Okinawa has so many Okinawan soba specialty restaurants that it can be hard to decide where to go.
In such situations, I, a local, would recommend "Yonabaru-ya," an Okinawan soba specialty restaurant located in Yonabaru Town.
One of the unique features of Yonahara-ya is that you can choose between a light or rich broth for your Okinawan soba.
In addition to being a specialty Okinawan soba restaurant, it also offers set meals and children's menus, making it very convenient. It's a popular spot that's bustling with local families on weekends.

1. "Yonabaru-ya" is a long-established Okinawa soba specialty restaurant founded in 60.

Yonabaru-ya is a restaurant that has been serving its local community in Yonabaru town ever since its founding in 60.
The company's founder, Mr. Uehara, decided to quit his family's pharmacy business and start making Okinawan soba, which he loved.

The spacious interior features raised tatami seating areas along the walls, while the central area has table seating and counter seating surrounding a fish tank.

I visited right when they opened at 11:00. A quick and efficient woman took my order.
While we waited for our food, more and more customers came in, and around noon, the number of families with small children increased, making the tatami seating area lively.

2. Menu at "Yonabaru-ya"

If you go to Yonabaru-ya, the first thing you should definitely try is Okinawa soba.
The Okinawa soba menu offers two types of soup – light and rich – and different toppings, and is available in two sizes: regular and small.
Okinawa soba: Small (light broth) is 650 yen, regular size is 750 yen. Rich broth: Small is 690 yen, regular size is 790 yen.
(Price as of August 2022)

If you're undecided between the regular and the slightly larger portions, refer to the life-sized photos of the dishes displayed on the wall.

My personal recommendation is the "Okinawa Soba (rich broth, small)" and the Inari set.
After eating the soba noodles, the combination of the collagen-rich soup and the tangy inari sushi was amazing!! I also love the shredded egg on top.

The "Tebichi Soba (light broth, regular size)" comes with a huge portion of tebichi (pig's trotters) on top. Tebichi is also rich in collagen.

Most of the menu items, excluding soba noodles, are reasonably priced at under 1000 yen, including vegetable champuru set meals, chicken cutlet set meals, curry rice, and simmered dish set meals.
The set meals are very generous in portion size, so this restaurant is recommended for those who want a hearty meal.

3. The reason why "Yonabaru-ya" now offers two types of soup is...

The defining feature of "Yonabaru-ya" is undoubtedly its two types of soup.

The reason we have two types of soup is that when we first opened the restaurant, my wife and I thoroughly researched Okinawan soba soup, and as a result, we came up with two different soups.
When they asked their employees for their opinions, the responses were split almost evenly, so they decided to offer both!
This story really conveys the president and his wife's desire to bring joy to many people.
Personally, I always choose the richer flavor.

4. “Yonabaru family” basic information

"Yonabaru House" is located about 30 minutes by car from Naha Airport. It's easy to find even for first-time visitors as it's along the national highway.

The parking lot is spacious, with 4-5 spaces next to the store and a large area behind it, for a total of about 60 cars.
Please be careful not to park in the apartment building's parking spaces.

Final thoughts

Most Okinawan soba restaurants serve a light broth made with bonito stock, and rich, hearty soups like those at Yonabaruya are relatively rare.
Yonabaru-ya's rich and hearty soup is packed with collagen and has a thick consistency, but what's great about it is that it's surprisingly not heavy on the stomach.
I really hope you'll give it a try, and I'd love for more people to become addicted to it like I am!

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