Experience making Okinawan soba noodles at "Taira Noodle Factory Kokusai-dori Store"!

When traveling to Okinawa, Okinawa soba is a must-try dish. But why not not only eat it, but also try making it yourself?
At "Taira Seimenjo Kokusai-dori Store," located along Kokusai-dori in Naha City, you can easily enjoy an authentic Okinawan soba noodle making experience. This time, we'll give you a detailed account of the process, the fun of it, and any points you might be wondering about, based on our actual experience.

<Table of Contents>
1.Located right next to Makishi Station! Enjoy a casual Okinawan soba noodle making experience along Kokusai Street.
2.Let's start making soba noodles! Here's a detailed explanation of the process.
3.Enjoy eating the noodles you make right there! The fact that you can take them home to enjoy is also a great feature.

1. Right next to Makishi Station! Enjoy a casual Okinawa soba making experience along Kokusai Street.

Taira Seimenjo Kokusai-dori Store is located about a 2-minute walk from Makishi Station on the Yui Rail. It boasts an excellent location along Kokusai-dori, the heart of the tourist area. The store is located on the basement floor.
Taira Seimenjo has multiple stores both inside and outside the prefecture, but the only place where you can experience making Okinawan soba is this Kokusai-dori store. Reservations can be made online or by phone, and same-day participation is possible if there are openings.

The experience is open to individuals and groups alike. It can be enjoyed by families, couples, friends, and people of all ages. The experience (food and drinks not included) is compact, lasting about an hour, making it easy to fit into a sightseeing schedule.

The shop has an attached experience space and dining area. When participating in an experience, please provide the name you used when making your reservation to complete the check-in process and pay in advance. The experience fee is 1,980 yen per person.

The noodles you make during the experience are enough for two people. You can take one serving home as a souvenir, and you can choose to eat the other serving in the restaurant or take it home. This time, we decided to eat it in the restaurant.
If you eat in the restaurant, you can add toppings for an extra charge. I added pork ribs (+250 yen).

All necessary tools, such as aprons, are provided, so you can participate empty-handed. The staff will teach you carefully, so even those who don't usually cook or young children can enjoy it with peace of mind.

2. Let's start making soba noodles! A detailed explanation of the process.

After washing your hands and putting on an apron, the experience can finally begin. The experience is divided into two main steps.

[Step 1]
Using pre-prepared dough, stretch it out, cut it, and create a crinkled texture.
[Step 2]
The dough is made from scratch using flour and lye water. After kneading it into a ball, it is finished by stomping on it with your feet to the rhythm of music.

Step 1 begins immediately. Using a cotton swab, apply pressure and stretch the skin lengthwise into a thin, elongated shape. However, at this point, it's still not stretched enough.

Next, you roll out the dough further by wrapping it around a cotton swab. Although it's a simple process, it's surprisingly difficult to make it evenly thin, and requires the right amount of pressure and technique.

Once it's stretched beyond the length of a cotton swab, the machine is used to further thin and even it out. Repeating this process twice resulted in a very thin finish!

After stretching the dough thoroughly, it's time to cut the noodles. The dough is passed through the machine and the handle is turned, and long, thin noodles come out one after another, like a shredder. It's a moment that's sure to bring a smile to your face.

Once the dough has transformed into noodles, the final step is to create a slight curl to help the noodles absorb the soup better. By cupping the noodles in your palm like you're making a rice ball and squeezing them tightly, they curl beautifully. It's a simple process, but the visible changes make it enjoyable. If you choose to dine in, they'll prepare your Okinawa soba with freshly made noodles while you wait for step 2 to finish.

Now, onto step two. Using flour and lye water, we work together to knead the dough. If two people participate, one person kneads while the other adds the lye water in several batches. The constant mixing is quite physically demanding, but the Okinawan folk music playing in the shop creates a fun atmosphere.

Once the dough comes together, it's time for the stepping process. Stepping on the dough rhythmically to the music is a moment that naturally brings a smile to your face. Conversation flows easily with the other participants, making for a memorable and enjoyable experience.

3. Enjoy eating the noodles you made right there! The fact that you can take them home to enjoy is also a great feature.

Just as we finished all the activities and took a breather, the Okinawan soba made with the noodles we made in Step 1 arrived! The noodles had a chewy texture and a smooth mouthfeel. The nicely curled noodles mixed well with the soup, and it was very delicious.
Combined with the satisfaction of having made it myself, it makes this cup of coffee even more special.

The dough you make in Step 2 can be taken home as a souvenir. A rolling pin and concentrated soup are also included, so you can experience the same process as Step 1 again at home and easily enjoy Okinawan soba. It's a great way to relive the fun of making soba at home and enjoy it twice over.
Enjoy making Okinawan soba noodles at Taira Seimenjo Kokusai-dori branch, whether you eat it on the spot or take it home to enjoy later. Why not incorporate this unique, hands-on experience into your Okinawa trip—something you can't get just by sightseeing?