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About
Wakaba
Welcome to Wakaba, a hidden gem nestled in the picturesque town of Onomichi, Hiroshima. Situated at 520-1 Setodacho Setoda, this charming restaurant combines the essence of traditional Japanese cuisine with a warm, family-run ambiance.
At Wakaba, the star of the show is undoubtedly the tempura, as evidenced by rave reviews from patrons who have sampled their offerings. Cycle enthusiasts and food lovers alike have praised the tempura rice sets as some of the best in Japan. The light yet flavorful batter complements fresh, high-quality seafood and vegetables, leading to an explosion of taste with every bite. Customers rave about the shrimp tempura, which is made from large, non-farmed shrimp, boasting an exceptional texture and robust crustacean flavor.
Another must-try is the special tendon set, featuring exquisite ingredients like anago (conger eel) and octopus. The dishes showcased here demonstrate a careful balance of skill and tradition. As one satisfied diner pointed out, the octopus is cooked to perfection—not overly chewy but bursting with flavor. It's clear that the culinary team at Wakaba takes pride in their craft.
Moreover, the welcoming atmosphere complements the delicious fare. The owners are known for their kindness, and with at least one staff member fluent in English, accessibility is a promise here. This establishment is a moment away from the Shimanami Kaido, making it an ideal pit stop for cyclists looking to refuel with a satisfying and authentic meal.
Wakaba exemplifies the art of tempura while delivering dishes that resonate with both flavor and tradition, ensuring every visit is a delightful culinary experience. So, whether you’re a local or a visitor exploring Onomichi, make sure to stop by for a taste of wakaba that you won't soon forget.
People talk
Our Guestbook
“ Eel was very good ! The chef made a special dish for my vegetarian sister! ”
“ The anago tempura Don was so delicious. The biggest anago tempura that I have had in my life! ”
“ Seafood and vegetable tempura on rice was awesome ! ”
“ The tempura rice set is good. The batter is very well seasoned. ”
“ Tempura is pretty delicious, the pressed eel sushi is also good but not very impressive. ”
“ I had lunch at this restaurant with 9 other people. We were placed in a nicely arranged room with a television. The television was showing beautiful images of Japan with music. It was very nice. I had a delicious meal of fish (crocker), vegetables, soup, and some delicious lemonade. When my bowl arrived, it looked and smelled so good, I forgot to take a picture. Everything was absolutely delicious. I would love to eat at this restaurant again. ”
“ Had a good lunch here whilst cycling! Had the special tendon set and it did not disappoint. Good vegetables and anago. Octupus was not too chewy and it was bursting with flavours. Shrimp was a large one, and definitely not farmed. You can tell from the excellent texture of the flesh, and the great crustacean flavour from crunching on the shell at the tail end. One of the service staff speaks good English and he had worked as an air steward in EVA air!!!! ”
“ Best tempura I’ve had in Japan! Very flavorful and not overly battered. I popped in here while cycling the shimanami kaido and this was only a minute or two off the main path. Seems to be a family run establishment and the owners are very kind. They have a couple different tempura sets, including shrimp tempura. They also have an English menu. ”