The 10 unmissable restaurants in Okinawa and Southeast Islands, January 2019 Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Guide-

Update-date: Jun 05 2020

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

Categories: Okinawa

The 10 unmissable restaurants in Okinawa and Southeast Islands, January 2019

Planning a trip to Okinawa and Southeast Islands and looking for something specific to eat? There are plenty of restaurants to suit every tastes. Discover the best places to eat here, from traditional meal and quintessentially comfort food to western-style dishes and varied ethnic cuisine.

See full listings of restaurants found in and around Okinawa.

1. Yakiniku DRExDRE

Yakiniku DRExDRE is a yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) restaurant committed to serving Wagyu (a type of high-quality beef) from Okinawa, such as Motobu beef and Ishigaki beef, with the slogan of "Welcome to a tour of Okinawan food!". The beef served here are all A3 to A5 grade and are outstanding in quality, marbling, and the aroma when grilled, so both your soul and stomach will be satisfied. They also procure Agu pork, so you can enjoy the regional flavors of both beef and pork. The Okinawan dishes are all original items with DRExDRE twists. The food is served in Yachimun porcelain from Okinawa and the fixtures made by Okinawan furniture makers so that you can experience the appeal of Okinawa in all aspects of the restaurant. An excellent place for locals and for travelers to add tasty yakiniku to their memories of Okinawa.

Yakiniku DRExDRE

Open: [Tuesday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm)
Closed: Monday
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY
Access: About 100 meters from the [Seragaki Beach Mae] bus stop.
Address: 1414-1, Serakaki, Onna-son, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa

2. Mori no Kenja

This insider spot, 5 minutes by car from Ishigaki Harbor Terminal, is perfect for experiencing food created from the bountiful ingredients and seasonings of Yaeyama. There are many original creations on offer here, such as an Italian ratatouille arranged with nabera (luffa). They also use many herbs from Yaeyama, such as chomeiso (Okinawan parsley), to create food that is both tasty and healthy. The restaurant's wood interior evokes Yaeyama's nature, creating a relaxing atmosphere, and there is both a semicircular counter as well as table seating that can accomodate single diners, families, and even parties of up to 20! The original fermented creations, such as black vinegar and tomato soy sauce, that they sell here are popular souvenirs among visitors to Ishigaki.

Mori no Kenja

Open: 6:00 pm - 12:00 am
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY
Access: 5 minutes by car from Ishigaki Terminal
Address: 49-2, Arakawa, Ishigaki-shi, Okinawa (Map)
More Details Reservation

3. Izakaya Marusa Main branch

Fully enjoy our reasonable sashimi and simmered fish using just caught fish. 6-7 kinds of fish are always available. The contents vary depending on the weather condition, etc. Inside the restaurant is an open space filled with a homey Okinawan atmosphere, where you can reasonably enjoy typical casual Okinawan local dishes, such as [Stir-Fried Bitter Melon with Meat, Tofu, and Other Vegetables] and [Okinawan-Style Braised Pork]. Approximately 10 kinds of island liquor and awamori (Okinawan liquor) are always available, as well as local beer from Ishigak-jima Island. We are popular among tourists as well.

Izakaya Marusa Main branch

Open: 6:00 pm - 0:00 am
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY
Access: 150 meters from Art Hotel Ishigaki
Address: 503-1 Ishigaki, Ishigaki city, Okinawa (Map)
More Details Reservation

4. Bar Crib

The staff double as DJs, MCs, and dancers at Bar Crib, and a sense of unity emerges as the DJ guides and shapes the room's feeling through the music. Customers and staff alike will find themselves swept up in fun at this music bar! The continually changing events shift depending on the season and feature many guests, another draw here. At Bar Crib, the interior walls are green, and the music-themed furnishings add to the stylish atmosphere. This green design scheme is inspired by the colors of the New York beer, Brooklyn Lager, and the relaxing atmosphere will make you feel like you've been invited into the home of DJ and owner Maeda. "Crib" is certainly an apt name for this spot where music lovers come together to hang out.

