Okinawa Food Guide: Discovering the Island’s Must Try Dishes
Okinawa isn’t just an island known for stunning beaches and its vibrant culture, it’s also a foodie paradise with it’s own unique dishes. From delicious Okinawa Soba to American influenced taco rice and fresh fruits you won’t find anywhere else in Japan, Okinawa deserves to be one of Japan’s top food destinations.
My Okinawa food guide will take you through all the must try dishes, local specialties, and some of my recommended places to eat in Okinawa.
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I’ve traveled all throughout Japan and think Okinawa is so underrated when it comes to food. Afterall, you can find all your typical Japanese dishes like Okonomiyaki, Ramen, and Tonkatsu in Okinawa.
Okinawa’s history involves strong trading with China, has been influenced by Southeast Asian countries, and has a lot of United States inspired dishes. Think: Chinese inspired stir-fried dishes, spices from Southeast Asia, and a fusion of Japanese-American dishes like Taco Rice.
Mainland Japan eats a lot of chicken and seafood, whereas in Okinawa, Pork is King! It’s evident in many Okinawan dishes like tebichi (pork feet) and rafute (pork belly).
Since Okinawa is a subtropical climate, many ingredients grow well here that are not common in Japanese cooking like goya (bitter melon) and beni-imo (purple sweet potato).
There you have it! In Okinawa, I can find all my favorite mainland dishes but here I can also have tacos for lunch, order goya chanpuru as an appetizer, and eat pig feet as a main course.
Okinawa Food Dishes You Have to Try!
Whenever you visit Okinawa, make eating out a priority. The food in Okinawa is unique and absolutely delicious.
I made this Okinawa food guide to first explain some of the dishes that are unique to Okinawa but secondly because I have a deep love for the cuisine here and want to share all the must-eats when visiting Okinawa, so you don’t miss out!
Okinawa Soba
Perhaps the most recognizable dish that every Okinawan loves is Okinawa Soba. You can’t walk but 5 minutes without seeing a small Okinawa Soba shop.
Unlike soba in mainland Japan that is made of buckwheat noodles, Okinawa Soba features a thick wheat noodle that is served in a pork-based broth. The soba is then topped with meat slices or chunks, green onion, and various other toppings.
On the table, you will find pickled ginger and Koregusu, which is a chili sauce made of awamori (local rice spirit) and chilis. You can freely add these toppings to your soba to your liking.
There are several types of Soba. You’ll see traditional Okinawan Soba which is topped with slices of pork belly. My favorite is Soki Soba which includes pork ribs. There is also Tebichi Soba or tofu Soba. For starters, I’d try the traditional Okinawa Soba.
Here are 3 Soba Restaurants Worth Trying:
✅ Jaagaru Soba
98-1 Yoshihara, Chatan, Nakagami District, Okinawa 904-0105
✅ Soba Pan
1 Chome-4-29 Takahara, Okinawa, 904-2171
✅ Tetsukono Soba
760 Gushiken, Motobu, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-0201
Taco Rice
One dish you wouldn’t expect to find anywhere in the world but it exists in Okinawa and is delicious is Taco Rice.
Taco Rice is a fusion dish that blends Japanese Rice with Tex-Mex. You start off with a layer of rice and top it off with your favorite taco mix ins like ground beef, shredded cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes.
Traditionally, there are places like King Tacos that serve it old fashioned with just rice and taco toppings. As taco rice gains in popularity, some restaurants, like Kijimuna have added their own twist the taco rice like adding an omelet on top or teriyaki chicken.
When visiting Okinawa, Taco Rice is a must try food dish. It’s cheap, filling, and surprisingly delicious.
Here are 3 Taco Rice Restaurants Worth Trying:
✅ Kijimuna
Multiple Locations
6092-1 Onna, Kunigami District, Okinawa 904-0411
Rycom and Parco City Malls
✅ Rice Bowl Factory
348-1 Kouri, Nakijin, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-0406
✅ Coco Demo Tacos
94 Misaki, Kitanakagusuku, Nakagami District, Okinawa 901-2321
Burgers, that's right! Burgers!
What if I were to tell you I’ve had the best burgers of my life in Okinawa. Most people wouldn’t believe me. After all burgers are an American thing therefore the best are in the USA.
