[Okinawa] Don't Know Where to Go? Locals Are in Love With These Selected 15 Restaurants!

Update-date: Jun 25 2020
Author: SAVOR JAPAN
[Okinawa] Don't Know Where to Go? Locals Are in Love With These Selected 15 Restaurants!

Okinawa offers lots of recommended delicacies. Yakiniku, Okinawa soba, ramen, sushi and tonkatsu are just a few examples of an endless list. This article will introduce to you 15 recommended restaurants in Okinawa. Whether you're a first-timer or a frequent visitor, you will find these interesting!

1. [Yakiniku] Ryukyu Yakiniku NAKAMA (Yakiniku)

1. [Yakiniku] Ryukyu Yakiniku NAKAMA (Yakiniku)
[Okinawa] Don't Know Where to Go? Locals Are in Love With These Selected 10 Restaurants!
If you visit Japan, you must try yakiniku at least once - a staple consisting of pre-seasoned beef or pork meat cuts of various parts grilled on a griddle. At "Ryukyu Yakiniku NAKAMA", you'll be able to enjoy ingredients produced in Okinawa, like Ishigaki Beef and Agu Pork. The most recommended item is [Ishigaki Beef Assortment]. The flavor of their super fresh and fatty Ishigaki Beef is refreshing and slightly sweet. You can also grill some fresh Okinawan vegetables, starting from the renowned "goya". Another appealing point of the restaurant is that it was established in a 40-year-old Okinawan traditional house.

Ryukyu Yakiniku NAKAMA

Open: 17:00 - 00:00 (last order 23:00)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY
Access: Exit Okinawa Highway at the Kyoda Interchange. 7 minutes by car from Kyoda Interchange along National Route 58.
Address: 2247-1 Aza Nakama , Onnason, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa (Map)
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2. [Tonkatsu] Komiya Shokudo (Shuri / Japanese cuisine)

2. [Tonkatsu] Komiya Shokudo (Shuri / Japanese cuisine)
[Okinawa] Don't Know Where to Go? Locals Are in Love With These Selected 10 Restaurants!
When you want a stamina refill in Japan, have tonkatsu, a thick cut of pork loin or fillet coated in flour, egg and panko, and then deep-fried. "Komiya Shokudo" serves tonkatsu made with the Okinawan specialty Yanbaru Pork. Despite the large amount of fat, its meat is characterized by a light and sweet flavor that will literally explode in your mouth at every bite. Alternatively, you'll be able to find lots of creative dishes featuring Okinawan cuisine, among which Agu Pork menchi-katsu (minced meat cutlet)! Also worth mentioning is the traditional style of the interiors, furnished with a fireplace, horigotatsu (sunken kotatsu table) and other Japanese typical features.

Komiya Shokudo

Open: Normal hours: 11:00 am - 10:00 pm (last orders at 9:30 pm)
Closed: Sundays
Average price: [Dinner] 1,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: About 6 minutes by car from the front of Shuri Station. From the station, get on Okinawa Prefectural Road 29 and turn left at the intersection. Take another left at Prefectural Road 82 and there we are.
Address: 260-1 Oohana, Haebaru-cho, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa (Map)
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3. [Shabu-Shabu] Shabu-Shabu Kou Higashimachi main branch (Asahibashi / Shabu-shabu - Sukiyaki)

3. [Shabu-Shabu] Shabu-Shabu Kou Higashimachi main branch (Asahibashi / Shabu-shabu - Sukiyaki)
[Okinawa] Don't Know Where to Go? Locals Are in Love With These Selected 10 Restaurants!
Shabu-shabu refers to pork or beef meat thinly sliced and cooked by passing it quickly through the hot broth, a simple cooking method that makes the most of the original flavor of the ingredients! It's the specialty of "Shabu-Shabu Kou", where you'll get to savor shabu-shabu of local ingredients, such as Agu Pork raised in Okinawa, Ishigaki Beef and Yanbaru Beef (from A3 to A5 rank), as well as fresh Kumejima Red Chicken. They stock a whole Agu pig, allowing their customers to savor many different meat cuts.

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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4. [Ramen] Ramen Gado (Ramen)

4. [Ramen] Ramen Gado (Ramen)
[Okinawa] Don't Know Where to Go? Locals Are in Love With These Selected 10 Restaurants!
Whether the soup base is soy sauce, miso or tonkotsu (pork bones), every restaurant has its own unique version of ramen. The key feature of the one served by "Ramen Gado" is definitely the "spiciness". You can either choose from 100 grades of spiciness by ordering their [Volcano Ramen] (980 JPY) or take on the ultimate challenge with their special [Volcano Ramen EXTREME], which is 1,000 times spicier than regular ramen. If you're into hot spicy food, you should definitely try this one. Also, don't miss their [Gado Ramen] (850 JPY), whose fatty Agu Pork will allow you to enjoy the typical flavors of Okinawa.

