What is the history of Hiroshima okonomiyaki? Introducing the "Hiroshima old style" from the 1950s

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What is the history of Hiroshima okonomiyaki? Introducing the "Hiroshima old style" from the 1950s

What kind of image do you have of Hiroshima okonomiyaki? Hiroshima okonomiyaki has a long history, and even today, the cooking method known as the "Hiroshima Old Style" is still being passed down. So this time, we interviewed Fujii, the public relations officer at Mitchan Souhonten, to talk about the history of Hiroshima okonomiyaki.

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ISE Hiroshima Sodachi Co., Ltd.

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Founded in 1950, the original Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki is the embodiment of Inune Mitsuo's commitment to quality. Inune Mitsuo, also known as "Micchan," is particular about "light, timeless okonomiyaki that you can eat every day." Without changing the traditional style, he continues to preserve the original Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki flavor.

What is Hiroshima Okonomiyaki?

What is the history of Hiroshima okonomiyaki? Introducing the "Hiroshima old style" from the 1950s

*This article is an excerpt from the YouTube channel of "Hiroshima Okonomiyaki Mitchan Sohonten [Official]".

This time, we learned about Hiroshima old style from Xiaohei, author of "Enthusiastic Okonomiyaki."

The main characteristics of Hiroshima okonomiyaki are that the ingredients are layered and cooked, and that Chinese noodles are included. If it is made this way, it is likely to be lumped together as Hiroshima okonomiyaki. However, in reality, there are roughly eight different ways to cook it. The differences lie in the order in which the ingredients are layered and the noodles. Hiroshima okonomiyaki has a variety of cooking methods that have been developed depending on the region and era.

Hiroshima Okonomiyaki! What are its roots?

Hiroshima okonomiyaki was introduced from Tokyo, but the exact route is still unclear. It is said to have been introduced to Hiroshima in the form of "Issenyoshoku" (One-sen Western Food) towards the end of the Taisho period.

What is the history of Hiroshima okonomiyaki? Introducing the "Hiroshima old style" from the 1950s

Issenyoshoku is simply "food for children sold at candy stores." It is a small teppanyaki dish made by mixing wheat flour dissolved in water with a small amount of vegetables, chikuwa (fish paste), kamaboko (fish cake), and green onions, and then grilling it on an iron plate. At the time, it was served to children with a sauce that tasted similar to soy sauce with vinegar, pepper, and chili peppers.

It is also called "Western food yaki," "Issenyaki," or "Betayaki."

What is the history of Hiroshima okonomiyaki? Introducing the "Hiroshima old style" from the 1950s

The Issenyoshoku, which was popular among children, changed after the war into a more filling teppanyaki dish that even adults could enjoy. Today, it is loved as Hiroshima okonomiyaki, and it can be said that Issenyoshoku is the root of Hiroshima okonomiyaki.

A tradition passed down since ancient times! What is Hiroshima Old Style?

There are still a few restaurants in Hiroshima that continue to serve the "Hiroshima Old Style" Issen Western Food, but the reality is that their numbers are gradually decreasing.

What is the history of Hiroshima okonomiyaki? Introducing the "Hiroshima old style" from the 1950s

"Tamaruya" in Hatsukaichi City is one of the stores that still carries on the Hiroshima old style. Founded in 1958, it is the perfect place to learn about the Hiroshima old style.

So, what are the distinctive features of Hiroshima Old Style? Let's take a look at how it's made.

What is the history of Hiroshima okonomiyaki? Introducing the "Hiroshima old style" from the 1950s

First, a dough made by dissolving flour in water is spread out onto an iron plate.

What is the history of Hiroshima okonomiyaki? Introducing the "Hiroshima old style" from the 1950s

Next, sprinkle fish powder on top of the dough, place udon or soba noodles on top, sprinkle sauce on top and mix well.

What is the history of Hiroshima okonomiyaki? Introducing the "Hiroshima old style" from the 1950s

The mainstream method used at many okonomiyaki restaurants, including "Micchan Souhonten," is to put the vegetables, meat, and noodles on the batter and then grill them. On the other hand, Hiroshima old style is characterized by putting the noodles on straight away, and the basic order is batter, soba, vegetables, and meat.

The order in which the ingredients are layered is different from modern okonomiyaki

It is said that the reason for the different order in which the ingredients are layered is related to historical background.

What is the history of Hiroshima okonomiyaki? Introducing the "Hiroshima old style" from the 1950s

In the beginning, when Chinese noodles were not yet eaten, it was common to put mochi in it. Later, Chinese noodles came to be used instead of mochi, and vegetables and meat were placed on top, flipped over and grilled... and so on.

What is the history of Hiroshima okonomiyaki? Introducing the "Hiroshima old style" from the 1950s

Another reason is that in the early 1950s, gas facilities and other facilities were not yet in place, and the heat was weaker than it is today, so the iron plates could not be made larger.

In the past, okonomiyaki had to be cooked over the entire surface of a small iron plate, turning it over as it was cooked, which meant that it was not possible to cook the noodles separately from the dough as is done today.

What is the history of Hiroshima okonomiyaki? Introducing the "Hiroshima old style" from the 1950s

Nowadays, there are fewer okonomiyaki restaurants that cook okonomiyaki in the Hiroshima old style, but there is a taste that can only be produced in this Hiroshima old style! The noodles absorb the moisture from the vegetables, resulting in an okonomiyaki that is soft overall and has a unified flavor.

Be sure to try Hiroshima old-style okonomiyaki too!

What is the history of Hiroshima okonomiyaki? Introducing the "Hiroshima old style" from the 1950s

The roots of Hiroshima okonomiyaki lie in the Hiroshima old style. We would like you to experience this historic Hiroshima old style, which is connected to the okonomiyaki of today, at least once. I think that okonomiyaki eaten after learning about its history will have a special flavor. "Micchan Souhonten" will continue to introduce information related to okonomiyaki, so please check it out.

Check out the YouTube video "What is the 'Old Style' Okonomiyaki that lets you enjoy Hiroshima Okonomiyaki from the 1950s?"

Click here for the YouTube channel of "Hiroshima Okonomiyaki Mitchan Sohonten [Official]"

ISE Hiroshima Sodachi Co., Ltd.

Founded in 1950, the original Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki is the embodiment of Inune Mitsuo's commitment to quality. Inune Mitsuo, also known as "Micchan," is particular about "light, timeless okonomiyaki that you can eat every day." Without changing the traditional style, he continues to preserve the original Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki flavor.

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