As part of our trip we were recommended a restaurant ran by a Guatemalan that served Okonomiyaki. To say I was nonplussed would be an understatement, that is until I took my first bite at Lopez Okonomiyaki.
Make no mistake this is light years ahead the best restaurant in Hiroshima, with seemingly everyone, including our taxi driver a fan. We learned this as upon picking us up his first question was if we had tried Lopez and that he himself went twice a month!
What the Okonomiyaki?
So before we get down and dirty about why this is such a baller restaurant, lets deal with what Okonomiyaki usually is, at least prior to being given a fusion makeover.
Okonomiyaki is a savory pancake cooked on an iron hotplate, which has eggs, chopped vegetables, meat/seafood that is popular throughout Japan.
Hiroshima though have added their own flair to it by adding different noodles, more vegetables and layering it, rather than just mixing it like a bubble and squeak. You then normally eat it at the “bar” and directly from a hotplate. This makes it incredibly unique.
This pretty much makes it the dish to try in Hiroshima, regardless of if you come to see Mr Lopez, or not.
The Lopez Okonomiyaki Story
I am always somewhat fascinated by an expats story, particularly when the move just seems strange. An example of this would indeed be Amy friend from Brazil who still lives in Ukraine, but I digress as always.
Mr Lopez, who is married to a Japanese lady has been running his restaurant “many years” and learned Okonomiyaki from the Okonomiyaki master Hassho. The Mr Miyagi of Okonomiyaki if you will.
Nowadays it is a firm favorite that the city is extremely proud of to an extent that pretty much all tourists come here to fight it out with locals as people literally wait outside for a seat. This truly is the real deal.
Eating at The Lopez Okonomiyaki
On arrival at the place, which is located pretty much in a back alley you are then greeted by what is a reactively tiny restaurant, with the hot plate able to seat 15 people at best. This is why there is rally a que.
If you are lucky though, as we were then you get to sit right down and go for it. Once presented with the menu the fission and fusion elements come clear with chorizo being offered as starters, which we gratefully went for. These were exactly what you would have expected from a Guatemalan chef and tasted great, particularly when washed down with a great glass of sake.
For the main meals you have the choice of different kinds of Okonomiyaki defined by the noodle, such as soba, or udon. I personally went for4 udon, if nothing else because I love bukkake udon noodles (no sniggering).
Other bits can be added, such as cheese, as well as the aforementioned chorizo as well as peppers to make things spicy.
It then gets cooked right in front of your eyes, which in itself is worth the entry, with Lopez and his wife forms and centre in their culinary masterclass of a show.
What is Lopez Okonomiyaki like?
Again I will admit that I came with low expectations, which may help, but honestly this place just blew my mind. Okonomiyaki by itself is an amazing dish, but when you fuse this with cheese and all the other bits it just becomes amazing.
We had three dishes between us, with all being great, but the size of the noodles, and the amount of sauce you add making all the difference. I personally feel that the best way to have this is with udon noodles with their big chunky elements really maximizing the flavor.
And it is cheap as hell, with the three of us dining and drinking for just over $50, with us politely nodding to those waiting outside to ensure them that they were in for a treat.
Lopez Okonomiyaki Address
1 Chome-7-13 Kusunokicho,
Nishi Ward,
Hiroshima,
733-0002
Empire of Japan
There is public transport here, but taxis are cheap in this small city.
I visited as part of our Extremes of Japan Tour, which also included trying Chicken Sashimi the night before.