CONTRIBUTED BY ALLI MARTIN

We LOVE Chinese food. Eat in, take out, it doesn’t matter. When we were introduced to Getsuen Hanten by some friends, we were hooked. Not only is it across the street from our house (Plaza Housing), but it is delicious. The restaurant also has a very interesting history. As soon as you walk in, you will notice the walls are covered with pictures of both the Japanese and the American military from over 50 years ago.

Getsuen Hanten is a traditional Chinese restaurant. It is a bit more “upscale” and pricey than some others in Okinawa. Although you don’t have to dress up, you also shouldn’t expect to pay $20 for the whole meal. I often see businessmen here for dinners and groups enjoying family-style cuisine.

They have both Japanese and English menus, consisting of traditional Chinese options with sections for seafood, poultry, beef, noodles and rice. They also have course menu offerings, which include a variety of dishes like wontons and shark fin soup, but can be pretty pricey (up to $70 per person). We have tried many dishes on the menu, but really enjoy the spring rolls, sweet and sour pork, and the fried noodles. The staff is very nice and accommodating to your needs.

I highly recommend Getsuen Hanten when you would like a nice Chinese dinner (or lunch). They are located in Plaza House Shopping Center off the 330. There is a large orange sign for the shopping center with several other restaurants and shops.

Hours: Open Daily 11:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Phone: 098-933-3111

Payment: Yen, Dollars, and Credit Card

Address: 3 Chome-1-12 Kubota, Okinawa-shi, Okinawa-ken 904-0023, Japan

Directions:  From Camp Foster: Exit the Legion gate and turn Left on the 330. Follow this road up to where the Aeon mall is being built. Plaza House Shopping Center will be on the right hand side past the mall.

From Kadena: Exit Gate 2 and make a right on the 330. Take the 330 down and you will see Plaza House Shopping Center on the left. It is before you hit the big Aeon mall

Coordinates: 26.3197637, 127.79401529999996

Website: http://www.ryukyujima.net/shop_info.php?ShopCode=022342#_=_

CONTRIBUTED BY JEANIE ANGEL

Hoshida Restaurant is located in American Village. It opened about a year and a half after we PCSed here. We were always very curious about it because it’s not like the other restaurants in American Village. You could walk right by it and hardly realize it is a restaurant at all. It is set in with the other homes to the North of Earth Salon on the corner. It blends right in, as it looks very similar to all the other residential housing.

Hoshida is very quaint- with only 4 or 5 tables. I would recommend calling ahead if you have a large group, as it appears it is the husband and wife who are the only people who work here. You may also have faster service if you let them know ahead of time that you plan on coming. We called because we didn’t know what to expect, and they said it is generally best to make a reservation.

They serve a course menu; so you choose a main dish and you also get a few choices of soup, salad, bread, or rice. We went to celebrate my birthday and ordered a small bottle of champagne. They have quite a few different beverage options. We didn’t order anything for my son, as I assumed he would just share with me. They brought him soup and a small dinner free of charge! It was so nice!

They asked if we were celebrating anything special, I assume because of the champagne, and we told them it was my birthday. They dimmed the lights and brought out a chocolate fruit cake and sang Happy Birthday. There were other people in the restaurant, too, but no one seemed to mind. It was a pretty special place.

Hours: Lunch– 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Dinner– 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

CLOSED TUESDAY

Phone: 098-926-1387

Payment: Yen Only

Address: 15-52 Mihama, Chatan-chō, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa-ken 904-0115, Japan

Directions: From Foster Commissary Gate:

• Turn Right out of the gate and head north on 58.
• Turn Left at the Starbucks intersection, opposite the Lester Gate.
• Turn Right at the last light (opposite the baseball field).
• Go past the movie theater and past Makeman on your left.
• On the very next block on your right on the corner is Hoshida Restaurant.
• No parking available.