Ramen Gado

Open: [Monday - Wednesday, Friday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] 11:00 am - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm)
Closed: Thursday
Average price: [Dinner] 900 JPY
Access: Near Chatan-undo-koen-mae
Address: 2-2-11 Mihama, Chatan-cho, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa (Map)
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5. [Sushi] Ajigokoro Taisho (Sushi)

5. [Sushi] Ajigokoro Taisho (Sushi)
[Okinawa] Don't Know Where to Go? Locals Are in Love With These Selected 10 Restaurants!
Referring to sour vinegar-flavored rice balls topped with seafood ingredients ("neta"), "sushi" is such a popular Japanese delicacy that it's now a common term used all over the world. The sushi chef of "Ajigokoro Taisho" is an expert on Okinawan ingredients, and he personally selects the best seafood for you to enjoy as sushi. With the [Premium Nigiri] costing 1,300 JPY and the [Deluxe Nigiri] being 2,000 JPY, the prices are pretty reasonable. Don't forget to pair your sushi with one of their many brands of Okinawan local sake, including the famed [Awamori]!

Ajigokoro Taisho

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Dinner 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:00 pm)
Closed: Sunday
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY
Access: From National Route 58, go along Prefectural Road 6. Near to Furugen Elementary School
Address: 1091 Sobe, Aza, Yomitanson, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa (Map)
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6. [Goya Chanpuru] En (Makishi / Creative Cuisine)

6. [Goya Chanpuru] En (Makishi / Creative Cuisine)
[Okinawa] Don't Know Where to Go? Locals Are in Love With These Selected 10 Restaurants!
Made by stir-frying a particularly bitter vegetable called "goya" together with egg, tofu and other ingredients, goya chanpuru is another staple of Okinawan home-cooking. Located inside Makishi Public Market, where you can shop for all sorts of local products, "En" offers you the opportunity to savor the perfect harmony between goya, Agu Pork and hens egg with its [Goya Chanpuru] (650 JPY each). You may also order it in a set meal along with white rice and miso soup. In addition, they also have the unusual goat sashimi, and many other creative Okinawan dishes, including [Squid Ink Yakisoba], made with Okinawan buckwheat noodles.

En

Open: 8:15 am - 9:00 pm (L.O. 8:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 2,000 JPY
Access: 10 minutes walk from Makishi Station  or Miebashi Station on Yui Rail Line, about 16 minutes by car from the airport
Address: 2F, Makishi Public Market, 2-7-10 Matsuo, Naha-shi, Okinawa

7. [Sukiyaki] Shukizen Kazuki (Kenchomae / Shabu-Shabu - Sukiyaki)

7. [Sukiyaki] Shukizen Kazuki (Kenchomae / Shabu-Shabu - Sukiyaki)
[Okinawa] Don't Know Where to Go? Locals Are in Love With These Selected 10 Restaurants!
Sukiyaki, that is beef meat stewed in a salty and sweet soy-based sauce and then dipped in egg, is an all-time favorite you can save for special occasions. If you order "Kazuki's" [Muscovado Cotton Candy Sukiyaki], they'll bring to your table a hotpot covered with a cotton candy made with 3 types of sugar, including muscovado and white sugar, in place of the lid. Once the heat is turned on, the cotton candy melts down creating a lovely sweet aroma. According to your budget, you can choose among several high-rank wagyu brands, like Ishigaki Beef (from 4,300 JPY), Kobe Beef (from 4,900 JPY) or Matsusaka Beef (from 6,500 JPY).

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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8. [Taco Rice] GATE1 Tomigusuku Branch (Akamine / Fast food)

8. [Taco Rice] GATE1 Tomigusuku Branch (Akamine / Fast food)
[Okinawa] Don't Know Where to Go? Locals Are in Love With These Selected 10 Restaurants!
The ingredients used in the Mexican street food "Tacos", are placed on top of white rice to create "Taco Rice", a delicacy born in Okinawa and now famous all over Japan. If you want to enjoy the authentic recipe, "GATE1's" taco rice comes highly recommended. All the ingredients are selected with great care: 100% domestically produced Koshihikari rice, lettuce and tomatoes harvested in the prefecture, and so on. Also, make sure you try their [Taco Rice Ball], wherein taco rice is shaped into a ball and deep-fried. Everything is handmade and the atmosphere is warm and cozy.

