The dazzling sun, the relentless sunlight, my parched throat—ah! I want to eat zenzai!

"What are you talking about? Zenzai is something you eat in the cold winter, isn't it?"
If you thought that, you're completely wrong. In Okinawa, "zenzai" refers to a cold dessert consisting of shaved ice topped with sweet beans (mainly kidney beans) and mochi balls.

In Okinawa, where it's warm all year round, cold zenzai (sweet red bean soup) is an indispensable part of life.
You can enjoy delicious Okinawan zenzai (sweet red bean soup) at specialty shops, as well as at Okinawan soba restaurants, diners, cafes, and many other places throughout the prefecture.

This time, I went to Fujiya, one of the most famous restaurants in Okinawa Prefecture!
We'll introduce you to the charms of truly exquisite zenzai (sweet red bean soup)!

<Table of Contents>
1. What kind of place is the extremely popular restaurant "Fujiya"?
2. This is "Fujiya Zenzai"!
3. Access to Fujiya & Detailed Information
4. Exquisite zenzai (sweet red bean soup), the sea, and music.

1. What kind of place is the extremely popular restaurant "Fujiya"?

"Fujiya" is located in Tomari, Naha City.
It is located in the middle of Kokusai Street, about a 10-minute walk from Miebashi Station on the Yui Rail.

The area surrounding the shop is a quiet residential neighborhood, but during lunchtime and snack time, it's not uncommon to see long lines of people waiting to enjoy the shop's delicious menu!

Actually, besides Okinawan zenzai (sweet red bean soup), Coco Fujiya is also popular as a place where you can enjoy delicious Okinawan cuisine at reasonable prices.

For Okinawan residents, having a hearty meal followed by Okinawan zenzai (sweet red bean soup) as a finishing touch is a standard routine for staying energetic during the hot summer months.
It's only natural that Fujiya, where you can enjoy exquisite zenzai (sweet red bean soup), also offers a variety of delicious rice dishes!

Fujiya is so popular that there's often a line, but the restaurant itself is spacious and comfortable.
The fact that you can choose your seating arrangement—table seats, tatami rooms, or counter seats—to suit your travel needs is a great plus. It's almost surprising that there's a line despite the restaurant being so spacious!

When you hear the terms "popular restaurant" or "famous restaurant," you often imagine a crowded and somewhat unsettling atmosphere, but Fujiya is quite the opposite.
Surrounded by retro items, the shop exudes a relaxed and unhurried atmosphere.

Stepping into the shop, you feel a sense of relief, and it seems that's not just because you've escaped the strong sunlight.

2. This is "Fujiya Zenzai"!

I was already feeling relaxed and soothed by the shop's atmosphere, but the real treat starts here. Let's try Fujiya's signature dish, "Fujiya Zenzai (320 yen including tax)"!

Once you enter the restaurant, you buy your meal ticket and place your order at the vending machine, and then all you have to do is wait excitedly.

Now, the picture of "Fujiya Zenzai" on the menu looks like the familiar "shaved ice." However, what was brought to the table on the tray was...

Two bowls...!?

Yes, these "two vessels" are the true essence of the Fuji family!
This is the secret behind why Fujiya's zenzai (sweet red bean soup) is said to be a truly unique and exquisite dish.

This way of eating was devised to ensure that you enjoy the food at its most delicious state, right down to the last bite. The ice is served in a tumbler, and the beans (adzuki beans) and mochi balls are served in a glass bowl.
While the tumbler itself is impressive, the generous amount of kidney beans packed into the bowl is truly breathtaking.

These days, fluffy shaved ice is all the rage, but compared to that, Fujiya's ice looks hard and coarse at first glance.

However, when you put a spoon in, it's crunchy, and when you put it in your mouth, it melts gently—a truly delightful ice.
It has a truly unique texture; you definitely feel like you're eating ice, yet it doesn't come across as "hard" or "coarse."

The elegant sweetness of the plump, large kidney beans creates a synergistic effect that makes it impossible to stop eating once you start!

"Our ice is made from the broth used to boil beans! We even turn the ice into a sorbet before shaving it with a knife," they revealed, sharing what seems to be a trade secret.

Furthermore, there is evidence that even the rate at which the ice melts is being calculated.
"For delivery orders, we adjust the ice hardness to match the timing of when the food will be consumed," is the second trade secret.

That's right, Fujiya is a formidable company that even delivers "Okinawa Zenzai" (a type of sweet red bean soup) in tropical Okinawa. It's an amazing skill that can only be achieved by someone who knows everything about ice!

In other words, the fact that the ice stays crunchy until the very last bite, the slightly sweet ice, and the plump beans—everything is exactly as Fujiya planned.

Incidentally, it comes with a nice touch: a salt cracker (turtle-shaped cracker) to cleanse your palate. To reiterate, this Fujiya Zenzai costs 320 yen including tax.

As expected of such a famous restaurant! I'm impressed.

3. Access to Fujiya & Detailed Information

The exquisite Fujiya zenzai (sweet red bean soup) is something you should definitely try by visiting the shop, but for those who absolutely cannot make it there, delivery is also a great option!

Delivery is available for orders over 1,200 yen, although the delivery area is limited. They also deliver to hotels.
(※For details, please refer to the website below.)

The shop also sells merchandise. Fujiya's original goods feature stylish designs that are perfect for everyday use, making them great souvenirs. Enjoy them along with your memories of delicious zenzai (sweet red bean soup).

[When walking]
Approximately 12 minutes from Miebashi Station on the Yui Rail.

[In the case of a car]
Approximately 5 minutes from Miebashi Station on the Yui Rail.

[Store details]
■Opening hours: 11:00 - 21:00 (Last Order)
■Closed: New Year holidays
■ TEL: 098-869-4657
■Address:2-10-9 Tomari, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture
■Parking: Available (15 spaces)
■HP:http://www.zenzainofujiya.com/

★Recommended time slot
It seems that it tends to get particularly crowded between lunchtime and 17:00 PM, especially on sunny days.
If you want to avoid waiting as much as possible, the morning or evening is the best time to go. Going for a stroll in the cool evening air is also recommended!

4. Exquisite zenzai (sweet red bean soup), the sea, and music.

Besides tourists, the shop attracts high school girls returning from club activities who gather around a bowl of zenzai (sweet red bean soup) and chat, and elementary school students who come in to buy the candies and snacks available inside.
What impressed me most about Coco Fujiya was that it's not just a "super famous restaurant," but also a "restaurant loved by the locals."

"Actually, including the owner, most of the staff are either surfers or music lovers! We're waiting for you with the ocean, music, and our special zenzai (sweet red bean soup)!"

Mr. Uehara, who told me this with a handsome smile, and all the staff members are smiling and friendly, which may be one of the reasons why Fujiya remains a popular restaurant.

Why not take a break and relax at Fujiya, where you can soothe not only your dry throat but also your soul?

Please make your hotel reservation here.

• Rakuten Travel
• Jalan net