Introduction
About Okinawa's Local Cuisine
Hugged by coral reefs and an especially warm climate, Okinawa Prefecture sits at the southwestern tip of Japan with a strikingly distinct culture and natural landscapes to boot. In terms of the food scene, the people of Okinawa have long cherished pork, so much so that the wide range of dishes here have led the locals to say they’d “eat everything except the piggy’s squeak”. A teeming crop of tropical fruits and veggies are also big players in this foodie heaven, home to all the delicious local flavors you won’t find in Japan’s mainland.
Of all the tasty bites you’ll find in Okinawa, here are three top picks to try: "Champuru", "Okinawa Soba" and "Taco Rice."
Recommend #1
"Champuru" stems from the Okinawan term meaning "to mix," referring broadly to dishes where seasonal vegetables, pork, tofu and more are all stir-fried together. No matter what you mix and match, champuru made using Okinawa's iconic summer vegetable "goya" (bitter melon) stands out as a classic. The seasoning is pure and simple, using nothing but bonito flakes, soy sauce, and a pinch of salt, so that the natural flavors of the ingredients can shine. Dive in for a bite that tastes like the essence of Okinawa's local cuisine
Recommend #2
Okinawa Soba topped with "soki" is also commonly known as "Soki Soba."
One way you’ll know you’re in Okinawa is that the noodles used in Okinawa Soba are made solely from wheat flour. The broth features a tasty medley made from pork bones, bonito flakes, and a seasoned blend of salt and soy sauce that sings with the rich umami of pork bones. Most commonly you’ll find your bowl topped with fish cake, green onions, and pickled red ginger, but when topped with stewed pork rib meat, it's popularly referred to as "Soki Soba".
Recommend #3
The taste of veggie-rich Taco Rice, just perfect for hot Okinawa days.
Taco Rice typically comes with seasoned ground meat, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and other tasty toppings all layered over rice. Given its name and general taco-topped appearance one might mistake their bowl for a Mexican dish. Contrary to what it may seem, this all-original delight hails locally from Okinawa, loaded with all the delicious crunch of crisp vegetables that goes perfectly with the Okinawa heat.
Information provided by: GOOD LUCK TRIP