Coordinates: 26.3182359, 127.75675380000007

CONTRIBUTED BY BRANDI JAKUBOWICZ

It was a rainy Thursday afternoon when my husband unexpectedly had the day off of work. We planned to do some outside activities, but the weather quickly changed those plans. We decided that rather than venturing outside in the rain, we would go explore the new Aeon Okinawa Rycom Mall, hoping that it would be less busy during the week. We worked up quite the appetite as we worked our way through the mall, and after touring the various food court style lunch options decided to go to the fifth floor “Sky Diner” to see what they had to offer. The scenic views from the top are breathtaking and the smells are quite enticing– a great advertisement for the selection of restaurants that are on this floor.

After completing a round on the fifth floor to look at the different dining options, we ended up deciding to eat at Wild Ocean, a wonderful dine-in seafood and steak restaurant. From the outside, the restaurant has a very modern look with a wall of windows and glass that nicely display the sleek and stylish décor. Inside there is a fully stocked bar, a large amount of booths and tables, and a fresh salad bar. There are also windows framing the grill section so you can watch your food being prepared before it is brought to your table.

We were seated immediately and presented with English menus. The menu had a variety of foo, including: steak, chicken, pork, salmon, hamburgers and various combinations of the meats. All of the meals came with corn, potatoes and the salad/dessert bar, plus the prices were very reasonable. There is also a children’s menu and a unique drink menu with beer, wine, and tropical cocktails to choose from. There is also an optional drink bar that you can add on to your meals for 2.50 yen that includes coffee, tea, or an assortment of fresh fruit juices. The staff’s English was poor but they had written “cheat sheets” and were actively utilizing them. They were very attentive and worked hard to ensure that all of our needs were met despite the language barrier. There was a bit of confusion when only one of us wanted the drink bar, but the staff was quick to fix the error and very apologetic.

I chose the salmon meal, and my husband ordered the steak and hamburger platter. The salmon was delicious and perfectly cooked, and my husband’s food was delicious as well. The hamburger was more of the typical Japanese smothered burger, that is a bit reminiscent of Salisbury steak as opposed to an American style hamburger, but he very much enjoyed it.

As good as the food was, I must say, the highlight of the meal is really the salad bar, which you are guided to after ordering so that you can enjoy it while you wait for your entrée. There is a large selection of fresh chopped vegetables and salad toppings, as well as various prepared salads with four different dressings to choose from. There are also three different kinds of soup, two different kinds of rice, bread, curry and a dessert section. The hot items were hot and everything tasted very fresh. The curry and the garlic rice on the salad bar were, in my opinion, the best curry that I have had on the island thus far. It had large chunks of tender meat in it and the garlic rice was the perfect complement to it. The dessert bar, not that you really have room, consisted of sliced fruit, three different kinds of jello, and a few brownie/cake like bars.

Our bill was a little over 4,000 yen for two entrees and all of the extras that came with it. Overall it was a very good experience and I would definitely recommend it to others if you are looking for a more upscale sit down meal or just want to take in the sweeping views of the island over a deliciously crafted cocktail.

Hours: 1000-2200 7 days a week

Phone Number: 098-982-2051

Payment: Yen and Credit Cards

Address:  Japan, 〒901-2305 Okinawa-ken, Nakagami-gun, Kitanakagusuku-son, Higa 県道85号線

Directions: Located on 5^th floor of the Aeon Mall Okinawa Rycom which is known as the “Sky Diner”.  Aeon Mall Okinawa Rycom is located near the intersection of 85 and 330.

From Kadena Gate 2

• Turn right at Koza Music Center onto 330.
• Continue on 330 and you will see the mall on the left hand side.

From Kadena Gate 1

• Head south on 58 and then turn left onto 23
• Turn right onto 85
• Right before the mall you cross 330.
• The mall will be clearly visible from that intersection.

Coordinates: 26.314286238611693, 127.79647502090143

CONTRIBUTED BY Fun Flying Four

Have you been to Minotagawa yet? You seriously need to… it’s a foodies delight!