Bar Crib

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Dinner 9:00 pm - 3:00 am
Closed: Sunday
Average price: [Dinner] 2,700 JPY
Access: 1 minute walk from Exit 2 at [Makishi Station]. Go east along Kokusai Street and it will be on your left immediately, on 4F of the Taiei Bldg.
Address: 4F, Taei Bldg., 1-1-60, Asato, Naha-shi, Okinawa

5. Aoiya Asahibashi Ekimae Branch

Aoiya Asahibashi Ekimae Branch is where you can enjoy Okinawan home cooking made with plenty of local ingredients, such as Wagyu from Okinawa and Agu pork. It is an izakaya where you can have a lively and fun time in an environment full of Okinawan atmosphere with benigata (Okinawan traditional resist dyed cloth) on the ceiling. There is a full range of satisfying meat dishes, such as the [Okinawan Wagyu Steak and Tartar Grilled Red Shrimp] - popular for the combination of Wagyu from Okinawa, with the perfect balance of lean meat and fat, and plump red shrimp - and the [Soki Grilled with Black Pepper] that has an aroma of garlic and black peppers. The roomy restaurant has counter seating, tables, and Japanese-style room with horigotatsu (sunken kotatsu table) seating, making it appropriate for various occasions. The live performance of traditional Okinawan folk music livens up the atmosphere.

Aoiya Asahibashi Ekimae Branch

Open: [Monday - Thursday, Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:00 pm)[Friday, Saturday] 5:00 pm - 1:00 am (L.O. 12:00 am)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY
Access: About 2 minutes on foot from Asahibashi Station on the Yui Rail line. From Asahibashi Crossing, walk about 2 minutes towards Higashi-machi.
Address: 1F, Higashi-machi Planet Bldg., 11-18, Higashi-machi, Naha-shi, Okinawa (Map)
More Details Reservation

6. Pork Horumon Ganaha Yakiniku branch

Pork Horumon Ganaha Yakiniku branch cuisine

[Pork Hormone Ganaha Yakiniku branch] offers Okinawan brand porks, such as [Yanbaru Island Pork Agu] and [Yambaru Pork]. Thoroughly enjoy very fresh and high-quality pork directly sent from our farm. We serve the widest variety of innards in Okinawa prefecture. If you do not know what to order, we recommend [Five-Assorted Pork Innards] with five different innards which are carefully selected by us. This dish is also ideal for those who have never tried innards. [Assortment of the Whole Yambaru Island Pork Agu] is also popular, where you can taste every part of Agu Pork. We also serve various Japanese beef which is carefully-selected from all over Japan, which is very popular especially among meat lovers. Our restaurant, with a casual and relaxing atmosphere, has an open space surrounded with glass. We are ideal to casually enjoy drinking on the way home from work, or for banquets.

Pork Horumon Ganaha Yakiniku branch

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Lunch from 11:30 am (L.O. 3:00 pm) / Dinner 3:00 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY
Access: 5 minutes walk from [Miebashi Station] on Yui Rail. Go along the river towards the direction of Kenchomae Station, then on the corner with Kumoji-bashi Bridge.
Address: 2F, Hana bldg., 2-11-16 Kumoji, Naha city, Okinawa

7. Ganaha Pork Restaurant Kafuna Asahibashi

Ganaha Pork Restaurant Kafuna Asahibashi cuisine

[Ganaha Pork Restaurant Kafuna Asahibashi] is approximately 5 minutes walk from Asahibashi Station on Okinawa Urban Monorail Line Yui Rail. We mainly offer pork dishes using high-quality pork from Okinawa prefecture. Our main dish is [The Whole Agu Pork] using the whole Agu Pork from the Ganaha region, where you can fully enjoy shabu-shabu (sliced meat parboiled with vegetables) with 6 different cuts; fillet, loin, rib, arm, thigh, and shoulder loin. You can enjoy every part of our proud pork, [except the grunting sounds]. As many people visit us from inside and outside Japan, we offer the taste and menu for such a wide range of people. We make efforts to offer [Okinawan tastes] which are easy for everyone to enjoy.

