The phrase "oden in Okinawa" might not resonate with people outside of Okinawa Prefecture.

Warm oden in Okinawa, a place known for its hot weather?
Isn't oden something you eat when it's cold?
Are there any unique characteristics of Okinawa?

We'll answer those questions here!

Oden Todai closed its doors on September 26, 2022.
The following is a report from the visit.

~Summary of this review~
[1] Okinawa, which also has oden specialty restaurants
[1-1] Popular at home and as a snack bar

[2] The main ingredient in Okinawan oden is "pork"
[2-1] Pork plays a major role in both the broth and the ingredients.
[2-2] Plenty of leafy greens for a healthy meal
[2-3] Other ingredients are the same as in other prefectures.
[2-4] Convenience store oden also has regional variations

[3] I went to the popular Okinawan oden restaurant "Todai"
[3-1] A popular restaurant bustling with locals and tourists.
[3-2] Classic Oden Menu
[3-3] Bonus Episode! It's not oden, but... Grilled Tebichi is a must-try!

[Summary] Great taste, authentic Okinawan flavor, and cheap!

[1-1] Popular year-round, both at home and in snack bars.

In mainland Japan (outside Okinawa Prefecture), oden is a staple winter dish.
When you see oden lined up in convenience stores, you really feel the changing seasons, thinking, "Ah, it's getting colder now."

Some people might think that oden, a type of Japanese hot pot, is a mismatch for the warm climate of Okinawa.
But actually, it's surprisingly integrated into everyday life.

The background to this is

"Because it's warm all year round, the idea of ​​'eating it when it's cold' doesn't really come to mind."
Some say that,
"Because of the strong winds, winters in Okinawa can be quite cold," or rather...
"It's great as a snack with drinks. It goes well with awamori (Okinawan liquor)!" is one of the comments.
There are various theories.

While all of these points have merit, the fact that it "goes well with alcohol" is a particularly fitting point for Okinawa's cheerful and enjoyable atmosphere for drinking. Many snack bars serve oden year-round, and you can even find it at convenience stores.

It's a staple dish in home cooking. The fact that people from outside Okinawa might find it surprising to hear about oden in Okinawa is itself surprising to Okinawans.

 

Okinawa has its own unique food culture, and even its oden (Japanese hot pot) has an Okinawan touch.

[2-1] Pork plays a major role in both the broth and the ingredients.

The star of Okinawan oden is "tebichi" (pig's trotters). Simmered until tender, it creates a collagen-rich, slightly thickened broth.

Of course, Tebichi (pig's trotters) is a popular local ingredient. We enjoy the tender, jiggly meat.
(Those unfamiliar with this should be careful not to bite into it too hard. It may look tender, but it's actually bone-in meat, so the edible portion is surprisingly small.)

In Okinawan cuisine, every part of the pig, from head to toe, is used without waste.
Besides tebichi (pig's trotters), sausages are also a staple ingredient in oden. Soki (pork ribs, spare ribs) is also a popular choice.
Apparently, some families even add Spam to their meals.

[2-2] Plenty of leafy greens for a healthy meal

Another staple of Okinawan oden is leafy greens. They are added to the pot at the end after simmering the tebichi (pig's trotters) and other ingredients.

Komatsuna (Japanese mustard spinach), lettuce, spinach, bok choy, water spinach, and many other vegetables appear depending on the season.
The designated place for serving is right in the center. With green vegetables and collagen from the pig's trotters, Okinawan oden is quite healthy.

[2-3] Other ingredients are the same as in other prefectures.

I've introduced Tebichi (pig's trotters) and green vegetables, but the so-called "oden ingredients" that people from outside the prefecture might imagine are also staples in Okinawa.
Add fried tofu, eggs, daikon radish, or whatever you like.

[2-4] Convenience store oden also has regional variations

These days, the easiest place to eat oden might just be a convenience store.
Convenience store oden is still popular in Okinawa, and they even have local specialties.

★Lawson's Okinawa-exclusive menu

★FamilyMart Okinawa Okinawa Limited Menu

( From FamilyMart Okinawa's 2014 "Oden with Extra Sauce for 70 Yen Sale" )

Okinawa has many restaurants specializing in oden (Japanese hot pot). I went to one of the popular ones, "Todai."

[3-1] A popular restaurant bustling with locals and tourists.

This restaurant opens at 9:30 PM, and is popular as a second or third stop for drinks.

The location is Asato. It's a convenient 3-4 minute walk from Asato Station on the Yui Rail, making it easily accessible for tourists and business travelers staying in Naha.

However... as soon as you step outside the station, you're greeted by a distinctly local atmosphere. With rows of snack bar signs and cheerful laughter echoing through the air, it might take a little courage for first-time visitors to venture in.

Here's what it looks like from the outside.

The exterior is so dark that it's hard to tell at a glance whether it's open or not. The door is dark blue, and you can only tell that there's a light on inside when you get closer.
We cannot see what is inside.

This shop has a line of customers waiting for it to open 30 minutes before it even opens. The opening time is 21:30 PM. The fact that people are willing to line up even at that time shows just how popular it is.