Claire Bray-Collin already wrote about the delicious oHacorte Patisserie, (and I can personally vouch for the deliciousness of the tarts!) and Angie Brzycki mentioned a few restaurants in her post on the  Minatogawa Area, but today I want to talk about another eatery: Rich Epi. This little gem has, quite possibly, one of the best curries I have had on island!

Located on Michigan Street of the Old Military Housing area, Rich Epi is opposite Casa Machilda, which is a darling wooden toy shop that is a perfect place to take the kids for a play before heading here for lunch!

The cafe is light and welcoming and the staff, while they only spoke a little English, were all friendly and went out of their way to help us understand the menu options– which are displayed on an iPad.

For lunch they only do a set (salad+main+drink=980 Yen) but you have four options for your main: chicken, meat (I think beef), a curry (which had meat in it but I am not sure if it was beef or pork) and, I believe, a fish option. On weekdays they also have a pasta option.

They do a kids set (780 yen) which contains fruit, curly fries, a small salad, a deep fried ravioli and rice with a tomato based mild curry; we got one to share between my girls (aged 2 & 5) and it was the perfect amount. They both devoured it, so it must have been good. I should also mention that while they welcomed children, I didn’t notice that they had any highchairs, but I also didn’t ask for one.

My husband ordered the chicken and I settled on the curry; they were both fantastic but we agreed the curry was lick-the-plate-clean good, even our oldest agreed!

We have yet to return to try out dinner but looking at their website it looks amazing; lots of pasta & seafood (and all reasonably priced) and they also serve adult drinks…I am thinking this might the location of our next date night!

Hours: Lunch: 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Cafe Hours: 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Dinner: 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Last order: 9:00 p.m.

CLOSED Mondays and the 1st & 3rd Tuesday of ever month

Phone: 098-943-1713

Address: 2 Chome-12-7 Minatogawa, Urasoe-shi, Okinawa-ken 901-2134, Japan

Directions: From Kadena Gate 1

• Turn left on 58, heading south
• Continue on 58 for 9.7 km
• You will see a large glass building called Yamada Denki Techland Urasoe on your right, and that is where you should turn left.
• Drive about 250 meters and make another left turn.
• Casa Machilda will be on your left and Rich Epi will be on your right

Additional notes from a reader: Driving south, you’ll pass the entrance to Kinser on your right. Take a left at the third light after the Kinser intersection. There will be a Kanehide on the right (green sign with two orange birds on it). When you take the left at the light there’ll be a ramp with a painted white wall and that will take you down into the Minotogawa neighborhood.

Coordinates: 26.2633063, 127.71650369999998

Website: www.richepi.com

CONTRIBUTED BY ALLI MARTIN

If you ever drive the 330, then you have definitely seen this crepe restaurant- whether you know it or not! It’s small and located in the Plaza House Shopping Center, but it’s there! Le Village Galette en Crepe is a cute little place with a delicious menu. The full menu is served at dinner and includes pasta and other main dishes, the lunch menu is more limited, but fortunately, both menus include crepes!

Le Village reminds me of a café you would find in France, complete with rouge accents and wine displays. There are very few tables in the restaurant, but we did not have a problem snagging one of them during lunch.

The only real problem is that the full menu is in Japanese and the staff does not speak much English. Of course Okinawans are more than wiling to overcome the language barrier, so it’s not a hard work around. The dinner special menu is in English, so that’s a plus. The menu itself is adorable. Almost like a scrapbook:

We ordered two crepes: the first was a savory option with the lunch special, and the other was a dessert crepe. If you have never had a crepe, it’s similar to a very thin pancake, made of flour. They had options for regular white flour crepes or buckwheat flour crepe. We tried buckwheat with the savory crepe and regular white flour for the dessert crepe.

