Maruboshi Onomichi Ramen Review: Hiroshima's Best Bowl

While Miyajima usually steals the spotlight in Hiroshima,

the charming seaside town of Onomichi is quickly becoming a must-visit destination.

Onomichi is famous for its whimsical Cat Alley, the panoramic views from Senkoji Park,

and, most importantly, its legendary local specialty: Onomichi Ramen.

As someone who can't resist trying famous regional dishes,

I had to see if it lived up to the hype!

Onomichi Ramen Maruboshi (尾道ラーメン専門店 丸ぼし)

Hours: 10:30 AM - 8:00 PM (Closed Wednesdays)

Google Rating: 4.1 ⭐

Maruboshi · 2 Chome-8-16 Tsuchido, Onomichi, Hiroshima 722-0035, Japan

You can easily reach Maruboshi from Onomichi Station.

There are two scenic routes: strolling through the bustling Hondori Shopping Street

or walking along the refreshing seaside path.

I decided to take the Hondori Shopping Street on my way there

and enjoyed the coastal breeze on my walk back.

Although it’s only about a 10-minute walk (approx. 0.5 miles) from the station,

the charming local shops along the way make the time fly by.

Many reviews and travel vlogs warn about long wait times here.

According to the staff, because many travelers visit Onomichi as a day trip from Hiroshima,

the lunch rush gets incredibly busy.

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I arrived around 5:30 PM for an early dinner and was seated immediately.

However, just minutes after I sat down, a crowd poured in,

and the restaurant was completely full.

If you want to skip the queue,

I highly recommend aiming for an off-peak time like I did!

The Menu

Since they offer a wide variety of options,

I recommend checking their official website for the full, up-to-date menu.

Please note that current prices may vary slightly from older online photos.

Ordering is done via a ticket vending machine at the entrance.

⚠️ Please note that it is cash-only (no credit cards accepted).

I had read rave reviews about their karaage (Japanese fried chicken),

but since I was dining solo and worried about the portion size,

I ordered just the standard ramen.

In hindsight, I deeply regretted this because almost every other solo diner

around me ordered the karaage set! Next time, I am definitely getting it.

The cozy interior features both counter seating—perfect for solo travelers—

and standard tables. It accommodates about 20 guests.

At each seat, you'll find water, napkins,

and an array of condiments including pepper, chili oil, gyoza sauce, and soy sauce.

My ramen arrived almost immediately after I washed my hands.

Since Onomichi ramen is famous for its unique blend of soy sauce, chicken,

and local fish broth, topped with savory chunks of pork back fat,

I was initially a bit nervous. I'm usually sensitive to overly fishy flavors!

The noodles are wonderfully wavy and crinkly.

They have a completely different texture from the straight noodles found in standard tonkotsu,

and they cling to the savory soy-sauce broth beautifully.

Next, I tried the menma (bamboo shoots) and took my first sip of the soup.

It was a flavor profile unlike anything I've experienced before!

While there is a delicate hint of seafood from the local fish, it wasn't fishy at all—

just incredibly rich and savory.

The generous heap of fresh green onions perfectly cut through the richness of the pork back fat,

making it easy to finish the entire bowl in no time. (The portion size was slightly on the smaller side!)

Lately, I’ve been trying to avoid overly salty foods,

but this broth was perfectly balanced and not harsh at all.

If I had a larger appetite, I definitely would have ordered a bowl of white rice to mix into the remaining soup!

The chashu (braised pork slice) was incredibly tender with absolutely no gamey odor.

It was hands-down one of the most memorable meals of my entire Hiroshima prefecture trip.

If you are planning your Hiroshima itinerary and heading to Onomichi, this spot is an absolute must-visit.

Since I was a bit lonely eating this amazing meal by myself,

I'm already planning to bring my boyfriend along on my next trip here! :)

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