GATE1 Tomigusuku Branch

Open: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm (L.O. 8:00 pm) Open all year long, including New Year's
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 750 JPY / [Lunch] 750 JPY
Access: 1 minute by car from the outlet mall Ashibinaa heading towards Tomigusuku, it's on the left Map
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9. [Steak] Steak House 88 Onna Branch (Maeganeku Bus Stop / Japanese cuisine)

9. [Steak] Steak House 88 Onna Branch (Maeganeku Bus Stop / Japanese cuisine)
[Okinawa] Don't Know Where to Go? Locals Are in Love With These Selected 10 Restaurants!
Thick voluminous American steak is a thing in Japan as well! Having served genuine steaks for 63 years, the historical "Steak House 88" has just opened a new restaurant in the village of Onna. The menu item that has captured the hearts of the locals is the [Tenderloin Steak 100g] (1,600 JPY) made with fillet meat, which is available in very small quantities for each cow. It's characterized by a tender texture and a light flavor. You may also like their [Ocean Beef Premium Sirloin Steak 230g] (3,500 JPY) made with organic beef from New Zealand!

Steak House 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
Access: A few steps away from Maeganeku Bus Stop / 53 minutes by car from Furujima Station on the Yui Rail Line / 55 minutes by car from Naha City Hospital Station on the Yui Rail Line Map
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10. [Okinawa Soba] Onna Soba (Soba)

10. [Okinawa Soba] Onna Soba (Soba)
[Okinawa] Don't Know Where to Go? Locals Are in Love With These Selected 10 Restaurants!
Usually made of a tonkotsu and soy sauce-based soup, thick noodles and topped with beef meat, Okinawa soba is a traditional dish with an ancient history. Head to "Onna Soba" to enjoy [Soki Soba] (770 JPY) topped with salty and sweet pork spare ribs (soki), [Tebichi Soba] (770 JPY) topped with pork feet, and other delicious versions of Okinawa Soba. Their signature dish is topped with lots of ingredients, like cartilage, soki and pork belly, and it's called [Unna Soba] (660 JPY). You'll fall in love with its refreshing soup flavored with Agu Pork and dried bonito flakes.

Onna Soba

Open: [Monday, Wednesday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] 11:00 am - 9:00 pm (L.O. 8:30 pm) It may close earlier according to the availability of ingredients.
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 700 JPY / [Lunch] 650 JPY
Access: It's around 400m from Moon Beach Hotel heading towards Naga on Route 58! Right in front of Tiger Beach! Map
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11. [Agu Pork Cuisine] Okinawa Ryori Shimabutaya (Regional Cuisine)

11. [Agu Pork Cuisine] Okinawa Ryori Shimabutaya (Regional Cuisine)
[Okinawa] Don't Know Where to Go? Locals Are in Love With These Selected 15 Restaurants!
Agu is a type of brand pig raised in Okinawa. At [Okinawa Ryori Shimabutaya], they create a variety of dishes using Agu pork. The recommended item is the [Shimakuru Pork Seiro-Mushi Course] (3,980 JPY (plus tax)). Seiro steaming involves putting the ingredients in a seiro (a plaited tray made by braiding bamboo and wood) and then steaming them. With this meal, guests can enjoy 100% pure-bred Agu pork, known as [Shimakuru], steamed to perfection. The delicious aromas floating in the air with the steam will surely whet your appetite!

Okinawa Ryori Shimabutaya

Open: 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. Meals 11:00 pm, Drinks 11:30 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY
Access: 5 minutes by car from the Yaka IC on the Okinawa Expressway
Address: 6369-1, Onna, Onna-son, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa Map
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12. [Okinawa Zenzai] Yuki-no-Hana Naha Kokusai-dori Street Branch (Makishi / Dessert)

12. [Okinawa Zenzai] Yuki-no-Hana Naha Kokusai-dori Street Branch (Makishi / Dessert)
[Okinawa] Don't Know Where to Go? Locals Are in Love With These Selected 15 Restaurants!
Okinawa Zenzai is a type of candy made from beans stewed in white and brown sugar as well as broth, with shiratama (little rice flour dumplings) or shaved ice served on top. It is known as a staple summer treat in Okinawa. The [Okinawa Zenzai] (500 JPY) at [Yuki-no-Hana Naha Kokusai-dori Street Branch] has a great taste and a smooth texture. It’s the perfect food for a hot summer’s day. We recommend the matcha (powdered green tea), kinako (roasted soy bean powder), or kuromitsu (brown sugar syrup) toppings. Challenge yourself to try these distinct toppings that you will only find in Japan!