The lunch special came with an appetizer of yummy chicken salad, a side of pickled carrots, potato soup, and a drink. The savory crepe we chose had mushrooms, pancetta, egg and tomato. The dessert crepe had strawberries, ice cream and whipped cream. The dessert crepe was delicious, I preferred it to the savory crepe – but maybe that’s because it had ice cream!

Hours: Lunch 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Dinner 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Closed Thursdays.

Phone: 81 98-930-5882

Payment: Yen Only

Address: 3 Chome-1-9 Kubota, Okinawa-shi, Okinawa-ken 904-0023, Japan

Directions:

From Camp Foster:

Exit the Legion gate and turn Left on the 330

Follow this road up to where the Aeon mall is

Plaza House Shopping Center will be on the right hand side past the mall.

From Kadena:

Exit Gate 2 and make a right on the 330

Take the 330 down and you will see Plaza House Shopping Center on the left

It is before you hit the big Aeon mall

There is a large orange sign for the Shopping Center with several other restaurants and shops.

Coordinates: 26.319522, 127.79371809999998

CONTRIBUTED BY KACEY A.

As if you needed another reason to love Okinawa, the abundance of quality bakeries on the island is unbelievable. Add Imai Pain to that list.

Located near Shuri Castle and Shikinaen Gardens, if you find yourself in the eastern part of Naha, do your tastebuds a f(l)avor and stop in for some treats. Whether it’s savory or sweet baked goods you fancy, your needs will be met.

The variety of items at Imai Pain is incredible. Baguettes, curry bread, sweet, savory tarts, chiffon cakes and even deli style sandwiches on the cutest little rolls. They even have pre-made gift packs ready to go with macaroons, biscotti, and more. The staff is extremely friendly and happy to have new customers, the owner/baker even came out from the kitchen to thank us for coming. So go, eat bread and cake, and be merry. That’s an order!

Hours:

Phone: 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. (Closed Holidays)

Payment: Yen

Address: 12-4 Maaji Naha, Okinawa Prefecture 902-0072 Japan

Coordinates: 26.207339, 127.715352

Website: http://imaipain.ti-da.net/

Facebook: Imai Pain

Instagram: @imaipain_okinawa

CONTRIBUTED BY KACEY A.

Guys! I found a really awesome coffee shop that you need to check out! It was just opened on June 22nd by a young couple who have great style and personality. Sakura and Tarou not only make you feel welcome in their new shop, but they brew a great cup of coffee. They open at 7am (7AM!!!!!), do take-out, and offer four versions of dutch baby pancakes. If that isn’t enough for you, they have both indoor and outdoor seating AND a hammock!

It’s tucked just far enough off of 330 to be away from the hustle and bustle, and is surrounded by beautiful trees and plants and is even accessorized by a sleepy calico cat. Go, tell them Okinawa Hai sent you, and enjoy your caffeine buzz!

***They currently offer dutch pancakes (the first I’ve found on the island) and a toast set. They plan to expand their food menu to include items like panini and french toast.

Hours: 7:00 a.m. to  7 p.m. Daily

Phone Number: 098-923-3723

Payment: Yen and dollars (with plans to accept credit cards in the near future)

Address: #11 588 Zukeran-Kitanakagusuku Village, Okinawa 901-2317

GPS Coordinates: 26.309123, 127.781229

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MotherCoffee

CONTRIBUTED BY: THE THIRSTY SHISA

I finally made it over to the new Aeon Rycom Mall and quickly made a beeline for the Orion Beer Hall. This wasn’t necessarily easy to do though as the Beer Hall is located outside of the mall in a separate “village” area so navigating my way over there was a little tricky. After about three laps on the second floor and two informational pamphlets, I managed to track this place down.

The Orion Beer Hall is located inside of the Orion Beer Terrace in Village B of the mall. There are 3 other restaurants inside of the complex. The interior of the restaurant is quite nice and bright. It features a lot of beer memorabilia and plenty of seating. The bar was very attractive with the wooden Orion barrel décor and they have six of their own beers on tap.

