[Okinawa] A Selection of 10 Restaurants Serving Premium Wagyu Beef Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Guide-

Update-date: Jun 05 2020

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

[Okinawa] A Selection of 10 Restaurants Serving Premium Wagyu Beef

Okinawa’s beaches of turquoise, blue seas and fine, white sand contribute significantly to its attraction as a premier resort area in Japan. Between marine sports, shopping, and cultural experiences, you won't have a dull moment with all of the recreational activities to try. After a full day of being out and about, there are throngs of different restaurants that satisfy your hunger. To narrow it down a bit, this will be an introduction to 10 of the best places to feast on some sumptuous, tender Wagyu beef in Okinawa.

See full listings of restaurants found in and around Okinawa.

1. Shabu-Shabu Kou Higashimachi Main Branch (Asahibashi / Shabu Shabu & Sukiyaki)

A3 - A5 grade Ishigaki beef and Yanbaru beef are a couple of the premium cuts of [Okinawan beef] served at Kou, one of Okinawa's finest shabu-shabu (sliced meat parboiled with vegetables) specialty restaurants. The top recommendation is the [Okinawan Wagyu Beef Suki-Shabu], made with the dashi (broth) from sukiyaki (hot pot stew). The stew is simmered for a shorter period of time than usual, which is key to preventing the succulent umami (Japanese savory taste) of the meat from leaking out. An entire assortment of Okinawan ingredients are on full display in dishes like the [Agu Pork], characterized by a moist, tender texture and an intrinsic touch of sweetness, the fresh [Akadori Chicken from Kumeshima Island], and other fresh picked vegetables grown in Okinawa.

Shabu-Shabu Kou Higashimachi main branch

Open: 11:00 am - 11:00 pm (Lunch 11:00 am - 2:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 6,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,300 JPY
Access: 3 minutes walk from Asahibashi Station on Yui Rail Line, Okinawa Urban Monorail. Find us with a big sign with the Chinese character [紺]
Address: 1F, 19-25, Higashimachi, Naha, Okinawa (Map)
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2. Kappo Ren (Miebashi / Japanese Cuisine)

Kappo Ren is a restaurant that serves a multitude of different kinds of kappo (Japanese-style cooking) cuisine like tempura, sashimi, and various charcoal-grilled dishes, all of which you'll have the opportunity to see prepared right in front of you. You can't go wrong with any of the dishes made with Kuroge Wagyu beef like the [Wagyu Oba Maki] and the [Kuroge Wagyu Beef Shabu Shabu Wan]. The [Wagyu Oba Maki] is a tempura dish prepared by cutting thick slices of Wagyu beef, wrapping them in perilla leaves, then deep-frying each one. The [Shabu Shabu Wan] also involves thick slices of Kuroge Wagyu, except it's prepared by dipping the slices in a dashi (broth) of concentrated umami flavors, then serving the dish in an elegant owan (a small Japanese bowl). The chef has trained extensively in Japanese cuisine, and his warm hospitality is especially well-received.

Kappo Ren

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Dinner 5:00 pm - 1:00 am (L.O. 0:00 am)
Closed: Sunday
Average price: [Dinner] 8,000 JPY
Access: Walk along the river towards the prefectural office from [Miebashi station] of Yui Rail Line, turn left at Kumoji bridge then turn left again on the second street, it is right there
Address: 1F, Ichigin-kumoji heim, 1-12-16 Makishi, Naha city, Okinawa (Map)
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3. Shukizen Kazuki (Kenchomae / General Japanese Cuisine)

Kazuki is a restaurant run by an Okinawan native owner and chef. Their beef is shipped in from the Ishigaki Island, the southernmost island of Japan, where the Ishigaki beef is considered one of the 3 best brands of Japanese beef. The pork dishes are made using Agu pork, which is a highly distinguished specialty brand exclusive to Okinawa. The restaurant's specialty is the [Brown Sugar Cotton Candy Sukiyaki], the contents of which include high-quality beef and fresh vegetables. The cotton candy is made with 3 types of sugar, then laid to sit atop the contents of the pot in the impactful sight of a fluffy shroud before dissolving into an appetizingly sweet and savory aroma.

