One thing you absolutely must do when you come to Okinawa is to "eat Okinawan cuisine"!
Enjoying Okinawa's unique food culture, such as goya champuru, soki soba, sea grapes, and asa soup, is one of the great pleasures of traveling.
Pork is an indispensable ingredient in Okinawan cuisine. You can enjoy it in many local dishes such as rafute and mimiga, but did you know that there are actually Okinawan brands of pork?
This time, we'll introduce restaurants where you can enjoy "Agu," an Okinawan brand of pork that inherits the bloodline of the Ryukyu native breed "Agu."
The defining characteristic of "Agu" pork is its melt-in-your-mouth fat, yet it's low in cholesterol and healthy. It's a rare delicacy that's hard to find outside of Okinawa Prefecture, so please enjoy this special "Agu" pork!
<Contents>
1. Packed with flavor and nutrients! Enjoy steamed dishes at "Okinawan Cuisine Shimabutaya"
2. Island vegetables & instant steamed dishes are our specialty! We also have a great selection of local sake. "Farmhouse Robata Shimabutaya"
3. Healthy steamed dishes on Kokusai Street! "Steam Dining Shimabutaya"
4. Enjoy Agu pork cutlets and shabu-shabu! "Okinawa Tonkatsu Restaurant Shimabutaya"
5. Conclusion
1. Packed with flavor and nutrients! Enjoy steamed dishes at "Okinawan Cuisine Shimabutaya"
Located about a 6-minute drive from Manzamo, a scenic spot in Okinawa, is "Okinawan Cuisine Shimabutaya".
This restaurant has sunken seating areas, making it a safe and comfortable option for families with small children.
Here, the steamed pork courses using "Shimakuru" and "Yanbaru Shimabuta Agu," both of which are purebred Agu pigs, are popular.
In particular, "Shimakuru" is a super premium pork made from 100% purebred Agu pigs from Ganaha Livestock Farm!
Steaming in a bamboo steamer removes excess fat, maximizing the nutrients and flavor of the ingredients.
It's healthy, so you won't feel guilty even if you eat a lot. Enjoy plenty of fresh vegetables and precious meat to your heart's content!
A cute pig sculpture greets you at the entrance of the shop!
The warmth of the staff who greet you with such enthusiasm makes you want to say, "I'm home!"
Of course, in addition to steamed dishes, there are plenty of other dishes using Agu pork, such as "Goya Champuru" and "Butaman" (pork buns).
It seems like we could have a wonderful evening with awamori aged in earthenware jars.
|
TEL:098-966-1450 Address: 6369-1 Onna, Onna Village, Kunigami District Access: Approximately 5 minutes by car from Yaka Interchange on the Okinawa Expressway. Opening hours: 17:00 AM - 24:00 AM (Last order 23:00 PM) Closed holiday: irregular holiday Click here to make a reservation:https://www.tablecheck.com/shops/shimabutaya/reserve |
2. Island vegetables & instant steamed dishes are our specialty! We also have a great selection of local sake. "Farmhouse Robata Shimabutaya"
Located along the coast of National Route 58, where resort hotels line the street, is "Nouen Robata Shimabutaya".
A popular dish is the "Instant Awamori Steamed Yanbaru Island Pork Agu Belly," where the flavor of the ingredients is locked in by steaming them with water and awamori (!). The alcohol evaporates with the steam, so it's suitable for those who don't like alcohol and for children. It's served with homemade ponzu sauce and Miyako salt.
The moment you open the lid, a cloud of hot steam will rise, and it's sure to elicit cheers!
Here, you can enjoy plenty of locally grown vegetables as well as Agu pork.
The salad bar, curated by a vegetable sommelier, is all-you-can-eat! It's great that they have a wide variety of rare Okinawan vegetables, as well as organic and pesticide-free produce.
They offer a wide selection of Okinawan drinks, including hibiscus-based liquors and awamori cocktails. With tasting sets and all-you-can-drink options, you can fully enjoy Okinawan alcohol!
This is a popular restaurant that is bustling with tourists from both within Japan and overseas, so reservations are recommended.
With its Okinawan charm and stylish design, it's perfect for everyday wear as well as special occasion dates!
|
TEL:098-964-3785 Address: 909-2 Maeganeku, Onna Village, Kunigami District Access: Approximately 10 minutes by car from Ishikawa Interchange on the Okinawa Expressway. Opening hours: 17:00 AM - 24:00 AM (Last order 23:00 PM) Closed holiday: irregular holiday Click here to make a reservation:https://www.tablecheck.com/shops/shimabutaya-nouen/reserv |
3. Healthy steamed dishes on Kokusai Street! "Steam Dining Shimabutaya"
Located just off Kokusai Street, "Steam Dining Shimabutaya" is the perfect spot for a night out while sightseeing in Naha.