Since I had worked up quite a thirst by this point, I ordered up an Orion Natsu Ichiban. It was your typical American style lager with crisp golden hue, slightly darker than that of regular Orion. The flavor was very malty and it satisfied my thirst.

The food selection was very impressive! I wasn’t sure what types of food I was going to encounter here but there was a wide range of both American and Okinawan favorites. I ordered the spicy Chicago-style pizza since the picture in the menu looked amazing.

The pizza was pretty good, but I have had better pizza on the island at some of the local cafes. The chorizo tasted more like a sloppy joe and the presence of potatoes in the pizza caught me off guard. It was still tasty but next time, I will order differently. The appetizers selection looks very good and I am looking forward to trying their sausage sampler on my next visit.

Overall, the Orion Beer Hall is a nice place to relax with a beer when you need to escape the craziness of the crowded mall. The staff is very friendly and atmosphere is casual and fun. Their menu features a wide range of food and the bar has several choices of their own Orion beers on tap.

HOURS: Open daily– 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Last Order: 10:30 p.m.

PHONE: 098-982-2067

PAYMENT: Yen, Credit Cards

ADDRESS: 418 Kishaba, Kitanakagusuku-son, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa-ken 901-2311, Japan

DIRECTIONS: 1^st floor of Village B of the Aeon Rycom Mall.

WEBSITE: http://www.create-restaurants.co.jp/shop/index.php

FOR MORE DETAILED DIRECTIONS ON HOW TO GET TO THE AEON RYCOM MALL PLEASE VISIT THIS PAGE.

CONTRIBUTED BY SHANNON R.

While driving aimlessly though the winding streets of Okinawa, we stumbled upon this awesome little café. There is a park directly across the street with several parking spots.

When we arrived, we were able to choose to sit inside or on the balcony. It was just after 11 a.m., so we were able to sit outside comfortably, but I wouldn’t recommend it much later in the day. The café is situated high up on a hillside overlooking Mihama American Village. (No matter how many time we see it, the kids are always excited when we can see the Ferris Wheel!)

The sign on the outside said closed, but I took a chance and went up to the second floor. Someone came to the door immediately and apologized for the sign. Our server spoke English and interacted with my children beautifully, even when my son had a meltdown after getting something in his eye.

In addition to menu items such as hotdogs, sandwiches and brunch items, there were many items on the menu that were made of chocolate, and from what I gather it’s a bit of the cafe’s specialty. The chocolate was perfect (not super sweet like Hershey’s).

We ended up ordering 1 of each of the 4 main food items to share. They were all delicious. The portions were more like appetizers but at 500 yen a piece, it was worth it to try a little bit of everything and share plates.

There were also several types of brewed coffee from which to choose. I had the café latte (aeropress) and it was heavenly.

The second best thing about this café, (or the first best thing depending on how many children are in tow) is the park directly across the street with several parking spots. There’s also a restroom at the bottom of the hill. *Note: when we were at the park, there was a young man who walked in and out of the women’s side of the bathroom several times… with his pants down.   I got the impression that he was harmless and had no malintent towards us. (Possibly mentally disabled). But I stayed right with my kids just in case. So, I thought it would be worth mentioning in case this is the norm.

*Editor’s Note, both the hours and the address have been translated from Cafe Buho’s facebook page. If you have additional information, please feel free to comment below and we will update the post to reflect that. Thank you!

