32. Japanophiles: Fernando Lopez

Fernando Lopez, originally from Guatemala, runs an okonomiyaki restaurant in Hiroshima. Made on a hot griddle, okonomiyaki from western Japan resembles a thin crepe loaded with cabbage, pork, soba noodles and other savory ingredients. A special sauce is brushed on top to complete this Japanese soul food. Hiroshima is a place people all over Japan associate with good okonomiyaki. Because of this, competition is fierce, but Lopez's restaurant is one of the most popular in town, and one menu item in particular features a spicy twist.