When I think of Okinawa, the place I want to go is Naha's Kokusai Street!
In such a popular area with so many shops, it can be hard to know which one to go to, right?

So, for those who are unsure what to eat on Kokusai Street, especially those visiting Okinawa for the first time and wanting to fully enjoy their trip, we've selected some recommended restaurants on Kokusai Street!
Whether you read this article beforehand to prepare, or if you're heading to Kokusai Street now, please use this article as a reference and enjoy the gourmet food of Kokusai Street!

<Table of Contents>
■ Kokusai Street Gourmet Map

■ Lunch during sightseeing
① First, our recommended Okinawa soba: [Kingetsu Soba, Mutsumi Shokudo branch on Kokusai Street]
②. A hidden gem of a taco shop: [Taco Shop Kokusai-dori Branch]
③. Heartwarming Miyako Soba [Doraemon]
④ Mapo Tofu that Okinawans approve of [Sichuan Restaurant]
⑤. A popular lunch buffet among local women with great value for money: [Locoana Naha Aletta]
⑥. You can cook and eat the fish you buy! [Makishi Public Market]
■Perfect for a stroll around town! Quick and easy fast food options
⑦. Blue Seal is also a great dessert after your meal.
⑧. Super cute! Okinawan-style ice cream [Eddy's ice cream]
⑨. Mango Mango Mango [MANGO CAFE Washita Shop]
⑩. When it comes to hamburger shops in Okinawa, it's A&W.
⑪. They have both tacos and taco rice! [Charlie Tacos Kokusai-dori Store]
⑫. Enjoy the Yukishio Soft Serve Ice Cream [Yukishio Kabo Kokusai-dori Store]
⑬ I just want to eat one Sata Andagi (Okinawan doughnut) [Matsubara-ya Confectionery]
■ Don't miss out! Dinner Edition
⑭. For steak, try Sam's Sailor Inn Kokusai-dori branch.
⑮. A steak restaurant that rivals Sam's in popularity: Captain's Inn Kokusai-dori Branch
16. Enjoy a fun evening listening to Okinawan folk songs [Tubaraama - Island Songs and Local Cuisine]
⑰. Enjoy an incredibly powerful live performance! [Okinawa Music Restaurant Laila]
18. Okinawan soba that you absolutely must try: [Udonyama Kokusai-dori branch]
19. A favorite of celebrities!? If you want to eat authentic yakiniku, go to [Aoi].
20. For a quick and easy steak meal, try [Yappari Steak 3rd Kokusai-dori Gajumaru Store]

■ Kokusai Street Gourmet Map

Kokusai-dori is the common name for a street in Naha City that stretches approximately 1.6 km from the intersection at the north exit of the prefectural office (in front of Palette Kumoji) to the Asato intersection.
Most people will probably sightsee on foot, but since there are uphill and downhill sections along the 1.6km route, it's best to have a general idea of ​​the locations of the shops you want to visit.

■ Lunch during sightseeing

① First, we recommend Okinawa soba: [Kingetsu Soba, Mutsumi Shokudo branch on Kokusai Street]

Tucked away behind the Starbucks on Kokusai Street is Kinchichi Soba, which serves delicious, smooth, homemade noodles!
The noodles are smooth and chewy, allowing you to fully appreciate the flavor of the broth, which is made with a classic combination of bonito flakes, dried sardines, and pork.
The yushi tofu soba I had cost ¥730.

The reason for the long name is that the restaurant is operating in the same location as Mutsumi Shokudo, a restaurant that was once loved by both locals and tourists.
In addition to Okinawa soba, they offer Okinawan-style dishes such as miso soup set meals and nakami-jiru set meals, as well as many original dishes from Kingetsu Soba, such as mapo yushi tofu soba and tsukemen (dipping noodles).

[Kingetsu Soba, Mutsumi Shokudo Branch on Kokusai Street]
Address: 2-1-16 Makishi, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture
TEL：098-867-0862
Parking lot: None
Opening hours: 11: 00 to 17: 00
Closed: Monday
Estimated cost: Less than 1,000 yen on average

② A hidden gem of a taco shop: [Taco Shop Kokusai-dori Branch]

This taco shop is a local favorite, deeply rooted in the community. There's no parking, and the shop is small, so it's best suited for a quick stop while shopping.
The most popular item on the menu is the Tacos Plate for 650 yen.
This great value set includes tacos, taco rice, onion rings, and French fries!
Takeout is also available, so it's highly recommended for those who want to eat on the go!

