What comes to mind when you think of the charms of Kumejima Island? Many people would probably think of its beautiful ocean scenery. Of course, that's true, but another major attraction known to those in the know is its food. Kumejima is a small island, only about 50km in circumference, but it is home to a variety of ingredients, and you can enjoy a wide range of unique local cuisine made using these ingredients. This time, we've carefully selected 10 must-try gourmet dishes on Kumejima, from sweets to hearty meals!

<Table of Contents>
1. Yamasato Yuntaku Market "Okinawa Soba"
2. Yukui-dokoro Waraijima "Kuruma Ebi Soba"
3. Yangwa "Island Miso Bean Sprout Noodles"
4. Akamine Pineapple Orchard "Pineapple Juice"
5. Minshuku Kuroshio "Okinawa Zenzai"
6. Seafood Restaurant Kameki: "Purple Sweet Potato Taiyaki"
7. BACK SHORE RANCH "Garlic Shrimp"
8. Higa Gurukun Kamaboko Shop "Gurukun Kamaboko"
9. Namiji "Assorted Sashimi"

Show all table of contents

1. A location with a spectacular view! Yamasato Yuntaku Market "Okinawa Soba"

When visiting Okinawa, the first dish you'll want to try is probably Okinawa soba. Kumejima Island boasts a wide variety of Okinawa soba, from classic to unique creations.

Among them, the one I'd like to recommend as a classic "Okinawa soba" is the bowl you can get at "Yamazato Yuntaku Market" in Nakazato, inland on Kumejima Island. The hearty Chinese noodles and Japanese-style broth go together perfectly, and the pork belly provides a rich accent.

And what makes Okinawa soba even more delicious is this view! Yuntaku Market is located on a hill, offering a 180-degree panoramic view of the sea around Kumejima.

<Basic information about Yamasato Yuntaku Market>
Address: 352-1 Yamasato, Kumejima-cho, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa Prefecture
Opening hours: 10 hours to 19 hours
Closed holiday: irregular holiday
Telephone number: 098-987-1301

2. Packed with rich flavor! Yukui-dokoro Warashima's "Kuruma Prawn Soba"

On the other hand, a prime example of Kumejima's unique soba is the "Kuruma Ebi Soba" from Yukui-dokoro Waraijima. The soup base is made from kuruma shrimp, which are widely farmed on Kumejima, and kuruma shrimp are also used generously as a topping.

The gentle sweetness in the soup comes from "Kumejima Taira no Miso," a traditional seasoning that is low in salt and additive-free. The combination of the prawns and miso is superb. And when you slurp the noodles and bite into the prawns along with this perfectly crafted soup, a rich, high-quality flavor spreads throughout your mouth.

This is a highly-regarded ramen dish that won the Grand Prix at the 4th National Tournament of "Treasures of Japan" in 2019.

<Basic information about Yukui-dokoro Warashima>
Address: 1372-1 Nishime, Kumejima-cho, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa Prefecture
Opening hours: 11 hours to 15 hours
Closed: Thursday
Telephone number: 090-3790-4518

3. Enjoy "Island Miso Bean Sprout Soba" at the charming old farmhouse, Yangwa.

Along with Yukui-dokoro Waraijima, Yangwa is a renowned restaurant that is leading the way in Kumejima soba. Located in the southern part of the island, on Jinjin Road, it is easily recognizable by its old tiled-roof houses. The garden is filled with seasonal flowers, providing a relaxing atmosphere even before you enter the restaurant.

One of Yangwa's signature dishes is the "Island Miso Bean Sprout Soba." This dish also uses miso from Taira, Kumejima, but it gives a completely different impression from the prawn soba mentioned earlier. The star of the show is definitely the miso. Using the miso as the base, they combine it with other Kumejima ingredients such as bonito broth, deep-sea water, and Sokei bean sprouts to create a deeply flavorful soup characterized by its gentle sweetness.

<Basic information about Yangwa>
Address: 509 Nakadomari, Kumejima-cho, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa Prefecture
Opening hours: 12 hours to 14 hours 30 minutes
Closed: Sunday

4. A taste of Kumejima that you can enjoy all year round! Akamine Pineapple Farm's "Pineapple Juice"

Sweets are an essential part of any discussion about Kumejima's cuisine. True to its tropical location, the sweets menu is packed with Instagram-worthy options. A must-try is the "Pineapple Juice" from Akamine Pineapple Farm. Made with 100% pineapple juice, it lets you enjoy the fruit's natural sweetness straight away! Incidentally, Kumejima's average annual temperature is around 23℃, so even in the cold winter months, you can enjoy a delicious cold juice.

During harvest season, lots of pineapples are lined up near the benches outside the shop. The surrounding area offers great views and is perfect for photos, so be sure to stop by on a sunny day!

<Basic Information about Akamine Pineapple Farm>
Address: Nakamurakyo, Kumejima-cho, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa Prefecture
Opening hours: 9 hours to 18 hours
Closed holiday: irregular holiday
Telephone number: 098-985-4651

5. Enjoy it by the beautiful beach! Minshuku Kuroshio's "Okinawa Zenzai"

Eef Beach is one of Kumejima's most iconic scenic spots. Selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Beaches, this beach boasts a refreshing contrast of blue and white. While gazing at it, you should definitely try the "Okinawa Zenzai" (available only in summer) at Minshuku Kuroshio.

