Oysters @ Oshokujidokoro Tachibana, Miyajimacho, Hiroshima

 

They say lightning does not strike twice. But I can tell you that they were wrong! It was back in March 2021 where I stepped into Miyajima Island for the first time. Unfortunately, it was raining cats and dogs back then. And although I was able to have a glimpse of the legendary toori gate, it was under renovation and the rain really dampened the mood. So I thought, things must be different 5 years later. 

Raining? Again? Really?

And yet, I was caught in a bigger torrential rain that went on for hours! On a more positive note, the renovation is complete so I got to see the crimson glory of the toori gate. And I did have oysters again and that was very nice. Oshokujidokoro Tachibana is a classic Japanese style diner that has all the regular classics like noodles and rice dishes you can get from any other establishment like this. 

A bit of reprieve now we are indoors. Oh and check the menu!

However, they do have one thing that most places outside Hiroshima rarely serve, and that is oysters. So when I saw that their display outside the shop that they have oysters, the decision was made for me. More specifically a glorious rice set standing at 1800 yen, what is not to love? Granted, this is more than my usual lunch meal during the weekdays but I am on vacation alright? Cut me some slack. But what did not give any slack was the waiting and the rain. And it was pouring heavily as my family and I were waiting outside the shop. Luckily there were some places that provided some shelter and once we got into the warm and cozy interior, ordering was a snap. Soon enough, my shellfish spectacular arrived in moments. 

Stunner

The meal was rather complete. With an entre consisting of 6 juicy and fresh fried oysters, a side of pickles mixed with octopus, some salad,  seaweed soup, pickles and a bowl of rice, this was the whole shabang. Of course, the main star is the oysters. They were expertly fried and had a very satisfying crunch. The interior was soft and juicy, with a slight hint of saltiness that is very distinct for oysters. There is little funk, if any after every bite. A true testament for freshness. 

Proof they are not nuggets.

The outer breading was also expertly fried. It was just right when it comes to the crunch and texture. There was also little oil on the outside, making it very easy to gobble down. You know that a good piece of fried food is executed well when it does not actually feel oily, ironic I know. However, to kick it up a notch, a nice side of tartar sauce was available to add some cool and creamy depth to the overall dish. I know, mayo and rice? Not the most appetizing combination if you look at it on a piece of paper. However, putting that on top of those golden morsels and then combining it with the rice, that was serious bliss. If you are not really keen on deep fried stuff but still want to get some oysters, they also serve soba with oysters and hot soup if you fancy.  My father ordered that but I totally forgotten to take a photo of that as I was too engrossed with my own lunch. Well, maybe my next visit?

Thank you for hosting us! Till next time. 

Although the rain did throw a spanner into our family trip, this lunch did provide some tasty sustenance for us to fight through the gloomy weather. Honestly, the food here is rather decent and seems to be a bit more affordable than the other shops that we passed. And with the price that we had to pay, I have to say this is a recommendation that I can easily make. So if you are in the island and in need of a satisfying lunch, the address is as follows:

〒739-0588 Hiroshima, Hatsukaichi, Miyajimacho, Kita-no-cho-hama No. 566-1