 

[Tacos Shop Kokusai-dori Branch]
Address: 1-1-42 Makishi, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture
TEL：098-862-6080
Parking lot: None
Opening hours: 11: 00 to 20: 30
Regular holidays: none
Estimated cost: around 1,000 yen on average

③ Heartwarming Miyako Soba [Doraemon]

'Doraemon' is a restaurant where you can enjoy authentic Miyako soba noodles.
The bonito-based soup is a perfect match for those who want to enjoy it after drinking at night!
Besides soba noodles, another popular dish is goya champuru (bitter melon stir-fry). It pairs perfectly with Orion beer!
However, there is a sign that says "Stir-fried dishes are only available until 9 PM," so please be careful when ordering.

 

[Doraemon]
Address: 3-2-17 Kumoji, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture
TEL：098-862-3525
Parking lot: None
Hours: 11: 00 ~ 23: 00
Closed on: None (except during New Year's Day)
Estimated cost: 500-700 yen

④ Mapo Tofu that Okinawans approve of [Sichuan Restaurant]

You might be thinking, "Chinese food in Okinawa!?" But this restaurant, "Sichuan Restaurant," was supervised by the legendary chef, Chen Kenichi.
Among them, the dish that has impressed the palates of Okinawans the most is the mapo tofu, a recipe passed down directly from the Iron Chef.
Okinawan ingredients are reborn by the Iron Chefs.

 

[Sichuan Hotel]
Address: Royal Orion 2F, 1-2-21 Asato, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture
TEL：098-868-0272
Parking: Available (Free for customers dining in.)
Opening hours: Lunch 11:30-14:00 / Dinner 17:30-21:00
Closed: Tuesday
Estimated cost: 1,000-1,999 yen (lunch) / 2,000-2,999 yen (dinner)

⑤ A lunch buffet popular with local women for its great value: [Locoanaha Aletta]

Hotel Rocore Naha is a regular top-ranking hotel on TripAdvisor's popular "Best Breakfast Hotels" ranking, but their lunch buffet is also highly recommended! Every day, it gets packed with local women around noon.

The buffet menu changes every month starting on the 15th, and there are plenty of events such as limited-time fairs and special menus. In addition to the fun of "choosing" which is unique to buffets, it's also nice that they have Blue Seal ice cream for dessert.

Located in a prime location just a 2-minute walk from Kencho-mae Station on the Yui Rail, right at the entrance to Kokusai-dori, admission is ¥1,620 for adults and ¥918 for children on weekdays, with free admission for children under elementary school age (¥1,836 for adults and ¥1,134 for children on weekends and holidays). Plus, there's a senior discount for those 65 and over: ¥1,200 on weekdays and ¥1,500 on weekends and holidays! (ID verification required.)

This all-you-can-eat buffet offers great value and is perfect for everyone to enjoy to their heart's content, from meals to tea. Highly recommended!

[Hotel Rocore Naha Aletta]
Address: 1-1-2 Matsuo, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture, Hotel Rocore Naha 2F
TEL：098-867-0100
Parking: Discounts available at affiliated parking lots.
Opening hours: 6: 30 to 22: 00
Breakfast: 6:30-10:00 (last entry 9:30)
Lunch: 11:30 AM - 15:00 PM (Last entry 14:00 PM)
Dinner: 18:00-22:00 (Last entry 21:00)
Closed: Open all year round
Restaurant campaign information　http://www.rocore.jp/aletta/

⑥ You can cook and eat the fish you buy! [Makishi Public Market]

*Makishi Public Market will cease operations at its current location on June 16, 2019, due to reconstruction.

This market sells a variety of Okinawan fish and meat. The first floor is a direct sales area where you can buy fish, meat, souvenirs, pickles, and more.
However, you might find it difficult to move forward because you'll be constantly approached by shopkeepers saying things like, "This fish is delicious!" and "Buy some as a souvenir!" just by walking around.
The second floor has several restaurants that will cook the fish you buy on the first floor. However, the cooking methods vary from restaurant to restaurant, so be sure to check beforehand.

Also, you can place an order even if you don't buy fish on the first floor, so it's easy even for first-timers.
Since there are often news reports and live broadcasts, you might even get to meet some famous people from Okinawa...

[Makishi Public Market]
Address: 2-10-1 Matsuo, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture
TEL：098-867-0111
Parking lot: None
Hours: 08: 00 ~ 21: 00
Closed: Fourth Sunday of every month (except December), New Year's Day, Lunar New Year, and Obon (Buddhist festival).

Let's check the location of the shop that caught our eye.

Next page: When you're feeling a little hungry, try this! Fast food edition