Okinawan Kind of Food Guide

Mista-T's Okinawa Touring Guide

Okinawan Kind of Food Guide

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Okinawa Soba

Okinawa soba is a type of noodle that is similar to Japanese soba. However, the noodle is made of wheat without soba powder, which is used for soba noodle to be called "soba." Soba lovers used to argue that Okinawa soba should not be called "soba" since it does not contain soba powder. Historically, Okinawan people believed that what they have been eating was soba and people from mainland Japan named the noodle "Okinawa soba."

The most popular food in Okinawa

The taste of Okinawa soba is different from shop to shop. Every shop has its own way of making the soup. The most common ingridients for the soup are tuna, tuna flakes, chicken, and pork. The noodle tastes like Udon, which is another popular kind of needle in Japan. As soon as you go to soba ship, you would notice other kind of Okinawa soba called "So-ki Soba." So-ki soba is the same as Okinawa soba but it has diced pork in it. So if you are meat lover, then order So-ki soba.

Ryukyu Ryouri

Ryukyu Ryouri is a food category that of Okinawan traditional dishes. Each dish is prepared based on traditional Ryukuan recipie. All the ingridients of Ryukyu Ryouri are the local agricultural or ocean products such as Goya, Mozuku, pork, fish, and so forth. Ryukyu Ryouri has almost similar concept as Japanese "Kaiseki Ryouri", which is served for treating guests on special occasions. Ryukyu Ryouri, however, has Chinese influence in its process of coooking that it is somewhat different from Kaisaki Ryouri. Ryukyu Ryouri usually is served in Ryukyu Lacqureware and with Ryukyuan Sake called "Awamori."

Ryukyu Ryouri is served to treat guests on special occasions

Goya

Goya is a kind of cucumber in shape but it has lots of spikes on the surface. People sometimes call Goya "Nigauri", which means bitter cucumber. Indeed, Goya just tastes nothing but bitter. Goya contains lots of vitamins that generates stamina in the hot summer. Goya is usually cooked as stur fries with Tofu and Eggs. Goya champuru (Goya stur fries) is the most popular food next to Okinawa soba in Okinawa.

Goya is a unique vegetable originated in Okinawa

Fish

There are many tropical fish in Okinawa's ocean. You will find variety of colorful fish at the fish market all around Okinawa. The most popular fish eaten among Okinawans from the ancent is called "Gurukun" or "Banana Fish." Fish is not only the sea food sold in the market but also all kinds of sea products such as crawfish, shells, clubs, and seaweed. Just walking around the fish market may satisfy your appetite for eating sea food.

Fish market is always crowded with people and fish

Sa-ta-andagi-

Sa-ta-gandagi- is a Okinawan direct literary meaning "sugar fries." It is very similar to old fashioned dounut but its just ball-shaped. Sa-ta-andagi- is typical Okinawan sweets found everywhere in Okinawa. If you like donut, I am sure you like Sa-ta-andagi- as well.

The donut-like taste of Sa-ta-andagi- is the typical Okinawan sweets

Orion Beer

First brewed in 1957, Orion Beer has been the most popular local beer among Okinawans. This light bitter draft beer best match iwth all kinds of Okinawan dishes.

Orion Beer is Okinawa's original draft beer that has been the most popular among Okinawans