Hours: Monday to Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Phone: 098-923-2880

Payment:  Visa, American Express, Mastercard and Cash

Address: 858 Yoshihara, Chatan-chō, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa-ken 904-0105, Japan

Directions: From Kadena:

• Go out gate 1, turn left on 58
• Drive and take a left onto 85
• Drive up that road until you pass “Capital Steakhouse” and “Coco’s Curry”
• At the next stoplight, take a right
• You will follow that road for 1.5 to 2 miles until you see Café Buho on your left

Coordinates: 26.3172221, 127.77298339999993

Website: http://timelesschocolate.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/buho.okinawa/info?tab=overview

Email: info@cafebuho.com

CONTRIBUTED BY BEVERLY CHESTER

I am on a perpetual hunt for good tacos on the island. I think we can all agree there aren’t many places here that serve flavorful Mexican dishes. A new restaurant popped up within walking distance from Camp Courtney/McT called Kitchen MaGee! (The owners are so excited about their diner they included the exclamation point in the title.) It’s pretty hard to miss the location because they have it surrounded with arrows and flashing lights, plus it’s bright orange.

Since the diner is located by my favorite little farmer’s market, I stopped by Kitchen MaGee to check out their tacos. Friends, we have a winner! The tacos are spiced well and come with homemade tortillas. They are phenomenal!

The diner serves more than just tacos, but I haven’t tried anything else yet. Their prices are reasonable for the food, but be warned: don’t expect quick service if you’re ordering take-out. I have had to wait about 15 minutes each time I have ordered food to-go.

The menu is numbered so that you can order with their pre-pay machine. You insert the correct amount of Yen in the machine and press the ticket number you would like to order. The menu items are written in Japanese on the machine, but there is also a picture menu with corresponding numbers, so you can just look for the correct number and press that if you can’t read what it is.

Hours: Monday -Friday 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., but it is sometimes closed at the owner’s discretion

Phone: 098-972-5722

Payment: Yen only, pre-paid ticket machine

Address: 5 Chome-3-1 Midorimachi, Uruma-shi, Okinawa-ken 904-2215, Japan

Coordinates:  26.3766678, 127.8543555

CONTRIBUTED BY ALEX

If you have despaired over finding authentic Italian food, this review will give you new hope. For over a year, my wife and I were on a quest to find that very thing (Italian food, not hope). We tried all variety of restaurants in search of Italian food that was worth Skyping home about. Credit for our discovery of Volare must be given to my wife. She read about it on a group called Okinawa Food Critics. After hearing how numerous Italian-Americans described Volare as an authentic Italian restaurant, I was determined…our next date night was going to be there.

Every day for a week I called the restaurant to make a reservation, and every day the phone just rang and rang. We considered going somewhere else, but something urged me on (no, not perseverance, just my stomach). Finally, on Friday afternoon someone answered. We were in!

My wife and I arrived 30 minutes early to find an empty restaurant except for the chef and some soft music. The chef greeted us and let us choose our table. We sat near the kitchen for a closer view. We began to peruse the menu, which was written in Italian and Japanese. The chef asked if we spoke Italian and we chuckled. He proceeded to translate each item on the menu. Between his patient explanation and the Google Translate app, we made our selections.

First, we shared a cheese antipasto. This included five varieties of hard and soft cheeses interspersed with little pieces of dried mangoes and figs. I combined these with the bread to make little cheese sandwiches. While quite delicious, this was merely a warm up for the food to come.

With so many tasty options, we settled on three main dishes to share. Don’t judge; my wife is pregnant and eating for two. Anyway, our choices were gorgonzola penne, four cheese pizza, and black truffle tagliatelle. All three were amazing! I also ordered a glass of red wine, which is practically a requirement when having Italian food. And get this…the wine was served at room temperature. Let me say that again, my wine was served at room temperature! After over a year on Okinawa, I have only found one other local restaurant that serves red wine properly.

I would love to expound on how each bite of pasta melted in my mouth and made me feel like I had been transported to Italy, but my three boys are awake and I’m not really a food critic anyway. I just love good food, especially Italian.

A few final thoughts…the chef/owner, Pietro, was curious how we heard about his restaurant (about 90% of his customers are Japanese). After my wife told him how hard it was to find online, we asked if he would be up for having more American customers. His reply was a resounding “yes,” and so we said we would tell others about his restaurant. But here’s a tip:  get your translate app ready for the menu! I almost forgot…the reason no one answered the phone all week was because Pietro was on vacation in Italy with his family. On that note, I would bring my kids to Volare, but not on the weekend for dinner. Buon appetito!

