Okinawa Restaurant Tips by okinawa_wave Top 5 Page for this destination

Tetsu Nabe-ya: Superb Chinese Food

Being located so close to Taiwan and with such a strong historical connection to China, you would expect Okinawa to have more Chinese restaurants. Although there are some good ones on the island, they are a bit hard to find if you don't live here. A very good one is Tetsu Nabe-ya. The chef, Nobu, only uses the freshest ingredients and makes everything from scratch. The cold beer goes great with everything!

Favorite Dish: Gyoza, Chashu Pork (pictured), and Shrimp in Chili sauce

Address: Ginowan

Comparison: about average

Phone: 893-0606

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 5

Theme: Chinese/Dim Sum

Website: http://tetsunabeya.ti-da.net/

Okinawa "shokudoh": Chanpuru! Where the locals eat...

The word "Shokudoh" describes a local-style eatery that is in most cases a simple place with some tables and chairs and good "home-cooked" food that is cheap but very filling. The most popular dishes are "Chanpuru," which literally means "mixed." These dishes combine a variety of ingredients that are stir fried over high heat in a fry pan with oil. Some of the more common ones are "tofu chanpuru," "yasai (vegetable) chanpuru," "fuu chanpuru," and "goya (bitter melon) chanpuru." If you are new to the island, be adventurous and try one of these places where you can rub elbows with the locals while enjoying some good food...

There are "shokudoh" located all over the island. Here are a few places I recommend:

Naha - Yuunangi
Chatan - Chirugua
Motobu - Kishimoto Shokudoh

Favorite Dish: Goya Chanpuru - This dish takes a bit getting used to because of its bitter taste, but once your hooked, you will become a "goya" fan for life!

Comparison: least expensive

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 5

Theme: Local

Michi no Eki: Local Markets

Michi no Eki (Street Stations) can be found in many towns and villages where local produce is grown. Each one sells fresh fruits and vegetables grown only in those areas. (Some fruits, such as mango, can be expensive but much cheaper than anywhere else in mainland Japan.) They attract tourists as well as locals, and you will find other specialties such as seafood. Many have small food stalls selling various local foods, so you can even grab a snack, ice cream, or lunch if you are hungry. These places are cheap, filling, and there is a variety of local food to choose from. I recommend both Onna-son and Nago Michi no Eki.

Favorite Dish: Fruits and Vegetables...Everything is fresh!

Address: Onna-son and Nago-shi

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Onna-son Michi no Eki - Located on Highway 58 after passing the Renaissance Resort.
Nago Michi no Eki - Located on Highway 58 a bit further north from the Expressway ramp.

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 5

Theme: Grocery Store/Market

Coconut Moon: Beach Bar Atmosphere

The food here is typical bar food (i.e. pizza, fried chicken, french fries...etc.). What makes this place so special is that it is one of the few places where you can enjoy a drink and munch on some bar snacks with the beach right in front of you. In the summer, Coconut Moon is a really nice place to sit and relax with friends. There is also live music on the weekends. The owners, Kiyomasa and Rina, are really nice people. (Kiyomasa Higa is the former lead guitarist of "Murasaki" - one of Japan's best rock bands in the 70's and early 80's.)

Favorite Dish: The tacos! They are some of the best Tex-Mex style tacos on Okinawa!

Address: Yamada, Onna-son

Comparison: about average

Directions: Located on Route 6 next to Malibu Restaurant.

Phone: 965-3601

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 5

Theme: Pub/Brewery

Website: http://www.beachbar-coconutmoon.com/

Favorites: Chiina Soba, Banju Tei, and Kishimoto: Okinawa Soba

Southern Okinawa
Chiina Soba - Some will say that it is not the best soba in southern Okinawa, but when combined with the Okinawan atmosphere, it is is a fantastic place to eat! You can sit inside a traditional Okinawan-style home or sit in the tranquil garden and enjoy your soba...Located in Itoman off of Route 54 near a school. A little hard to find, so it is best to go by taxi or with someone who knows the place.

Central Okinawa
Banjutei - This place is where the locals and taxi drivers go. It has also become popular with tourists. Highly recommended! Banjutei makes their own noodles and the soki (spare ribs) are delicious. Located in Yomitan, near Kina Elementary School along Highway 58.

Northern Okinawa
Kishimoto - This soba shop has been around for decades and has a real "local" feel with nothing but tables, chairs, bowls of soba, and people slurping. You go in, sit, eat, and when you are done, you leave. People line up outside to get a taste of this famous soba. The pork is tender and out of this world! Located in Motobu near the Toguchi Intersection.

Favorite Dish: Soba! What else?!
Soba is a traditional dish that was brought to Okinawa via China. It is basically noodles in a very delicious broth that uses both katsuo-bushi (dried bonito fish) and pork as its soup base. The noodles are usually seved with either thick slices of sanmai-niku (pork-bacon) or soki (spare ribs). It is one of Okinawa's most famous dishes and can be found almost anywhere. It is filling and cheap...only about 500 to 600 yen! (US$5)

Address: Itoman, Yomitan, and Motobu...

Comparison: least expensive

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 5

Theme: Local