Shukizen Kazuki

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday] 5:30 pm -0:00 am
Closed: Sunday
Average price: [Dinner] 4,500 JPY
Access: 5 minutes walk from Kencho-mae Station
Address: 1F, Lions Mansion Daibunkaku Matsuyamakan, 1-15-20, Matsuyama, Naha city, Okinawa (Map)
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4. Steakhouse 88 Onna Branch (Steaks, Hamburg Steak, Curry)

Steak House 88 is a longstanding franchise of popular steak restaurants in Okinawa. This particular location opened in the village of Onna in February of 2019. The tenderloin steak holds an immovable reputation as a customer favorite, which is followed by a diverse selection of steaks made with organic beef, like the sirloin steak. Another specialty is the [Ishigaki Beef] steak, which was under the international spotlight when it was served at the G8 summit in Okinawa. The voluminous cuts of steaks are served on custom-ordered teppan (cast-iron) plates that are both highly conductive and excel in storing heat, allowing you to enjoy piping hot, fresh steaks even over the course of a leisurely dinner table conversation.

Steakhouse 88 Onna Branch

Open: 11:00 am - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 2,200 JPY / [Lunch] 1,600 JPY
Address: 167-2, Maeganeku, Onna-son, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa Map
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5. Ryukyu Dining Faimeal (Izakaya)

Inside of the Ryukyu (Okinawan) modern interior, their dishes are prepared with local Miyakojima ingredients. The menu consists of dishes made with meat of the highest quality in A5 grade Miyako beef. The [Miyako Beef Nigiri (6 pieces)] (1,580 JPY) is a nigiri (hand-pressed) sushi made with your choice from 3 grades of beef. This exemplary dish often becomes a habitual choice for repeat visitors who get hooked on it. The [Shabu-Shabu with Island Vegetables and Miyako Beef] (2,300 JPY), prepared with rare Okinawan vegetables and Miyako beef, is also highly recommended. The restaurant also offers a diverse selection of sake (Japanese alcohol) with certain choices that are specialties of Okinawa like Orion Beer and awamori (a distilled alcohol made of indica rice).

Ryukyu Dining Faimeal

Open: Dinner 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:20 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: 4,000 JPY
Address: 2F, PATIO Deux Bldg., 171, Hiraranishizato, Miyakojima-shi, Okinawa Map
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6. Jizake Sumibiyaki Chichiri (Omoromachi / Japanese Izakaya)

Chichiri is a Japanese izakaya (pub) with a carefully selected array of ingredients prepared by grilling them over charcoal, or even straw in a method known as “wara aburi.” The Wagyu beef at Chichiri is a brand called Ikeda Beef from Ikeda, Hokkaido. The ichibo is a rare cut from the rump grilled on binchotan (a white charcoal traditionally used in Japanese cooking) in a dish known as the [Ikeda Ichibo Meat Sumibiyaki] (1,180 JPY). The meat is packed with savory, sweet juices intrinsic to the cut of meat. Chichiri is stocked with dishes prepared with luxury ingredients like Ishigaki black chickens, known for their rich texture, and high-quality horse meat produced in the Kumamoto prefecture. They also serve some traditional Ryukyu (Okinawan) cuisine in dishes like Rafute (stewed pork cubes) and umi-budo (sea grapes).

Jizake Sumibiyaki Chichiri

Open: [Monday - Thursday, National Holidays] 5:30 pm - 1:00 am (L.O. 11:50 pm)
[Friday - Sunday, National Holidays] 5:30 pm - 2:00 am (L.O. 12:50 am)
Closed: None
*Also open at the beginning and end of the year (with the exception of 12/31 and 1/1)
Average price: 3,000 JPY
Address: 1F, Grand Blue Bldg., 4-8-7, Omoromachi, Naha-shi, Okinawa Map
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7. Misaki Gyu Takahara Branch (Yakiniku)

Misaki Gyu is a yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) restaurant whose primary attraction is a brand of highly distinguished beef from Ishigaki Island called Misaki beef. The [Misaki Beef Premium Set] (12,000 JPY) is the centerpiece of the menu, and consists of 4 of the rarest and best-tasting cuts of Misaki beef: sirloin, top blade, chuck flap, and tenderloin. The sweet, flavorful fats are said to melt at 36°C, and in cuts where the marbling is in perfect harmony with the concentrated umami of the meat itself, each piece is a bite of something otherworldly. Another recommendation is the [Misaki Beef Suki-Shabu] (2,980 JPY), where the robust flavor of the meat is accentuated by searing it.

