Okinawa food covers just about everything, and eating your way around the island is a genuine adventure for your taste buds! This scenic island isn’t just about gorgeous beaches — it’s also packed with mouthwatering food. Whether you love seafood, grilled meat, desserts or international cuisine, Okinawa has something for you! Below are 22 handpicked spots, sorted into Okinawa soba, Okinawa yakiniku, Okinawa wagyu, Okinawa Agu pork, Okinawa desserts and hidden-gem Okinawa eats, so you can work through every must-try dish without missing a thing!
Okinawa must-eats part 1: Okinawa yakiniku recommendations
In Okinawa you absolutely can’t miss wagyu, yakiniku, locally raised Ishigaki beef and Agu pork! Okinawan meat has a great reputation — flavorful, tender and reasonably priced. Sometimes you can enjoy Japanese wagyu-grade yakiniku for under NT$1,000 per person, which is seriously good value and very easy on the wallet!
Jojoen 沖縄おもろまち店 (Okinawa Omoromachi branch)
Image source: Jojoen 沖縄おもろまち店 (Okinawa Omoromachi branch) website
⏰Hours: Monday to Friday: 11:00–23:00; weekends and holidays: 11:00–22:00; lunch service: 11:00–16:00
☎️Phone: +81-98-860-0089
📍Address: Rukafu Omoromachi 3F, 4-19-1 Omoromachi, Naha City, Okinawa
🗺️MAPCODE: 33 188 419 * 42
👍Why you should eat here: a hugely popular Japanese yakiniku chain — big bites of meat, big satisfaction! The marbling is beautiful and the meat is incredibly tender, so don’t grill it too long. The beef is excellent and the pork won’t disappoint either. It’s a famous Japanese restaurant people keep coming back to.
💡Click Jojoen 沖縄おもろまち (Okinawa Omoromachi) to see more on the official website
焼肉 もとぶ牧場 (Yakiniku Motobu Farm)
Image source: @cuteruby_
⏰Hours: 11:30–14:30 / 17:00–21:30
☎️Phone: +81980516777
📍Address: 881-1 Ohama, Motobu, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-0212, Japan
🗺️MAPCODE: 206 856 433*77
👍Why you should eat here: how can you visit Japan and not eat beef 🥩? Okinawa has plenty of distinctive local beef, including Ishigaki beef, Yamashiro beef and Motobu beef. Those thin, forgettable slices you sometimes get at yakiniku places in Taiwan? You won’t find them in Japan, and definitely not at Motobu Farm!
Note | Motobu Farm has 4 branches in Okinawa
Yakiniku 琉球の牛 (Ryukyu no Ushi)
Image source: @eatdieus
⏰Hours: 17:00–22:30
☎️Phone: +81989893405
📍Address: Makai Resort Chatan 2F, 51-1 Mihama, Chatan, Nakagami District, Okinawa 904-0115, Japan
🗺️MAPCODE: 33 525 890*50
👍Why you should eat here: a yakiniku restaurant that’s hugely popular online, with consistently high ratings and no nasty surprises. You can only eat it in Okinawa, and you won’t get a table without a reservation! There’s a parking lot on site, so it’s easy to reach by car.
炭火焼肉 やまもと (Charcoal-grilled Yakiniku Yamamoto)
⏰Hours: 17:00 until sold out; closed Tuesdays
☎️Phone: +81-980-83-5641
📍Address: 2-5-18 Hamasaki-cho, Ishigaki City, Okinawa
🗺️MAPCODE: 366 003 424*73
👍Why you should eat here: a super-popular spot that’s worth it even at the price! The meat is unbelievably tender, and the sauce is light enough that it never masks the flavor of the Ishigaki beef — well worth a try. Also be sure to order the local Ishigaki shrimp, which is wonderfully sweet!
Okinawa must-eats part 2: hidden-gem favorites
When it comes to Okinawa food, beyond yakiniku, Okinawa soba and all kinds of desserts, there are plenty more hugely popular dishes waiting to be discovered!
ピザ喫茶 花人逢 (Pizza Cafe Kajinhou)
Image source: @jimmy1102_yeh
⏰Hours: 11:30–19:00 / closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays
☎️Phone: +81980475537
📍Address: 1153-2 Yamazato, Motobu, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-0219, Japan
🗺️MAPCODE: 206 888 669*74
👍Why you should eat here: when a restaurant is set in an old house, 9 out of 10 are great — and the 10th is the one you can never book. At this old-house restaurant with a view you get to tuck into handmade 🍕 while gazing at an unbeatable ocean panorama. Perfect combination!
