Live music at a restaurant along Naha's Kokusaidori Street
Okinawan cuisine differs significantly from Japanese cuisine due to the islands' unique history, during which its food culture was influenced especially by China, South East Asia, Japan and the United States, and due to the different climate with its effects on agriculture and appetite.
Okinawan dishes are widely available at restaurants throughout the prefecture. For trying out a variety of dishes, we recommend a visit to a local izakaya, where multiple smaller dishes are shared at the table. Some establishments offer live Okinawan music to further enhance the dining experience, especially in tourist districts like Naha's popular Kokusaidori Street.
Meals
The following three meals, especially Goya Champuru and Okinawa Soba, are omnipresent across Okinawa. They are popular not only among tourists, but also in home cooking:
Champuru
Champuru means "stir fry" in the Okinawan language and refers to a dish which was prepared by stir frying various ingredients. By far the most popular champuru variety is goya champuru, in which the bitter goya vegetable is stir fried with tofu, eggs and pork or spam. Other variations of champuru include fu (wheat gluten) champuru, tofu champuru and papaya champuru.
Okinawa Soba
Although they share the name with soba noodle dishes found on the Japanese mainland, Okinawa Soba are a completely different dish. They are made of wheat rather than buckwheat flour, and therefore resemble udon noodles more than soba noodles.
Similar to ramen noodles, Okinawa Soba are served in a bowl of broth with a number of toppings. A common topping is soft boiled pork, in which case the dish is called Soki Soba, but there are other varieties. The dish generally also includes green onions, kamaboko (fish cake) and red ginger.
Taco Rice
A result of the American presence in Okinawa, taco rice is a unique dish that is popular as an inexpensive, filling meal. The meal's exact origins are uncertain, but it appeared in Okinawa sometime after the end of the war.
A bowl of taco rice consists of typical taco ingredients, such as ground beef, lettuce, tomatoes and salsa, served over rice. Other taco ingredients like cheese or onions can also be included. The meal is typically eaten with a spoon rather than with chopsticks.
Small dishes
Like on the mainland, there are many izakaya style restaurants in Okinawa where diners share a number of small dishes instead of eating one main meal each. Among the most famous are:
Rafute
Rafute is a pork dish featuring thick cuts of meat from the pig's belly that have been boiled to become very soft. It was originally part of the cuisine of the Ryukyu royal court, but has since become a common dish. An order of rafute typically comes with one to three pieces of meat, but each piece is quite thick. The meat is cooked in soya sauce and fish broth, and sometimes awamori as well. The pieces of rafute are sometimes served with a bit of mustard as seasoning. The taste of the meat is usually very rich and savory.
Mimiga
Another pork dish, Mimiga consists of thinly cut pig's ear that is boiled or steamed. It comes with a crunchy texture and is usually seasoned with a ponzu sauce, salt or a peanut dressing.
Umibudo
Umibudo literally means "sea grapes" in Japanese, and this type of seaweed does indeed resemble grapes on a miniature scale. Each little umibudo ball has a soft skin that releases a salty liquid when bitten. Umibudo is usually served with little preparation, with only a bit of vinegar or soya sauce.
Tofuyo
Another derivative of the versatile soya bean, tofuyo is the result of fermenting and aging regular tofu. It is a powerful and pungent dish that is served in very small portions and commonly eaten with toothpicks. Tofuyo is often compared to strong cheese because of its similar texture and taste. The tofu is soaked in malted rice and awamori during the fermentation process, which takes a few months to complete. A red yeast is added in the process that gives the tofuyo its distinctive color. A glass of awamori is said to complement the taste of tofuyo nicely.
Yagi Sashimi
Yagi sashimi is raw goat meat, one of Okinawa's more challenging dishes. The slices of raw goat meat are presented and eaten in a similar fashion as regular seafood sashimi. The meat has a rather strong goaty flavor and is somewhat chewy.
Drinks
The following uniquely Okinawan drinks are very popular and widely available:
Orion Beer
Orion Beer is by far the most popular beer in Okinawa, but outside the islands it is quite uncommon. It has a light taste similar to Asahi Superdry, and is quite refreshing, making it a good drink for the beach in hot weather. It is widely available across the prefecture canned, bottled and as draft beer. A brewery in Nago is open to tourists.
Awamori
Awamori is a distilled spirit unique to Okinawa with an alcohol content usually between 30-40 percent. It is similar to but differs from shochu in that it is made from long-grained thai-style rice and uses a black koji mold indigenous to Okinawa. Awamori and Awamori-based cocktails are widely available across Okinawa.
Sanpin-cha
Sanpin-cha is the Okinawan name for Jasmine tea, and is widely popular across Okinawa. The tea is available at supermarkets, convenience stores, vending machines and at restaurants and is drunk hot or cold. Sanpin-cha was originally introduced from China and is generally flavored milder than its Chinese counterpart.
Set in Naha, 1.9 km from Naminoue Beach, Hotel Collective offers accommodation with a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, private parking, a fitness centre and a restaurant. Each accommodation at the 5-star hotel has city views, and guests can enjoy access to a sauna and a hot tub. The accommodation provides a 24-hour front desk, a concierge service and currency exchange for guests. The units come with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a fridge, a coffee machine, a bidet, free toiletries and a desk. At the hotel every room has bed linen and towels. Guests at Hotel Collective can enjoy a buffet breakfast. Tamaudun Mausoleum is 3.7 km from the accommodation, while Sefa Utaki is 20 km away. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, 5 km from Hotel Collective.
