables used as toppings, such as cabbage, green onions, and cucumbers, are not limited to their place of origin, but are sourced from greengrocers to suit the season.

Around 2001, a celebrity made a comment about it, which made it famous nationwide, and a "Hiroshima Tsukemen" boom began.

Hiroshima tourist information

If you visit Hiroshima, why not enjoy sightseeing in Onomichi City? Facing the Seto Inland Sea, Onomichi City has a historic, retro streetscape and the atmosphere of a port town.

Setouchi Shimanami Kaido

The Setouchi Shimanami Kaido is a scenic road stretching approximately 60km in length that connects Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture and Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture.

It is famous as a "holy land for cyclists" because it has a parallel bicycle and pedestrian path and a motorcycle path. There are various ways to enjoy the area, such as watching the beautiful sunset from Setoda Sunset Beach and visiting Oyamazumi Shrine.

Senkoji Park

Senkoji Park is a popular tourist spot overlooking the town of Onomichi and the islands of the Seto Inland Sea. Selected as one of the "Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots," Senkoji Park is a place where you can enjoy seasonal flowers such as cherry blossoms, azaleas, and wisteria. In addition, the night view from the observation deck at the top of the park has also been selected as one of the "Top 100 Night Views." It has also been certified as a sacred place for lovers, making it a popular date spot.

Cat's Narrow Path

"Cat's Narrow Alley" is a narrow alley about 200m long that runs from the east side of Umi Shrine to the three-story pagoda of Tenneiji Temple. It came to be called "Cat's Narrow Alley" around 1998 when "lucky stone cats" - stones with cat faces painted on them - were placed there. There are more than 1000 "lucky stone cats" placed all over town, mainly along Cat's Narrow Alley. Some of the lucky stone cats have magical powers, such as bringing about love and restoring health, making it a popular power spot.

How to get to Hiroshima

There are various ways to get to Hiroshima. Here are some recommended ways to get there. Travel time may vary depending on the season, weather, etc.

If you are heading to Hiroshima from Tokyo, we recommend flying. It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to fly from Haneda Airport to Hiroshima Airport. It takes about 2 hours to fly from Sapporo, Sendai, or Okinawa to Hiroshima Airport. It takes about 50 minutes by rental car from Hiroshima Airport to Onomichi City.

It takes about 1 hour to get from Hakata Station or Shin-Kobe Station to Hiroshima Station. It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Shin-Osaka Station or Kyoto Station. It takes about 2 hours from Nagoya Station. It takes about 1 hour to get from Hiroshima Station to Onomichi Station.

We also recommend taking a leisurely drive to Hiroshima. Find the best way to get there.

Location of Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture

summary

With a generous amount of vegetables piled on top of the noodles and a spicy dipping sauce, Hiroshima Tsukemen is a dish that will whet your appetite just by looking at it.

The smooth texture of the noodles and the texture of the vegetables are irresistible. The spiciness is complemented by a rich umami flavor that lingers in your mouth. Once you start eating, you won't be able to stop.

If you visit Hiroshima, be sure to try Hiroshima Tsukemen.

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