This hearty dessert features a generous portion of red bean paste topped with a mound of shaved ice. The key is the generous amount of Kumejima's famous "sugarcane brown sugar syrup" drizzled over it. As you eat, the gentle sweetness spreads throughout your mouth. We also recommend adding Blue Seal ice cream as a topping for an extra 100 yen!

<Basic information about Minshuku Kuroshio>
Address: 548-24 Janado, Kumejima-cho, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa Prefecture
Telephone number: 098-985-7355

6. To finish off, enjoy a sweet treat made with purple sweet potato, a specialty of Kumejima Island. Kameki Seafood Restaurant's "Purple Sweet Potato Taiyaki"

Located right next to Eef Beach, "Kamekichi Seafood Restaurant" is a popular Okinawan restaurant where you can easily stop by during your sightseeing. Its appeal lies in the fact that you can enjoy a wide range of dishes from lunch to dinner. The signature dish, "Zaru Mozuku," features the elasticity and aroma of the sea that only natural mozuku can offer, and it pairs perfectly with the special sauce.

Furthermore, the menu features dishes that make ample use of the island's bounty, such as Kumejima red chicken, Aosa seaweed, and Mozuku seaweed, allowing you to fully enjoy the flavors of Kumejima. For the perfect ending to your meal, we recommend the "Purple Sweet Potato Taiyaki." The natural sweetness of the purple sweet potato spreads subtly, and the crispy yet chewy texture is delightful. It's a simple yet deeply flavorful dish.

<Basic information about Kameki Seafood Restaurant>
Address: 160-39 Higa, Kumejima-cho, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa Prefecture
Opening hours: 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM (Last order 9:30 PM)
Closed: Tuesday
TEL：098-985-8703
HP:https://www.instagram.com/kumejima_kameyoshi/

7. Garlic shrimp on a rich pizza! BACK SHORE RANCH "Garlic Shrimp"

Now, for the last three, let's introduce some hidden gems that are essential for Kumejima's gourmet scene! First up is "BACK SHORE RANCH," located along the seaside road that leads from Eef Beach to Shimajiri in the southern part of the island. The contrast between its white exterior and the blue sea is striking, creating a resort-like atmosphere.

This restaurant serves "Garlic Shrimp," made with plenty of kuruma prawns from Kumejima Island. It's crispy and fragrant, and you can really taste the natural flavor of the shrimp. The tangy tomato base makes even a hearty and rich pizza surprisingly easy to eat.

<Basic information about BACK SHORE RANCH>
Address: 169-54 Shimajiri, Kumejima-cho, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa Prefecture
Opening hours: 10 hours to 18 hours
Closed: Monday
Telephone number: 098-987-4627

8. The taste of Kumejima passed down through generations! Higa Gurukun Kamaboko Shop's "Gurukun Kamaboko"

Gurukun fish are caught in large quantities in the waters around Kumejima. For over 50 years, Grandma Higa has been making kamaboko (fish cake) from these fish and selling it on Kumejima. However, Grandma is getting on in years. Just when she was considering closing her shop, her grandchildren returned to Kumejima and decided to take over the "Gurukun Kamaboko" business.

The couple says they can now recreate their grandmother's recipe quite well. This family, always smiling, makes kamaboko (fish cake) with great care every day, and it's a dish that directly conveys the delicious flavor of gurukun (a type of fish). The more you chew, the more your mouth is filled with a pleasant umami taste.

<Basic information about Higa Gurukun Kamaboko Shop>
Address: 501 Magari, Kumejima-cho, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa Prefecture
Opening hours: 9 hours to 17 hours
Closed on: Please check by phone in advance.
Telephone number: 070-8321-5518

9. Incredible visuals and volume! Namiji's "Sashimi Platter"

There are many izakayas (Japanese pubs) near Eef Beach. While hotels with dinner included are a good option, it might be nice to leave your evenings free and enjoy yourself. My top recommendation is "Namiji," where you can enjoy plenty of fresh seafood caught off Kumejima Island.

My top recommendation is the "Sashimi Platter." It's incredibly generous in portion size, and it's a hot topic among locals. Take a look for proof. There are three types of sashimi platters: Matsu (2000 yen), Take (1500 yen), and Ume (1000 yen), but even these are huge! They contain about 25 slices of 7-8 different kinds of fish. It's guaranteed to go perfectly with drinks!
<Basic information about wave routes>
Address: 548-32 Janado, Kumejima-cho, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa Prefecture
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday 11:00-14:00 and 17:00-23:00, Monday lunch only, Sunday open all day.
Telephone number: 098-985-7046

Final thoughts

So, what did you think? This time, we've carefully selected and introduced some of the best gourmet food you'll want to try on Kumejima, one of Okinawa's remote islands. In addition to its beautiful scenery, Kumejima is also full of culinary delights. If you ever visit the island, be sure to stay for a while and savor the local flavors to your heart's content!