Ideally situated in Naha, The Kitchen Hostel Ao features a ? la carte breakfast and free WiFi throughout the property. This 1-star hostel has air-conditioned rooms with a shared bathroom. The property is non-smoking and is situated 1.2 km from Naminoue Beach. All rooms will provide guests with a desk and a kettle. Speaking English and Japanese, staff at the 24-hour front desk can help you plan your stay. Tamaudun Mausoleum is 4.7 km from the hostel, while Nakagusuku Castle is 20 km from the property. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, 4 km from The Kitchen Hostel Ao.
Set in Naha in the Okinawa region, with Naminoue Beach and Yachimun Street nearby, Little Island Okinawa Tomari offers accommodation with free WiFi. Accommodation is fitted with air conditioning, a fully equipped kitchen, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with shower, free toiletries and a hairdryer. A fridge, a microwave and stovetop are also featured, as well as a kettle. Tamaudun Mausoleum is 3.7 km from the aparthotel, while Nakagusuku Castle is 17 km away. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, 5 km from Little Island Okinawa Tomari.
Well located in the centre of Naha, Hotel Torifito Naha Asahibashi provides buffet breakfast and free WiFi throughout the property. Built in 2019, this 3-star hotel is within 1 km of Naminoue Beach and 5.1 km of Tamaudun Mausoleum. Private parking is available on site. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At Hotel Torifito Naha Asahibashi each room is fitted with bed linen and towels. Languages spoken at the reception include English, Japanese, Korean and Cantonese. Nakagusuku Castle is 20 km from the accommodation, while Sefa Utaki is 23 km away. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, 4 km from Hotel Torifito Naha Asahibashi.
Set in Naha and with Naminoue Beach reachable within 1 km, HOTEL ANTEROOM NAHA offers concierge services, non-smoking rooms, a restaurant, free WiFi throughout the property and a bar. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk. Private parking is available on site. At the hotel, all rooms are fitted with a balcony with a sea view. All guest rooms will provide guests with air conditioning, a safety deposit box and a flat-screen TV. The daily breakfast offers ? la carte, American or Asian options. Tamaudun Mausoleum is 5.6 km from HOTEL ANTEROOM NAHA, while Nakagusuku Castle is 19 km from the property. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, 4 km from the accommodation.
Ideally situated in the centre of Naha, Nest Hotel Naha Kumoji features air-conditioned rooms, a terrace and a restaurant. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space. Private parking is available on site. The rooms have a kettle, a flat-screen TV and a safety deposit box, while some rooms are fitted with a balcony and some have city views. At the hotel rooms come with bed linen and towels. A buffet breakfast is available each morning at Nest Hotel Naha Kumoji. Naminoue Beach is 1.4 km from the accommodation, while Tamaudun Mausoleum is 3.8 km from the property. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, 5 km from Nest Hotel Naha Kumoji.
Offering direct access from Asahibashi Monorail Station, Rihga Royal Gran Okinawa features spacious Western-style accommodations with free WiFi. Guests can ask for concierge services at the front desk. All rooms are non-smoking and feature air conditioning, a flat-screen satellite TV, safety deposit box and fridge. Guests can make green tea using the electric kettle and wear the provided sleepwear. The en suite bathroom comes with a hairdryer and toothbrush sets. Currency exchange and photocopying services are offered at the front desk. Laundry services are provided and on-site parking is available at an extra charge. The lobby is located on the 14th floor. A breakfast buffet and Western a la carte dishes are served at Dining 19, which offers beautiful sunset views from the top floor. Okinawa Gran Rihga Royal is a 10-minute walk from Kokusai Street and a 25-minute drive from Shuri Castle. Naha Airport is just a 10-minute drive or train ride away. A 24-hour convenience shop can be found next door.
Well set in Naha, Y's CABIN&HOTEL Naha Kokusai Street provides air-conditioned rooms, a shared lounge, free WiFi and a restaurant. This 2-star capsule hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space. Private parking is available on site. The rooms in the capsule hotel are equipped with a flat-screen TV. All units at Y's CABIN&HOTEL Naha Kokusai Street are equipped with a shared bathroom and bed linen. The accommodation offers 2-star accommodation with a sauna. Naminoue Beach is 1.4 km from Y's CABIN&HOTEL Naha Kokusai Street, while Tamaudun Mausoleum is 4.3 km away. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, 5 km from the capsule hotel.
Boasting a garden, a shared lounge as well as a restaurant, Tokyu Stay Okinawa Naha is situated in the centre of Naha, 1.9 km from Naminoue Beach. With free WiFi, this 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and a concierge service. The property is non-smoking and is set 5 km from Tamaudun Mausoleum. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bath. At Tokyu Stay Okinawa Naha rooms include bed linen and towels. The daily breakfast offers buffet, American or Asian options. Sefa Utaki is 21 km from the accommodation, while Nakagusuku Castle is 22 km from the property. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, 3 km from Tokyu Stay Okinawa Naha.
Situated in the centre of Naha, Rembrandt Style Naha is set 1 km from Naminoue Beach and 5.9 km from Tamaudun Mausoleum. With a restaurant, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. Private parking is available on site. All guest rooms in the hotel are equipped with a kettle. The rooms in Rembrandt Style Naha are fitted with a flat-screen TV and free toiletries. A buffet breakfast is available each morning at the accommodation. Speaking English and Japanese at the 24-hour front desk, staff are willing to help at any time of the day. Nakagusuku Castle is 20 km from Rembrandt Style Naha, while Sefa Utaki is 23 km from the property. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, 4 km from the hotel.