When we went, it was around 22:30 PM on a Saturday. Naturally, it was completely full.
When I spoke to the brisk young woman, she said she would call me when a seat became available.
I gave them my phone number and took a stroll around the Asato area, which has a deep, savory atmosphere.
They're all interesting...

I wandered around for about 30 minutes. Then I got a phone call, so I rushed back to the shop!
We went up to the private room in the back.

Let's start with an Orion beer, cheers!

The accompanying dish was "mimiga (pig's ear) and mame (kidney) sashimi."

Some people might be put off by the idea of ​​eating ears and kidneys, but they're not so bad when you see them in person. Even though it's called sashimi, it's not raw; it's been briefly blanched in hot water. The texture is great!
The price ranges from 200 to 500 yen, and they will adjust the price depending on the number of people.

[3-2] The Oden Characters Appear

"Todai" is a restaurant specializing in oden (Japanese hot pot).
However, the most popular item on the menu is actually "grilled pig's trotters."
I'll report on this "grilled pig's trotters" later, but because it's grilled very slowly, it takes about an hour after ordering!

So, my recommendation is to order a drink, some quick appetizers, and then some grilled pig's trotters first.
We ordered some oden while snacking on "mimiga (pig's ear) and mame (kidney) sashimi."

They offer a platter (1,200 yen), but there are also plenty of individual dishes ranging from 100 to 300 yen.

<<100 Yen Menu>>

• Daikon Radish
• egg
• Chikuwa
• Konjac
• Winner
• Gizzard
• Burdock tempura
• Kelp
• Skewered Shitake Mushroom
• Chikiage (fish paste and vegetables)
• Mochi
• Drawstring bag (konjac noodles)
• じゃがいも
• Nakami skewers
• Chicken heart skewers

<<200 Yen Menu>>

• Chicken wings
• Deep-fried tofu
• drawstring bag (mochi)
• Drawstring bag (hijiki seaweed)
• Chicken neck meat (seseri)

<<300 Yen Menu>>

• Tebichi
• Beef tendon

<<600 yen>>

• One serving of oden

<<1,200 yen>>

• Assorted Oden

You can choose whatever you like, but if you're visiting from out of town, I recommend the assorted platter.
You'll discover Okinawan oden that you wouldn't normally choose or are unfamiliar with.

A Okinawan-style oden dish piled high with green vegetables!
The good balance of vegetables and meat might be the secret to Okinawa's longevity.

The seasoning is light, but the flavor of the tebichi (pig's trotters) has permeated the dish, giving it a somewhat rich and creamy texture.

And then there's Tebichi (pig's trotters). (Photo on the left)

Visitors from outside the prefecture might be surprised by the unfamiliar appearance and wonder, "Where do I even begin...?"

It takes up quite a bit of space on the plate, making a strong impression.
However, about half of the inside is bone.
If you bite into it too hard, you might hurt your teeth.
First, take a bite to check the thickness of the meat.

The texture is incredibly bouncy. It's like the fatty part of pork, but not oily or heavy. It feels like a lump of collagen. At first, take a gentle bite directly, and at the end, use chopsticks to scoop up every last bit of meat.

[3-3] Bonus Episode! It's not oden, but... Grilled Tebichi is a must-try!

After enjoying the tender oden and ordering more drinks, the famous "grilled pig's trotters" finally arrives.
Once again, it has an appearance that makes you think, "What is this!?"
Many pig's feet are densely packed together in a circular pattern.

It's crispy on the outside and incredibly fragrant. The texture is fantastic!

Inside, it's piping hot, plump, and flavored with soy sauce. It's a texture I've never experienced before. There's absolutely no unpleasant smell. Wow, it goes perfectly with alcohol!

As you enjoy the fresh taste, you'll notice something strange in your mouth.
The key is that it sticks to your teeth!
With every bite, the bouncy texture sticks to your teeth, starting from your front teeth all the way to your back teeth.
It's hot, sticky, but delicious! Those with sensitive tongues should be careful, but before you know it, you'll have gone one after another. It's easy to see why people line up for this.

Great taste, authentic Okinawan flavor, and cheap!

Okinawan oden, appetizers, and grilled pig's trotters—each dish is seasoned quite lightly. They're often lightly seasoned with salt or have a subtle soy sauce flavor.
It's surprisingly easy to eat, considering its appearance!

On the other hand, the thick broth and texture from the tebichi (pig's trotters) subtly fill you up.
When ordering, it's best not to be greedy.

One last thing to mention about the appeal of Okinawan oden: its affordability!

The "University of Tokyo" restaurant I introduced this time, as you can see in the photo, ordered a variety of dishes and had refills on drinks, and the total came to about 3,000 yen.
In addition, the popular restaurant "Ofukuro" offers all-you-can-eat oden and all-you-can-drink awamori (including up to 3 beers) for just 2,000 yen!

The taste is easy to eat even for first-timers. But you can really taste the Okinawan flavor in the tebichi (pig's trotters). Plus, it's great value for money.
If you're in Okinawa and decide to go to a second place, be sure to consider Okinawan oden as an option.

Please make your hotel reservation here.

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