Visiting Higashihiroshima

[Bailey]

As much as I read Egullet I can't believe I didn't think about posting this until today. At any rate, I'm leaving for Japan on Sunday for business in Higashihiroshima. I'm staying at a hotel near Saijo station if that serves as a landmark for anyone. It does not mean all the much to me as of yet!

I'm looking for recommendations on traditional, interesting, or just plain different dining and/or food opportunites in the area. I'm not sure that any of my collegues in Japan are 'foodies' so I may miss out on some great experiences without some additional guidance.

I'm relatively serious about food, experimentation, and trying cuisines from different cultures so I don't scare easily. I've spent time in a lot of parts of the world but not Japan so any pointers will be helpful. I will have a laptop with me and will try to report on any interesting experiences. My friends here have already put me on notice that I better be taking pictures of any good dishes.

Thanks in advance...

[buffy]

Hi,

Higashihiroshima, or Saijo as it is known, is one of the most famous places in Japan for sake production. You just missed the annual sake festival. If you are into sake, I am sure you can find many restaurants or izakaya that serve great Hiroshima sake. However, Saijo is only about 40 minutes away from Hiroshima by train. Lots of great food. Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki is not to be missed and oysters are also a local specialty. There is a good website with lots of dining options in Hiroshima here. Feel free to contact me with any specific information. I can not give you any specific information as to what is around Saijo station, but Higashi Hiroshima is a university town so many of the places cater to students.

As much as I read Egullet I can't believe I didn't think about posting this until today. At any rate, I'm leaving for Japan on Sunday for business in Higashihiroshima. I'm staying at a hotel near Saijo station if that serves as a landmark for anyone. It does not mean all the much to me as of yet!

I'm looking for recommendations on traditional, interesting, or just plain different dining and/or food opportunites in the area. I'm not sure that any of my collegues in Japan are 'foodies' so I may miss out on some great experiences without some additional guidance.

I'm relatively serious about food, experimentation, and trying cuisines from different cultures so I don't scare easily. I've spent time in a lot of parts of the world but not Japan so any pointers will be helpful. I will have a laptop with me and will try to report on any interesting experiences. My friends here have already put me on notice that I better be taking pictures of any good dishes.

Thanks in advance...

←

[helenjp]

Area characteristics:

Seafood, especially blowfish, crab, and whale (though reviews of places reputed to serve whale didn't mention??)

Traditionally strong Chinese and Korean population, probably still relatively more Chinese and Korean restaurants

Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki (noodles with pancake, fried egg, etc - cheap treat!)

Expensive restaurants:

Fukumasa

banquet style, 8,000 to 12,000 per person

blowfish menus as above and up to 21,000 per person

Fujinoya

Couldn't find menu prices sorry, not more than Fukumasa and maybe more reasonable, was my impression, but no guarantees!

Seafood and sake - I think they serve a local sake and maybe also feature in cooking (couldn't find the place where I originally read that).

Suigun no Sato

On the expensive side, but this is my "blind pick". 10" walk from station

Seafood, including whale, fish prepared from in-house aquarium (this usually means "odori" or quivering-fresh preparation).

Moderate, on-the-run etc.

Saijo station seems to have quite a range of restaurants, some with good reviews. Above all, ask hotel staff, business contacts, etc.

Manten

Local dishes and sake, along the main drag in front of the station

Keyaki

Family-run restaurant featuring local produce and local dishes. 5" walk from station

Asahi Beer Garden

6 minutes by taxi from the station, a Japanese beer garden is a great experience, the only drawback in my view would be the Asahi beer...but that may be my NZ prejudice, as their beers are usually light and dry, and may suit US tastes well.

[Bailey]

Buffy and helenjp, thanks so much for the information. I think that a colleague went to the restaurant with the 'quivering fresh' presentation a while back. He indicated that the fish was quite good but the liver was a bit strong for his tastes. Some of my associates were in town during the sake festival but I don't know how much they participated in the events. Maybe more so than they remember!

Beer gardens are a lot of fun. I'm with you about the Asahi as being a bit light. The stuff we get here in the U.S. is contract brewed by Anheuser Busch I think and tastes accordingly. I have had it in other Asian countries and wasn't all that impressed either. My tastes tend to run towards microbrewed IPA's so I'm biased a bit. Not that that is what I want with fresh fish of course!

I have heard good things about the okonomiyaki in the area. A vegetarian coworker liked the cabbage version with egg (ovo-tarian I suppose) although squid and/or octopus additions sound good to me.

Good to hear that oysters are popular. I really enjoy them fresh however where I am located in Texas pretty much only gulf oysters are available and they are good but not especially complex in flavor.

Sakuraniku (horse sashimi I believe) and baniku (horse for yakiniku I think) are of interest to me also as I have never had horse meat in any form. I don't know that these are specialties of the area or particularly popular there. Not sure what I would think about the fatty part that is served (basashi?). A French friend that spent some time working in Japan spoke rather highly of the sashimi version.

Again, thanks for the information. I'm looking forward to enjoying great food during my visit.