10円パン
Image source: @houseplantsung
⏰Hours: 10:00–21:00
📍Address: Don Quijote Naha Kokusai-dori 1F, 2-8-19 Matsuo, Naha, Okinawa 900-0014, Japan
🗺️MAPCODE: 33 157 413*86
👍Why you should eat here: the 10-yen bread that started in Korea and is currently a hit in Japan can be found in Okinawa too ✨
A crisp outer shell wrapped around a generous cheese filling 🧀 — bite into it and you get a gloriously sinful cheese pull. That’s the appeal! The only thing is, this “10-yen bread” doesn’t cost ¥10 — it’s ¥500.
Taco Rice Cafe Kijimuna — Okinawa taco rice
Image source: @77eat_food
⏰Hours: 11:00–21:00
☎️Phone: +81988513023
📍Address: 174-6 Senaga, Tomigusuku, Okinawa 901-0233, Japan
🗺️MAPCODE: 33 002 632*78
👍Why you should eat here: taco rice originated in Okinawa. Rich, savory meat sauce is spooned over white rice and paired with the restaurant’s omelet, so every bite bursts with flavor. The layers of texture make it a great starter!
ポーたま (Pork Tamago Onigiri)
Image source: @eatdieus
⏰Hours: 07:00–19:00
☎️Phone: +81988679550
📍Address: 2-8-35 Matsuo, Naha, Okinawa 900-0014, Japan
🗺️MAPCODE: 33 157 323*78
👍Why you should eat here: the famous pork and egg rice ball is one of Okinawa’s must-try breakfasts and snacks. Each one is made to order, and with lots of flavors to choose from, a non-greasy filling and filling rice, it’s sure to hit the spot!
Note | There are 3 branches in Okinawa, so double-check your navigation and the opening hours
Tomari Iyumachi Fish Market
Image source: @travelling_rabbit_
⏰Hours: 06:00–18:00
📍Address: 1-1-18 Minatomachi, Naha, Okinawa 900-0001, Japan
🗺️MAPCODE: 33 216 115*47
👍Why you should eat here: wherever you are, the freshest and best-value seafood is always at the fish market. Almost every stall slices sashimi from the day’s catch right in front of you, and there are rice-bowl and grilled-seafood restaurants inside too! The hidden food gems are right there in the market.
Okinawa must-eats part 3: Okinawa noodles to order
Why is Okinawa soba a must-try? After World War II, Okinawa came under American administration, which brought wheat flour into the local diet. Many people opened Okinawa soba shops to make a living, and the dish became a popular favorite — and because each shop has its own secret recipe, you’ll find many different flavors.
Unlike Japanese ramen, Okinawa soba isn’t about the aroma of the broth; what matters is the chewiness of the noodles and the toppings. After years of evolution, most Okinawa soba today comes in a light soy-sauce broth with fish cake, chopped scallions and pickled red ginger, making it a classic dish you have to try in Okinawa.
ラーメン 暖暮 (Ramen Danbo)
Image source: @77eat_food
⏰Hours: 10:00–00:00
☎️Phone: +81980435503
📍Address: 5-10-36, Nago, Okinawa 905-0021, Japan
🗺️MAPCODE: 206 598 342*25
👍Why you should eat here: Danbo Ramen, the shop that beat Ichiran to win the Kyushu ramen championship, is a must-visit when you’re in Okinawa!
You can skip the seafood and the yakiniku, but don’t pass up authentic Japanese ramen!
Note | Danbo has 5 branches in Okinawa, so you don’t have to worry about missing out because of the lines
Akashi Shokudo (Ishigaki)
⏰Hours: 11:00–15:00 / Closed Monday–Wednesday
☎️Phone: +81980892447
📍Address: 360 Ibaruma, Ishigaki, Okinawa 907-0332, Japan
🗺️MAPCODE: 366 741 216*68
👍Why you should try it: Melt-in-your-mouth pork rib noodles, a must-eat on Ishigaki! It sits in a really out-of-the-way spot, yet there’s still a long line out front! It’s a dish travelers rave about online — the pork cartilage is as tender as tofu, melting in your mouth, and paired with the rich broth it earns its place as a hidden gem you have to try on Ishigaki Island.