Ganaha Pork Restaurant Kafuna Asahibashi

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 4:30 pm (L.O. 4:00 pm) / [Weekdays, Weekends] Dinner 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:00 pm) *We do not serve lunch on Sunday
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 5,500 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: Directly connected to Asahibashi Station on Okinawa Urban Monorail Line Yui Rail
Address: 1F, Asahibashi B-gaiku Bldg., 1-9 Asahimachi, Naha city, Okinawa

8. Agu Tonkatsu Coshon

[Agu Tonkatsu Coshon] is approximately 3 minutes walk from Kencho Station on Okinawa Urban Monorail Line [Yui Rail]. We specialize in crispy and juicy pork cutlet using savory Agu Pork. Our most recommended menus are fillet cutlet and loin cutlet. Fillet cutlet has a tender texture with less fat with a refreshing flavor. Loin cutlet has a juicy and sweet taste. The inside of the restaurant has a warm and relaxing atmosphere with wooden furniture and a mild color tone. Relax and enjoy your meal with spacious seating in an open atmosphere.

Agu Tonkatsu Coshon

Open: 11:00 am - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 1,300 JPY
Access: 3 minutes walk from [Kenchomae Station] on Okinawa Urban Monorail Line [Yui Rail]
Address: 1F, Y'S Bldg., 1-2-1 Kumoji, Naha city, Okinawa (Map)
More Details Reservation

9. Yakiniku Hana Rampu

[Yakiniku Hana Rampu] has been loved by the people in the town of Chatan for more than 20 years. Our owner, with many years of experience, places the most importance on [meat texture]. We thickly cut our meat, as we have confidence in their tenderness. They are charcoal-grilled to remove extra fat and add a good aroma. We also serve reasonable assortments, such as [Set for Two] and [Set for Three] according to the number of people, and [Family Set] ideal for families. These sets come with various meats, including loin, skirt steak, and kalbi carefully-selected by our owner, rice, soup, and kimchi. Please visit our restaurant, relax and stretch your legs at a horigotatsu (sunken kotatsu table) table based mainly of wood, and enjoy our yakiniku to your heart's content with family and friends.

Yakiniku Hana Rampu

Open: [Monday - Wednesday, Friday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Dinner from 5:00 pm (Food L.O. 10:00 pm, Drink L.O. 10:30 pm)
Closed: Thursday
Average price: [Dinner] 2,000 JPY
Access: 1 minute by car from the [Mihama] Intersection on National Route No.58 / 2 minutes by car from the American Village
Address: Miyagawa Mansion, 2-2-4 Mihama, Chatan-cho, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa

10. YUME sushi

The restaurant is designed with wood tones and has a warm atmosphere, brightened by decorations of seasonal plants and flowers. The recommended sushi here include the chu-toro made with top grade domestic bluefin tuna, delivered directly from a tuna wholesaler, Yamayuki, in Tsukiji, as well as the dotted gizzard shad that has been seasoned with just the right amount of salt and vinegar. Yume Sushi, where you can enjoy Edo-style sushi without leaving Okinawa, is in a convenient location, just a 3-minute walk from Prefectural Office Station. It is a child-friendly restaurant with some horigotatsu (sunken kotatsu table) seating and is recommended for family dinners too. Alcoholic beverages on offer here include koshu, shochu, awamori (all Japanese alcohol), beer, top class Niigata sake (Japanese alcohol) and more. The special private room that can accommodate between 4 and 8 guests has a counter and dedicated Japanese cuisine chef and wait staff, so it is perfect for special occasions and business dinners.

YUME sushi

Open: Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm [Weekdays, Saturday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 10,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,500 JPY
Access: Walk 3 minutes from [Kenchomae Station]. Near The Bank of Okinawa Head Office after crossing the crosswalk in front of [Kenchomae Station].
Address: 1F, Sono Bldg., 3-9-10, Kumoji, Naha-shi, Okinawa (Map)
More Details Reservation

レストランの指定

Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.