Okinawa has a unique style of cuisine that is a fusion of Japanese, Chinese and American influences with a unique island flavor. With such an array of delicious food on offer it can be difficult to know where to start but for a truly authentic taste of Okinawa it's best to head straight to the source: Naha Public Market.
Makishi Kosetsu-ichiba, located just off Kokusai Street in the heart of Naha, is a food lover's paradise! The ground floor of the building is packed with all kinds of local delicacies from ah-sah seaweed to brown sugar donuts to fresh fish and seafood.
As you stroll through the stalls you will surely be tempted to try something and if you do decide to sample the produce on offer you'll be in for a treat. After making your purchase, head upstairs to the restaurant area and have one of the skilled local chefs cook up a delicious meal for you. This is certainly not a culinary experience to be missed.
For a taste of Okinawa's strong American presence head to C&C Breakfast Okinawa. This new joint, located just a stones throw away from Naha Public Market, offers the finest, most authentic Hawaiian Pancakes on the island. It's hard to believe how fluffy the pancakes are, and the toppings are exceptionally delicious!
The menu at C&C also includes many western breakfast items such as French Toast, Eggs Benedict, Omelet, and Acai Bowl (which is basically tropical style granola) and two delightful salad options. C&C Breakfast is rapidly gaining popularity so there is a chance that it could be full when you arrive. The pancakes in particular are worth the wait, but if you are ravenous simply take a stroll around the area as there are plenty of cafes and restaurants close by.
In fact, the best Taiwanese - Okinawan fusion restaurant can be found just on the opposite side of Naha Public Market. The owner of Kintsubo Shokudo (金壺食堂) was born in Taiwan and moved to Okinawa when he was 5 years old and his food reflects his cultural history - as well as serving traditional Okinawan dishes such as ninjin shiri shiri (fried grated carrots) and goya champuru (stir fry bitter melon) he offers up popular Taiwanese delights such as chimaki and mapo tofu.
Another standout point of this restaurant is that it is 100% vegetarian. None of the dishes contain any animal products at all, so you can feel free to try each an every dish on the "all you can eat for 600 yen" menu!
Information
C&C Breakfast
Address: 2 Chome-9-6 Matsuo, Naha, Okinawa Prefecture 900-0014
Website: http://www.ccbokinawa.com/
Map :
Kintsubo Shokudo
Address: 1 Chome-7-9 Tsuboya, Naha, Okinawa Prefecture 902-0065
Google Map :
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