Yuki-no-Hana Naha Kokusai-dori Street branch

Open: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 1,000 JPY
Access: 10 minutes walk from [Makishi Station] on Yui Rail. On the road between McDonald's Kokusai-dori Street branch and the Ryukyu Kingdom Market 
Address: 2-2-20 Makishi, Naha city, Okinawa Map
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13. [Set Meal] Taishuryori Haebarugoten (Tsubogawa / Japanese Cuisine)

13. [Set Meal] Taishuryori Haebarugoten (Tsubogawa / Japanese Cuisine)
[Okinawa] Don't Know Where to Go? Locals Are in Love With These Selected 15 Restaurants!
A Japanese set meal is rice accompanied by side dishes, a soup, and pickled vegetables. At [Taishuryori Haebarugoten], they offer a variety of set meals based around Okinawan specialty foods. They recommend the [Goat Soup Set Menu] (1,680 JPY (plus tax)). The goat bones and meat are stewed for a long period of time, so the umami (Japanese savory taste) soaks into the soup. This is local cuisine that can’t be found anywhere else, even in other parts of Japan. The distinct flavors and aroma have made it quite popular!

Taishuryori Haebarugoten

Open: [Tuesday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 2:00 pm / Dinner 5:30 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm) Last order of food 10:00 pm / drinks 10:30 pm
Closed: Monday
Average price: [Dinner] 2,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: From Meijibashi on Route 58, head towards Haebaru on Route 329. Enter Tsukazan bypass and go straight ahead, it is located near the Haebaru interchange
Address: 301-8 Teruya, Haebaru-cho, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa Map
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14. [Ryukyu Cuisine] Ryukyuan Cuisine NUCHIGAFU (Makishi / Regional Cuisine)

14. [Ryukyu Cuisine] Ryukyuan Cuisine NUCHIGAFU (Makishi / Regional Cuisine)
[Okinawa] Don't Know Where to Go? Locals Are in Love With These Selected 15 Restaurants!
Ryukyu cuisine uses ingredients from the Okinawa area, cooked using traditional Okinawan methods passed down through generations. At [Ryukyuan Cuisine NUCHIGAFU], guests can enjoy a variety of traditional Ryukyu dishes in a traditional Japanese house. The recommendation is the [Extreme NUCHIGAFU Course] (7,000 JPY). This course is based on Okinawan local cuisine, particularly Ryukyu royal cuisine (the style of food that was eaten at the royal court during the Ryukyu Dynasty). It is made up of 9 dishes, including appetizers, soups, and deep-fried items, all collected into one luxurious meal. They use a variety of ingredients local to Okinawa, giving guests a feel for the local food culture. Tables are available by reservation only, so make sure to plan ahead.

Ryukyuan Cuisine NUCHIGAFU

Open: [Tuesday - Sunday] Lunch 11:00 am - 2:00 pm / Teatime 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm / Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm *Reservations are always required / Last entry is 8:00 pm
Closed: Monday
Average price: [Dinner] 7,000 JPY / [Lunch] 2,000 JPY
Access: A 3-minute walk from Tsuboya Yachimun-dori Street / A 5-minute walk from Kokusai-dori Street
Address: 1-28-3 Tsuboya, Naha-shi, Okinawa Map
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15. [Seafood Cuisine] Restaurant Uminosachi (Seafood)

15. [Seafood Cuisine] Restaurant Uminosachi (Seafood)
[Okinawa] Don't Know Where to Go? Locals Are in Love With These Selected 15 Restaurants!
If you’re visiting Okinawa, you will definitely want to eat fresh seafood. [Restaurant Uminosachi], located on Miyakojima and surrounded by clear blue water, is loved by locals and tourists alike. The secret to their popularity is that they use fresh fish caught each morning, which are stored in tanks and prepared to order for each guest. The restaurant is located right near the ocean, allowing it to serve truly fresh fish. A popular item is their [Sashimi of Ise Lobster] (price depends on weight). It is prepared to order, so almost any time you visit, you can enjoy fresh Ise lobster (Japanese spiny lobster). The meat is tender and richly sweet. There is a fishing ban on Ise lobster between April and July, meaning that this dish cannot be served then, so make sure to plan your trip accordingly.

Restaurant Uminosachi

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, Sunday] Lunch 11:30 am - 2:30 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm) / Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY / [Lunch] 2,000 JPY
Access: Head towards Painagama beach from Hirara port intersection, it is on your right
Address: 207-3, Hirara aza Shimozato, Miyakojima-shi, Okinawa Map
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Now that you've figured out what to eat and where to go, all you have to do is plan your foodie tour in Okinawa!
Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.
Update-date: Jun 25 2020
Author: SAVOR JAPAN

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