てんtoてん
Image source: てんtoてん (Ten to Ten) website
⏰Hours: 11:30–14:00 / Closed Saturday–Monday
☎️Phone: 098-853-1060
📍Address: 4 Chome-5-2 Shikina, Naha, Okinawa 902-0078, Japan
🗺️MAPCODE: 33 130 072*47
👍Why you should try it: A long-established soba shop with springy noodles and tender slices of pork. The light yet rich broth and the chewy noodles come together perfectly, and the broth carries a bonito flavor with a distinctive taste that will surprise you from the very first sip.
💡Click てんtoてん (Ten to Ten) for more on the official website
Kishimoto Shokudo
Image source: @jouisafoodie
⏰Hours: 11:00–17:00 / Closed Wednesday
☎️Phone: +81 98-047-2887
📍Address: 5 Toguchi, Motobu, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-0214, Japan
🗺️MAPCODE: 206 857 681*43
👍Why you should try it: A long-established Okinawa soba shop worth the wait in line! Juicy and tender! The storefront looks wonderfully retro, and the inside is clean and tidy. The broth is savory, and the chili sauce on the side adds a contrasting flavor that still blends perfectly. The thick noodles have a great chew, and the pork comes with both fatty and lean parts — the fat isn’t greasy at all and has a nice bounce, with no gamey smell to worry about! The fun part is that the meat tastes better the more you chew XDD It looks simple and ordinary, but there are plenty of highlights hidden inside.
Tsuudou Ramen
Image source: Tsuudou Ramen website
⏰Hours: 11:00–23:30
☎️Phone: +81988575577
📍Address: 5 Chome-4-6 Kanagusuku, Naha, Okinawa 901-0155, Japan
🗺️MAPCODE: 33 095 245*67
👍Why you should try it: A famous ramen shop that countless foodies and tourists name as a must-eat! The most authentic flavor there is! The broths are quite distinctive, with just the right balance of richness and spice — never too salty, which makes it a favorite among women. The side dishes, spicy bean sprouts and pickled radish, are well seasoned and whet your appetite. This shop won’t disappoint you (locals compete for seats too XD
💡Click Tsuudou Ramen for more on the official website
Shuri Soba
Image source: @foodsearchers
⏰Hours: 11:30–14:00 / Closed Thursday and Sunday
☎️Phone: +81 98-884-0556
📍Address: 1 Chome-7 Shuriakatacho, Naha, Okinawa 903-0813, Japan
🗺️MAPCODE: 33 161 568*45
👍Why you should try it: Taste the soul of authentic Okinawa soba — number one in Shuri! Home-style flavors, simple but clearly made with care. The broth has a strong ginger note, and the toppings are varied: asparagus, daikon, shiitake mushrooms, fried tofu and pork belly are all simmered until full of flavor and blend together perfectly while each keeps its own character. It tastes a bit like a lighter Taiwanese-style noodle dish XD
👇👇Click here for more details on car rental and self-drive trips in Okinawa👇👇
[Must-read Okinawa self-drive guide] Documents, traffic rules and insurance tips all in one place!
Okinawa must-eat foods part 4: Okinawa wagyu and Agu pork
STEAK HIKARU wagyu steak
⏰Hours: Monday–Tuesday 11:00–14:30 / 18:00–02:30; Wednesday–Thursday 11:00–14:00 / 18:00–02:30; Friday–Saturday 11:00–14:00 / 18:00–03:30
☎️Phone: +81988609059
📍Address: 2 Chome-8-7 Matsuyama, Naha, Okinawa 900-0032, Japan
🗺️MAPCODE: 33 156 716*43
👍Why you should try it: Amazing value! Craving wagyu without worrying about your wallet! The steak is tender and springy, and the juices run out the moment you cut into it — just looking at it makes your mouth water. Getting meat this good for so little really is not to be missed! The sauces are fun too: you can mix your own flavor combinations, light and never too salty.
野菜巻串屋 ぐるり (Yasai Makikushiya Gururi)
Image source: @kuanhsuan1231
⏰Hours: 18:00–01:00
☎️Phone: +81989432219
📍Address: 1 Chome-13-9 Makishi, Naha, Okinawa 900-0013, Japan
🗺️MAPCODE: 33 157 544*36
👍Why we recommend it: A skewer shop where you can tuck into big bites of meat and vegetables. Every pork skewer is unseasoned, letting the natural flavor pair with the vegetables wrapped around it, which cuts the greasiness — and the guilt! It’s open until late at night, so if you don’t want an early bedtime in Okinawa, you can eat from morning to night and finish with a late-night feast here.