Misaki Gyu Takahara Branch

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, Sunday] Lunch 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
[Weekdays, Saturday. Sunday] Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Address: 1-2-6, Hiyagon, Okinawa-shi, Okinawa Map
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8. Shima Shabu-Shabu NAKAMA (Kenchomae / Shabu-Shabu & Sukiyaki)

NAKAMA is a shabu-shabu specialty restaurant that can be found along the colorful, lively, downtown street of Kokusaidori in the city of Naha. The interior is designed in the likeness of an old-fashioned, traditional Okinawan home, where they serve the region's specialties like Ishigaki Beef and Agu Pork. Ishigaki Beef is a brand of exclusively purebred Kuroge (black) Japanese cattle, whose meats are known for their sweet, juicy flavor and a texture so tender it melts in your mouth. Some of the vegetables served with the meat are exotic flavors the likes of which you've never tried before, including handama (Okinawan spinach), goya (bitter melon), and okawakame (Madeira vine). Vegetables are also offered in a buffet-style format, where there are 10 different kinds of vegetables to choose from at any given time.

Shima Shabu-Shabu NAKAMA

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am -3:00 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm)
[Weekdays, Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays] Dinner 5:00 pm- 12:00 am (L.O. 11:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY / [Lunch] 2,000 JPY
Address: B1F, New San Parco Bldg., 3-3-1, Kumoji, Naha-shi, Okinawa Map
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9. Teppanyaki Steak Restaurant Heki Kokusaidori Matsuo Branch (Kenchomae / Steaks, Hamburg Steak, Curry)

This is a restaurant where you’ll be able to dig into A3-A5 grade Okinawan Kuroge Wagyu beef prepared on a teppanyaki (grilled on iron griddle). An atmosphere of warm wood floors, tables, and lighting create a homey atmosphere where your personal chef will prepare your meal right in front you on the large teppan in the center of the table. One of the recommendations is the [Prime Kuroge Wagyu Sirloin Steak] (9,000 JPY (plus tax)), served with a dipping sauce made with an Island Red Pepper that has a little kick of flavorful spice. To ensure that you can enjoy your meat hot off the griddle throughout the course of the entire dish, the restaurant cooks half of your meats first, then the other half with an interval in between.

Teppanyaki Steak Restaurant Heki Kokusaidori Matsuo Branch

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 4:00 pm (L.O. 3:00 pm) May be closed on some days, please check the home page for details.
[Weekdays, Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays] Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 8:30 pm) May be closed on some days, please check the home page for more details.
Closed: Irregular
For days closed, please check the home page.
Average price: 4,320 JPY Dishes are served as courses. 4,320 JPY - 15,660 JPY.
Address: 1-2-9, Matsuo, Naha-shi, Okinawa Map
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10. Sanchoku Agu no Mise Yuiyui (Omoromachi / Yakiniku)

Sanchoku refers to how the restaurant receives fresh, shipments of Okinawan Wagyu Beef and Agu Pork directly from where they're sourced, thereby making it possible for them to offer economical prices for yakiniku made with delectable, local cuts of meat. A specialty of the restaurant is the [Omakasemori] (3,800 JPY), which consists of an assortment of 5 of the best cuts of Okinawa Wagyu Beef and Agu Pork on any given day. If you're looking to splurge, go for the [Yuiyui Moriawase (A)] (5,800 JPY (plus tax)), which comes with 3 cuts of Wagyu beef and 3 cuts of Agu pork, most of which are cuts from scarcer parts of the animal. The meats are deftly carved by a seasoned chef versed in the textures and qualities of every part, resulting in cuts that are tender and flavors.

Sanchoku Agu no Mise Yuiyui

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, National Holiday, Days Before National Holidays] 5:30 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm)
Closed: Sunday
Average price: 4,500 JPY
Address: 1F, Aya Bldg., Omoromachi, Naha-shi, Okinawa

With all of the brand-name, high-end meats in the area, it wouldn't be an overstatement to say Okinawa is the dragon's horde for anyone who appreciates quality cuts of meat. If you're in the fortunate position of being on vacation in Okinawa, you can try the traditional Okinawan cuisine, but be sure to go for some of the sumptuous Wagyu beef as well.

Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.