Well, the Japanese like to take one thing and perfect it. Just so happened that in Okinawa, they perfected the American Hamburger. They use the freshest ingredients here, locally baked buns, and mouthwatering meat.
Just because you are visiting Okinawa and want to try local Okinawan cuisine, don’t pass up a decent burger joint, it just might be the best burger you’ve ever had!
Here are 3 Hamburger Restaurants Worth Trying:
✅ Burger Wolf
2 Chome-56-3 Awase, Okinawa, 904-2172
✅ Sandbox Burgers
1-20 Miyagi, Chatan, Nakagami District, Okinawa 904-0113
✅ Burger Revolution
2 Chome-1-1 Tomari, Naha, Okinawa 900-0012
Umibudo (Sea Grapes)
Umibudo otherwise known as sea grapes are an Okinawan specialty and can be found thorough out the island.
Sea grapes are sometimes referred to as “Green Caviar,” and resemble tiny grapes. I love the texture of the sea grapes as they pop in your mouth releasing a salty and ocean flavor.
Sea grapes are usually come chilled and are served with soy sauce or ponzu sauce.
Many Izakaya’s in Okinawa will have sea grapes on the menu. They can also be purchased at most markets and grocery stores.
Tebichi
When visiting Okinawa, you have to try Tebichi. Tebichi is a dish that is made from pig’s feet. Tebichi is so tender, you can pull it apart with chopsticks. It can be eaten as is or added to soups like Soba. Tebichi Soba is wonderful!
I think a lot of visitors are put off by the appearance of tebichi or the texture. The pork foot is bony and full of gelatinous meat. But it’s so rich in flavor, I absolutely love it!
Don’t be discouraged by the look of tebichi, it’s a flavorful Okinawan dish that is a must try.
Goya Champuru
Besides Okinawa Soba, nothing else represents Okinawan cooking better then Goya Champuru.
Goya is a bitter melon and Champuru is Okinawan for “Something Mixed.” Goya Champuru is a dish that is made at almost any Izakaya, Shokudo, and restaurant in Okinawa and it is prepared and cooked differently at every place.
The typical ingredients you’ll see in Goya Champuru include the goya, tofu, eggs, a meat (usually pork), topped with bonito flakes and soy sauce.
This savory and bitter dish will surely catch your attention. Like me, you might not like it as much at first but over time you’ll find yourself craving it.
Okinawa Tempura
Tempura is a dish that is found all throughout Japan and is just as popular as Sushi and Ramen. So why am I talking about Tempura in an Okinawa specific post? Well, Okinawa has their own style of tempura that is both unique and delicious.
Mainland Japan likes their tempura light and crispy, meanwhile Okinawans love their tempura thick and fluffy.
Common tempura dishes in Okinawa include fish, squid, crab, pumpkin, and mixed vegetable (my favorite)!
You can find Okinawa Tempura all around Okinawa but hands down, the best tempura in Okinawa can be found on Ojima Island, about 30 minutes from Naha Airport.
There is one restaurant in particular that is my favorite and loved by both locals and tourists. That restaurant is called, Oshiro. It’s takeout, you order the tempura you want on a list and the number of pieces you want. Hand the staff your ticket, pay, and wait.
Your tempura will be freshly made and you can sit at the restaurant and eat or enjoy tempura on the nearby seawall.
My recommendation is come closer to when they open, especially if you want to try the mixed vegetable tempura.
Bizarre Food Dishes in Okinawa
I am a big fan of trying everything at least once. How else are you going to know if you like a certain dish or not.
In general, you don’t find to many bizarre foods in Japan. Sure you can if you look hard enough. None the less here are some of the more interesting foods in Okinawa that I’ve tried, actually enjoyed, and highly recommend trying!
Irabu (Sea Snake) Soup
Irabu is an Okinawan soup that is made with sea snake. The particular sea snake used in Irabu is the Black-Banded Sea Krait, the one you see all the time while snorkeling or diving in Okinawa.
The snake is dried and smoked before being prepared and added to the soup. The soup consists of a broth, maybe chunks of pork, konbu (type of kelp) and a piece of the sea snake.
In my Interesting Food Around the World post I have additional information on Irabu Soup in Okinawa.
There are a couple places in Okinawa to eat Irabu, I tried the soup when visiting Kudaka Island.
Basashi (Raw Horse Meat)
Basashi or raw horse meat is a Japanese delicacy. Not specific to Okinawa but it can be found in a lot of restaurants, particularly at Izakaya’s.
