Where to Eat Hiroshima Ramen: 3 Famous Shops

Hiroshima Ramen isn't as well-known as its Eastern cousin, Onomichi Ramen. But ramen in Hiroshima City ramen is incredible and deserves recognition.

In Hiroshima, ramen is still fondly called “chūkasoba,” an older term for ramen that simply means Chinese-style noodles. The soup is a blend of tonkotsu (pork bone) and shoyu (soy sauce), but the overall profile is distinctively assari - light and easy-drinking.

Hiroshima Ramen - 3 Places

Here are three standout shops serving authentic, delicious Hiroshima-style ramen - just as described above!

Shop #1: Kiyochan

Kiyochan (きよちゃん) goes back several generations, and it’s one of the coziest ramen shops I’ve ever stepped into.

Ramen starts at a very reasonable price, and even adding all the toppings (egg, dumplings, extra chashu, and negi) only costs a bit more.

The broth is a delight - slightly rich, yet bright and naturally sweet thanks to the heavy use of vegetables.

Kiyochan is an all-around wonderful ramen experience.

Shop #2: Tsubame

Besides the ramen, a big part of Tsubame’s (つばめ) appeal is its rustic, Shōwa-era interior. This is the real Hiroshima - just as it was decades ago.

Tsubame also pays homage to the city’s beloved baseball team, the Carp. You’ll find splashes of the team’s red throughout the décor and even uniform numbers on the walls. And if there’s a game on, you can bet their old-school mounted TV will be showing it.

In line with the retro setting, Tsubame’s ramen leans closer to a classic shoyu. The broth has less fat and a more watery consistency, but it’s still a tasty, quality bowl. It’s the only ramen on the menu, but honestly, it’s all you need.

Enjoy stepping back in time at Tsubame!

Hiroshima offers a lot of regional classics like Okonomiyaki as well. If you're interested in other Japanese food, check out this website:

Shop #3: Youki

Chūkasoba Youki (中華そば 陽気) is another immensely popular spot for Hiroshima-style ramen. They’ve got two branches - Eba Station (the flagship) and Otemachi (pictured).

Youki’s flavorful broth sits somewhere between Kiyochan’s and Tsubame’s in terms of consistency. It’s not too rich and not too light - the blend of tonkotsu and shoyu is almost melodic.

Mini bean sprouts are a common topping in Hiroshima ramen, and Youki adds even more of them. You’ll also find the classic, straightforward chashu pork that’s typical of the region - simple and delicious.

You’ll absolutely love Youki’s ramen and its old-school vibe.

BONUS Shop: Rairaitei

Rairaitei (来頼亭) is a bit out of the way - but that’s part of the appeal. It’s not unwelcoming, but it is a super local shop. Think American Werewolf in London.

Their chashu ramen isn’t the prettiest bowl, but meat lovers will be thrilled. The broth isn’t quite gravy-thick, but among the ramen on this list, it’s definitely the richest and heaviest.

Still, like all Hiroshima-style ramen, it never weighs you down. And if you want a prettier photo at Rairaitei, simply order the regular ramen.

To wrap up: Hiroshima City’s ramen shops are unsung heroes in the ramen world. Their unique broth strikes a beautiful balance - rich yet light. If you’re in Hiroshima City, make sure to check out these shops!

Click here for some Hiroshima Ramen shops open super late!

If you’re planning a food-focused trip to Japan, my team also runs Japan Food Travels, where we share curated itineraries and deeper food experiences across the country.”