As the name suggests, their specialty is "steamed dishes"! It's an exquisite dish that keeps customers coming back for more.
Steamed dishes are rare in Okinawa, so it seems to be highly regarded not only by tourists but also by locals.
We are committed to using only locally sourced ingredients, and everything we serve is handmade.
Each seat has a steamer basket, creating a lively and enjoyable atmosphere for everyone to share.
The steamed dish comes with plenty of meat, carefully selected vegetables, and Agu pork meatballs in bamboo tubes.
Waiting for it to finish steaming is fun too!
In addition to steamed dishes, pay attention to the uniquely evolved Okinawan cuisine.
They also offer a variety of original dishes, such as "Agu Pork Goya Champuru," which reduces the bitterness of the bitter melon, and "Ryukyu Pork Rafute Fried Rice," which features braised pork belly.
Look for the exterior that has a distinctly Okinawan feel!
If you're tired from strolling along Kokusai Street, let's have dinner here!
You can enjoy Okinawan cuisine, from main courses to desserts, all made with carefully selected ingredients.
|
TEL:098-861-2739 Address: 1F Kumoji Mansion, 3-29-41 Kumoji, Naha City Access: Approximately 5 minutes on foot from Kencho-mae Station on the Yui Rail line. Opening hours: 17:00 AM - 24:00 AM (Last order 23:00 PM) Closed holiday: irregular holiday Click here to make a reservation:https://www.tablecheck.com/shops/shimabutaya-kumoji/reserve |
4. Enjoy Agu pork cutlets and shabu-shabu! "Okinawa Tonkatsu Restaurant Shimabutaya"
"Okinawa Tonkatsu Shokudo Shimabutaya" is a restaurant where you can enjoy a variety of Agu pork dishes.
Our pride and joy is our "premium rib loin cutlet" made with Yanbaru Island Agu pork!
This dish incorporates various techniques to enhance its flavor, such as using Agu pork lard for frying.
It's a generous 250g portion, but you'll easily finish it all. Don't underestimate tonkatsu in Okinawa; give it a try!
Also, we recommend the shabu-shabu, which is made with carefully selected broth.
They use a broth made by simmering the "genkotsu" part of the pork bone, which is particularly flavorful, for 6 hours and then letting it rest overnight. With a light dipping sauce, it seems like you could eat it endlessly!
You can also enjoy various other dishes, such as "Agu pork belly seared sushi" and "Agu pork prosciutto"!
This store has two locations in Okinawa Prefecture: one in Onna Village and another near Kokusai Street.
The Onna branch has terrace seating, where you can enjoy your meal while gazing at the beautiful starry sky on clear days.
Eating Agu pork while feeling the night breeze is truly special!
|
Onna village TEL:098-923-1518 Address: 96-1 Maeganeku, Onna Village, Kunigami District Access: Approximately 5 minutes by car from Ishikawa Interchange on the Okinawa Expressway. Opening hours: 11:30 AM - 24:00 AM (Last order 23:00 PM) Closed holiday: irregular holiday Click here to make a reservation:https://www.tablecheck.com/shops/shimabutaya-tonkatsu/reserve |
The Kumoji branch, located near Kokusai Street, is bustling with a diverse range of customers, including not only tourists but also office workers on their way home from work and local families.
The variety of seating options, including counter seats, tables, and booth seats, is great because you can enjoy it in a way that suits your needs.
|
Kumoji store TEL:098-988-3909 Address: 2-10-20 Kumoji, Naha City, Hakuba Mansion 101 Access: Approximately 5 minutes on foot from Kencho-mae Station on the Yui Rail line. Business hours: 11:30-15:00, 17:00-23:00 Closed holiday: irregular holiday Click here to make a reservation:https://www.tablecheck.com/shops/shimabutaya-tonkatsukumoji/reserve |
5. Conclusion
I learned that even though we simply call it "Agu pork," there are a variety of ways to enjoy it.
You might enjoy visiting "Shimabuta-ya" every day during your stay to find your favorite way to eat it!
"Agu pork" is a rare type of meat that can only be found in a limited number of restaurants in Okinawa. Be sure to try this proud Okinawan brand of pork!
Please make your hotel reservation here.
Shirokuma Tours offers affordable Okinawa package tours. A wide variety of options are available, including tours to Ishigaki and Miyako Islands.
For local experiences and optional tours such as snorkeling and sightseeing bus tours, choose Tabi Plus One.
For diving in Okinawa, from license acquisition and fun dives to introductory experiences, choose Oceans Dive Tour.






















