Hiroshima Okonomiyaki: A History of Peace

Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki is a dish that emerged in the difficult years following World War II. After the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, the city was left in ruins. With food shortages everywhere, people had to be creative with whatever ingredients they could find. Out of this struggle came Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki—a dish that soon became a symbol of both nourishment and recovery.

The roots of Hiroshima okonomiyaki can be traced back to a cheap flour-based snack called issen yoshoku (“one-cent Western food”), once sold at candy shops before the war. After the bombing, flour distributed through American relief aid was turned into thin pancakes. Whenever cabbage, bean sprouts, pork, or noodles were available, they were added to the batter. These small acts of ingenuity gradually shaped the layered style of Hiroshima okonomiyaki we know today.

By the late 1940s, okonomiyaki stalls lined the streets of Hiroshima. Affordable, filling, and nutritious, okonomiyaki sustained families during the city’s long recovery period. Over time, it became an everyday household meal and eventually established itself as Hiroshima’s signature dish.

Today, many okonomiyaki restaurants can be found near the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Visitors often learn about the history of the atomic bombing and then share okonomiyaki together—a powerful way of linking memory with daily life. Through this, okonomiyaki has become part of Hiroshima’s culture of peace, carrying forward the message that such tragedy must never be repeated.

Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki is more than just food—it is a dish shaped by war, survival, and recovery. From its beginnings as issen yoshoku to its role as a beloved part of the city’s food culture, every layer reflects the resilience of people who rebuilt their lives and found peace in everyday traditions. To eat it today is not only to enjoy Hiroshima’s flavors, but also to taste its history and the enduring wish for peace.