Must-Visit Seafood Izakayas and Japanese-style Restaurants in Okinawaー5 Gems to Include in Your Trip Itinerary Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Guide-

Update-date: Apr 11 2024

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

Must-Visit Seafood Izakayas and Japanese-style Restaurants in Okinawaー5 Gems to Include in Your Trip Itinerary

The azure sky and sea. Okinawa has lots of delicacies that will satisfy both your mind and your stomach, making you forget about everyday life. Many dishes come to mind, including traditional local cuisine and steaks, but we have focused on savoring the bounty of the sea. We have selected five restaurants that pride themselves on their seasonal seafood dishes.

See full listings of restaurants found in and around Okinawa.

Naha - Shimauta Live Oba no ie Mion

Grandma's home cooking and live folk songs. Enjoy a night unique to Okinawa!

Mion, a restaurant like "grandma's house with live island songs," is conveniently located a 5-minute walk from both Makishi Station and Miebashi Station. Located in the middle of shops along Kokusai-dori Street, this is a place where you can enjoy traditional Okinawan home cooking prepared by grandmas. The restaurant offers a wide variety of flavors that can only be found in Okinawa, such as fresh island vegetables and island fish that are purchased daily. It will add even more color to your memories of your trip.

5 Japanese-style restaurants and izakayas [Japanese-style pubs] that pride themselves on their seafood and that you should visit at least once during your trip to Okinawa

The spacious interior is furnished with table seating and a small tatami room with a sunken kotatsu. There is also counter seating for a casual visit. Okinawan folk songs are performed live three times a day on the stage in front of the restaurant. Enjoy over 30 types of awamori [shochu made in Okinawa] and aged sake from an earthenware jar while listening to the music.

Shimauta Live Oba no Ie Mion

TEL: +81-50-5384-8872
Address: B1F, 1-3-58, Makishi, Naha-shi, Okinawa
Access: 5 minutes walk from Makishi Station

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Naha - Kamesennin Kumoji Branch

There are lots of local specialties to enjoy in the "dragon's palace." This is the best place to create stories about your trip.

Kamesennin in Kumoji is a 3-minute walk from Kencho-mae Station. This izakaya will enthrall you with its gorgeous interior reminiscent of a dragon's palace. Foremost among the 50 dishes on the menu is a fresh fish dish that mainly features local products. The Sashimi Treasure Chest, which includes 5 types of sashimi, is a great value and reasonably priced. They also recommend the set menus featuring Okinawan specialties.

The tables have aquariums next to them with colorful fish swimming around, and the lights are decorated with fish motifs, meticulously creating the atmosphere of a dragon's palace. You will be encouraged to have an extraordinary experience. There is also a spacious room with a sunken kotatsu-style tatami mat for large gatherings, where the atmosphere is more relaxed. Private rooms are also available.

Naha - Izakaya Bochira

Fresh seasonal fish purchased directly from fishermen on Miyako Island. Compliments to the reasonable prices!

Located a 5-minute walk from Kencho-mae Station, Bochira is an izakaya that boasts fresh seafood purchased directly from fishermen in the waters around Miyako Island. This restaurant has made a splash with its dishes featuring seafood such as slipper lobster and fresh tuna from the prefecture at a reasonable price. There are dishes you will not want to miss, such as the Assorted Sashimi that includes premium local ish such as leopard coral grouper and bridled parrotfish!

The restaurant, which was designed to resemble "a friend's home in Okinawa," has a warm interior amply reflecting the personality of the owner. Diners are welcomed with the genial hospitality particular to Okinawa. Seating is mainly at tables with a sunken kotatsu, and there is also counter seating. You can enjoy specialty dishes while relaxing and enjoying your time in Okinawa.

Itoman - Aishu Sakaba Tecchan

Enjoy unique flavors of fresh fish and innovative dishes unique to Itoman, a port town.

An izakaya, Tecchan is a "beloved pub" located near the Itoman Central Market. The menu mainly consists of dishes unique to Itoman, a port town, and you can enjoy unexpected delicacies that may not be evident from the names of the dishes. The key to the delicious dishes is fresh seafood purchased from local fishmongers. You can enjoy dishes such as Fish from Coastal Waters Grilled in Butter, which is a specialty.

As soon as pass through the entrance, you will see an open kitchen with counter seating. The warm, relaxed atmosphere of the sunken kotatsu-style table seating can accommodate up to 20 people when the tables are put together. In addition, there is a chic private room with a round table for a small number of diners. Every seat is comfortable enough to make you want to stay longer.

Aishu sakaba Tecchan

TEL: +81-50-5870-5736
Address: 989-57 Itoman, Aza, Itoman-shi, Okinawa

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Motobu - Uminchu Ryori Kaihoumaru

Local fish dishes you will want to enjoy when sightseeing at Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium.

Kaihoumaru is located near the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. This popular restaurant serves "fishermen's cuisine," with a focus on fresh local fish purchased at the market every morning. The Seafood Rice Bowl with Sea Grapes, which is lavishly topped with about 6 types of seasonal fish that change daily and sea grapes, is exquisite. The restaurant also boasts dishes that incorporate ingredients from the northern part of Okinawa's main island, such as island vegetables and Agu pork.

The spacious interior has a modern feel from the combination of concrete and wood. Seating is mainly at tables, but there is also a small wooden floor in one corner. There is also counter seating where you can casually enjoy drinks like awamori [shochu made in Okinawa] with a la carte dishes. The restaurant's location in the popular Hanasaki Marche shopping center in Okinawa is also one of its appeals.