Jumbo Steak HAN’S Kokusai-dori main store
Image source: Jumbo Steak HAN’S website
⏰Hours: 11:00–22:00
☎️Phone: +81 98-863-8890
📍Address: 3 Chome-27-10 Kumoji, Naha, Okinawa 900-0015, Japan
🗺️MAPCODE: 33 157 427*17
👍Why you should try it: Affordable steak you’ll wish you’d found sooner! The meat is firm and the house sauce has a lovely garlic aroma — you can tell the chef is serious about quality and ingredients. A shop that really puts in the effort.
百年古家 大家うふやー (Hyakunen Koka Ufuya)
Image source: 百年古家 大家うふやー (Hyakunen Koka Ufuya) website
⏰Hours: 11:00–15:30 / 18:00–20:00
☎️Phone: +81 98-053-0280
📍Address: 90 Nakayama, Nago, Okinawa 905-0004, Japan
🗺️MAPCODE: 206 745 056*68
👍Why you should try it: Agu pork that’s rich without being greasy, with no porky smell at all! The pork has a special aroma, said to be characteristic of Agu pork! The ingredients taste natural and clearly very fresh, and after your meal you can wander outside and take photos — the surroundings are simply beautiful.
💡Click 百年古家 大家うふやー (Hyakunen Koka Ufuya) for more on the official website
Okinawa must-eat foods part 5: a must-read for dessert lovers
“There’s always room for dessert…” After eating your way across Okinawa, you definitely need some cake and ice cream! Below are four Okinawa dessert shops we’ve rounded up that are worth both eating at and photographing — the pictures alone will be hard to resist!
ohacorte fruit tarts
Image source: ohacorte fruit tart website
⏰Hours: 11:30–19:00, closed Tuesday
☎️Phone: +81 98-875-2129
📍Address: 2 Chome-17-1 Minatogawa, Urasoe, Okinawa 901-2134, Japan
🗺️MAPCODE: 33 341 002*08
👍Why you should try it: Instagram-worthy fruit tarts you have to taste and photograph! Best of all, they’re sweet without being cloying, with a delicate, dense and wonderfully layered crust. The fresh purple sweet potato tart is a local hidden gem! The lemon tart is refreshing too — the perfect spot to spend a relaxing afternoon.
💡Click ohacorte fruit tarts for more on the official website
Ice cream shop – Blue Seal main store
Image source: @littlecandyeateat
Image source: @houseplantsung
⏰Hours: 10:00–22:30
☎️Phone: +81988671450
📍Address: 1 Chome-2-32 Makishi, Naha, Okinawa 900-0013, Japan
🗺️MAPCODE: 33 157 343*56
👍Why you should try it: If Baskin-Robbins 31 is the ice cream to get in the rest of Japan, then in Okinawa it’s Blue Seal!!
Born in America and grown in Okinawa, this ice cream brand has completely taken over the island as its must-eat ice cream🍦
With more than 30 flavors, including inventive ones made with local ingredients, don’t miss it‼️
💡Click Ice cream shop – Blue Seal for more on the official website
Happy Pancake
Image source: @77eat_food
Image source: Happy Pancake website
⏰Hours: 11:00～21:00
☎️Phone: +81 98-851-0009
📍Address: Umikaji Terrace 32, 174-6 Senaga, Tomigusuku, Okinawa 901-0233, Japan
🗺️MAPCODE: 33 002 602*06
👍Why you should try it: You can enjoy blissful pancakes in Okinawa too!
Located on Senagajima, it is dine-in only so you can savor that happy flavor with an ocean view ❤️
Only 4 reservation seats are accepted per time slot, so if you want to be sure of a table without lining up, you’d better start helping grandmas across the street 👵🏻
💡Click Happy Pancake for more on the official website
Finally, we also want to introduce a super handy site: Japan’s largest restaurant review website, 「食べログ」(Tabelog). Many Japanese diners leave reviews there after their meals, and you can search by area or type of dining, plus there are rankings by page views, number of reviews and number of photos. Because its rating system uses 1 to 5 stars along with photos and comments, it is fairly trustworthy.
Read more Okinawa travel articles:
☞[Okinawa car rental must-read] Rental recommendations, price comparisons and self-drive tips all in one guide!
☞[Okinawa self-drive guide] Documents to prepare, traffic rules and insurance essentials in one place!
☞Okinawa hotel recommendations (10 top-rated picks for 2023 you can book with confidence!)
Further reading:
☞This is how to find the local food Japanese people love! Tabelog, the must-have tool for traveling in Japan
☞[3 ways to book a restaurant in Japan] Tabelog online reservations, the Tripla app and the Visa Platinum concierge
This article was translated by AI from the original Chinese version.