Basashi is usually served as sashimi and is thinly sliced. It can be enjoyed with soy sauce, garlic, ginger, or other sauces.
Torisashi (Raw Chicken)
The only place in the world I would trust to eat raw chicken is in Japan. In Japanese, raw chicken is known as Torisashi.
Although Torisashi can be found in both mainland Japan and Okinawa, I am including it in my Okinawa food guide, because it is in many Izakaya’s menus here and is worth trying.
Torisashi is usually served in the form of sashimi and can be lightly seared on the outside. The few times I’ve eaten it, I have enjoyed it and recommend trying it at least once if you see it on the local menu.
Yagi Sashi (Raw Goat)
Yagi Sashi is actually a raw meat dish that hails from Okinawa and has deep cultural roots.
Yagi means goat and Sashi means sashimi. That’s right, raw goat!
At Izakaya’s and specialty restaurants the raw goat is served thinly sliced and chilled usually with a dollop of ginger and soy sauce.
The Yagi Sashi has a gamey taste and seems like you either love it or hate it. I am on the “Love it” side of the spectrum and love the gamey flavor.
Okinawa Snacks and Desserts
With a blend of tropical flavors and traditional Japanese sweets, Okinawa has some of the best desserts in Japan.
From beni-imo snacks and fun chinsuko flavors to refreshing shaved ice and local ice cream flavors, here are some of the snacks and desserts in Okinawa that you have to try!
Shaved Ice
During the summer, Okinawa gets really hot and humid. Sometimes it is unbearable.
Because of the extreme heat and humidity, a lot of places sell a dessert called kakigori or shaved ice.
I’ve never been a fan of shaved ice in the United States but the few times I’ve had it in Okinawa during the summer months, I find it really refreshing.
Kakigori is a dessert that is made of real fine shaved ice with flavoring. In Okinawa, a lot of the flavors mimic fresh fruit like Mango.
Not for me, but locals love the Okinawan Zenzai shaved ice. This style of shaved ice is topped with sweet red beans, mochi, and brown sugar syrup.
I’ll just stick to the Mango or Dragon Fruit shaved ice.
Blue Seal Ice Cream
Blue Seal Ice Cream is an Okinawan brand of ice cream that is known for it’s local and traditional flavors.
On a hot Okinawa summer day, who doesn’t love a nice bowl or cone of ice cream? Thankfully, Blue Seal is everywhere here, even at Naha Airport.
Some of the unique ice cream flavors include Beni-imo, Shikuwasa, and Chinsuko.
You can easily spot a tourist in Okinawa because they will have either a Blue Seal Ice Cream bag or shirt.
Sata Andagi (Okinawa Donut)
No Okinawa Food Guide is complete without mentioning the Sata Andagi or Okinawa Donut.
The Okinawa Donut is comfort food and can be enjoyed for breakfast, with coffee, dessert, or as a snack.
These donuts are deep-fried and have a crispy outside with a soft and fluffy inside.
The original flavor is plain but now you can find a wide variety of Okinawa Donut flavors to include beni-imo, brown sugar, coffee, chocolate, pumpkin, banana, and many more.
Here are 3 Okinawa Donut Places Worth Trying:
✅ Kyoda Roadside Station
17-1 Kyoda, Nago, Okinawa 905-0024
✅ Kaboten no Mise Nakasone
6 Chome-7-6 Goya, Okinawa, 904-0021
✅ Ryukyu Kashi-Dokoro Ryugu
3 Chome-1-17 Makishi, Naha, Okinawa 900-0013
Beni-imo (Sweet Potato)
I know, sweet potatoes can be found all over the world. In Okinawa, sweet potatoes are known as Beni-imo and it’s found everywhere in every dish from ice cream flavors to tarts.
Beni-imo is another healthy dish like the goya, it is considered a super food due to it being rich in fiber and vitamins.
Yomitan Village is known for their Beni-imo in Okinawa. Yomitan’s manhole covers even has the famous sweet potato on it.
Conclusion
Some of the best food in Japan can be found in the Island Prefecture of Okinawa. You can find all the best food in mainland Japan here plus American inspired dishes, not to mention Okinawa has their own unique and delicious dishes.
This Okinawa food guide is a way for me to share my love for Okinawan food and provide a little background on some of the dishes unique to the island.
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