The sausage and shrimps

We went out with Yuyu’s parents who were visiting the island. Her father’s call, “Let’s go to see Kato.”  He loves the sausages here.  Her mother wanted some seafood.   2 cheeses of our choice.   Our usual.  Chicken liver mousse and pork pate. Liver is fresh, no bloody smell, seasoned with nice flavorful liquor.  Pork pate has been matured, very tasty.   This is our usual too.  The best French Fries in our standards!!!   Roasted onion Pie.  Soooo sweet and tasty.   Soup de Poisson.  Beautiful broth with shrimps, fish, veggies   Yummm…  so rich, so good.   3 housemade sausages.  Original (meaty), herb, spicy.  I love the herb one the best.   Grilled […]

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Bakery that opens once a week

Believe it or not, there’s a bakery which opens only on Saturdays in Ginoza. Open once a week! Yea, that’s it.   Gallivant Bakery.  Right on R329 in Ginoza.   Opens at 11:00 now.  (It used to open 9:00 before) There’s always a waiting line at the open time.  Some fans travel on the expressway to come every week.   We got here at 12:00.  Breads are almost gone.   They make various housemade jams and they are for sale.   Besides the breads and cookies for sale on the table, there are sandwiches they will make upon your order.   2 kinds of sandwiches.  Veggie and sweets.   For sweets, […]

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Sara is coming back!

We had our parents visiting the island, and we chose Sara for dinner.  We heard they just came back from their Croatia trip.   This is a very private dining where they accept reservations for 8 people max. On the 2nd floor of Island Club diving shop on Route 6.   The Chef Nasu. It’s been a while since the last time we saw him. We just love his cooking.  He’s got the skill, and he’s got the heart.   We are happy to learn that they are building their restaurant nearby as planned.  It will be open next Spring!  Can’t wait!   They had such a tough time since […]

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Food is medicine

  Food is medicine. That is a notion in Chinese Traditional Medicine.  This dietary notion has been spread out on the island.  Okinawa used to have very limited food resources.  There are typhoons.  There’s no constant river.  But they had variety of medical herbs and wild grass that the strong sun grows, taro, sweet potatoes and potatoes that the tuff loam grows, and a few domesticated animals like pigs and goats.  Okinawa used to be a trading country.  They learned from the neighboring countries like Japan, China, and south Asian countries and developed their unique diet which takes full advantage of every pieces of their limited food resources. And that was […]

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Okinawa Soba in a new dimension

Hidden in the quite residential area of Nishihara is a little Okinawa Soba of strong personality.   This place is really hard to find.  Don’t ask people.  You will never get the direction right.  Ask Google.   It’s a one-man operation by the owner.  There are about 10 seats only.   So-Ki, pork spare ribs, is at its best.  Should have been cooked in the broth for hours before grilled.   So-Ki is Teri-seasoned, but not too sweet, not too salty.  The broth is the key.  Great flavor with little seasoning. Comes with Wasabi, which is a very nice refreshment.  I personally believe that every grilled meat should be accompanied by […]

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Steak in the perfect state of “rose”

We found ourselves sitting at Kato Shokudou again.   A clean, organized stock room.  A proof of good restaurant.   Today we are here to eat the steak.  With green pepper sauce. You have a choice between red wine sauce and green pepper sauce.  We always have it with green pepper sauce. Angus rib-eye steak, grilled in perfect temperature control.   Beautiful state of “rose”. Tender, juicy, and sooooo tasty.   Mild French mustard goes very well with the steak too.   She’s got that face that speaks.   The housemade caramel ice cream and mongo sorbet. You should really take both.   They are good each.  But try them […]

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Dedicated Italian with Okinawan goodies

Tedako-Tei is a little Italian restaurant off the main street of Kokusai Dori in Naha. Better make reservation.  Better not to when you don’t have time.  It’s a one-woman operation by the owner chef and sometimes it takes time to cook and serve every tables.   There are 5 tables only.   It’s a small space, filled with things of her taste.   Yes, it’s a wine night for Yuyu.  I had housemade ginger ale. It’s been about 5 years since the last time we came here.   Here she comes to take our order.  Midori-san, the owner chef.  Such a dedicated lovely person.  Her passion for good foods has captured […]

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Sakae, Creative Okinawa Cuisine

Sakae Ryori-Ten is located near Ishikawa Exit of express way in Uruma-shi.   This is a nice place for celebrations.  Not really a formal place.  But very good food with a wide selection of local liquor. They have the solid foundation of Japanese traditional cooking techniques and the creative mind to play with local and seasonal foods of Okinawa.   A good selection of aged Awamori, local Okinawa liquor, sitting and aging in these big jars. Awamori is a distilled liquor, made by indica rice fermented with unique black koji mold.  Japanese Sake is a brewed liquor, made by japonica rice fermented with koji mold.   Complimentary appetizer (included in table charge) – […]

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American Burger

Taiyo Steak House is an American restaurant in the golf course operated by American military. The restaurant is open to the public, but it is really like being in America.  Once you enter the building, it feels America, it looks America, and it smells America.  Really.   They got a really BIG menu. This was a lunch.  I’m sure they have much bigger menu for dinner… My son was visiting.  He has strong passion for American culture like I used to have 30 years ago.  So we are here for American burgers!     The place is spacious, bright, and fancy. Free soft drinks if you order any of the […]

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The best authentic Tsuke-Men in Okinawa

San Chiku Ju is a Tsuke-Men specialty restaurant.  The owner chef has worked in one of the most famous and popular Tsuke-Men in the country, Roku Rin Sha.  It’s the authentic Tsuke-Men as Master Yamagishi created it.   Located near Omoro Machi. They have opened the second restaurant in Ginowan.  I’ve been to that one several times too, but I think this head restaurant is better somehow.  They taste the same, but something’s different.  I recommend to first come to this one.   The menu is simple.  Tsuke-Men, the dipping noodle, or Maze-Men, no soup but seasoned noodle.  Go for Tsuke-Men first. They don’t seem to have English menu. You just need […]

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Hearty Greek Cuisine on Ikei

We’ve heard of this place just opened this summer. Finally got a chance to visit Little Greek Kitchen on Ikei Island.  About 40-minute drive from Okinawa North exit of the expressway.  All the way through the pretty little village of Ikei to the very end on the water.   Far out in the Pacific, the island is surrounded by beautiful reefs. This is a beach just in front of the restaurant.   The restaurant is built in 2 shipping containers.   A very pretty cozy place.  Feels like we are visiting a good friend.   It was very nice to finally meet Pamela.  The owner chef. She’s from California.  Spent so many years […]

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Rich and light. Complex and simple.

We found ourselves here again before we notice. Ramen Hachi Ren.   Our anticipation is building up.   Apparently someone from Taiwan wrote a note on the wall. I don’t know what it reads, but it seems like he or she likes the food here.   Yes.  This is Hasso Men. The name means 8-layer ramen, with a soft-boiled egg topping.  They won’t tell what are those 8 ingredients, but the taste is complex, and yet, very simple because the soup is so well-balanced.  Very rich, very light.  I know there’s a hint of Yuzu, a kind of Japanese citrus.  I don’t know the rest, but it’s so good. I think this […]

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