Hours: 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. (last order) and 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. (last order). Recommend calling beforehand.

Phone: +81 98-963-7747

Payment: Yen or USD. No credit cards. My bill for the above was less than $50!

Address: 2 Chome-7-12 Akamine, Naha, Okinawa Prefecture 901-0154, Japan

Directions: Head South on Hwy 58 (towards the Naha Airport). Continue past the off ramp for the airport without exiting. Turn left on Hwy 221 (with the elevated railway). Turn left at the first light. Volare is on the left hand side before the light (second story).

Coordinates: 26.195247, 127.66142579999996

Website: http://volare.ti-da.net

CONTRIBUTED BY: HIRO AKO

If you think finding authentic Italian food in Okinawa is a rather difficult task, if not impossible, I have an answer for you: Corrente.

Corrente is an Italian restaurant located inside the Hilton hotel in Chatan. My friends and I went there for dinner because I had heard that it was exceptional, which is certainly true of the food but also the atmosphere. They offer various course meals, stone oven baked pizzas, and an a la carte menu of traditional to modern Italian cuisine. The wine list was substantial and covered regions of Italy, France, Australia and the States. They also have a wide variety of cocktail drinks ranging from the very basics to their original mixology drinks.

Corrente has done a great job in making the atmosphere very elegant with its chic furniture and great view of the pool and the garden.

The main dining area was set with well spaced tables and romantic lighting, yet the room was not too dim as each table had a lamp that provided just the right amount of light to see the dishes. It’s a very relaxed environment and is perfect for couples and families.

They rotate course meals every season and this time I decided to try out the “Napoli Set Menu” (6,500 yen).

The cold capellini with eggplant “Aglo Dolce” definitely set a promising tone. The tomato sauce was unexpectedly flavorful and paired up perfectly with the eggplant. Even more thrilling was the freshly hand made angel hair pasta that was perfectly cooked to the right texture.

The swordfish confit was served with molasses sauce and garnished with dill and onions. The swordfish was sweet and lightly cooked, while the garnish and the sauce brought an interesting extra dimension to the dish.

Fettuccine with braised Okinawa pork was another tomato based pasta but was creamier than the capellini. The pasta texture was, again, superb. I was truly impressed: the pork was outstanding, the sauce lovely and the pasta flawless.

The last main dish was the roasted veal tenderloin with lemon pepper and was served with artichoke puree, asparagus, zucchini and ricotta cheese sauce. The veal was cooked to perfection with a hint of salt and lemon pepper bringing out the sweetness of the veal but the ricotta cheese sauce as well as the artichoke puree added nothing to me.

The dessert Baba looked very promising with whipped cream overflowing from the pastry but did not live up to the expectation. The creme was tasty, very light and had the right amount of sweetness, and the fruit component added the zest and acidity that enhanced the flavor of the creme. It would have been good if it ended there, but the problem came with the cake. To me this cake was just bread soaked in rum. I wanted it to have a bit more texture and bite to the cake. It is a traditional Italian dessert so it must be made the right way but soggy cake is a no-no for me.

Overall, I had a pleasant experience at Corrente. The service was splendid, waitress very attentive and each dish arrived at the right pace. My friends ordered other courses and an a la carte dish off the menu and they were each very happy with their meal as well. The dishes were simple, yet tasty, and gorgeously arranged making it memorable.

Corrente at the Hilton:

Hours: Lunch time: 11:30 a.m. ~ 3:00 p.m.

Dinner time: 5:30 p.m. ~ 10:00 p.m. (last order 9:30 p.m.)

Bar time: 5:30 p.m. ~ 11:30 p.m. (bar food last order 10:30 p.m. Bar drink last order 11:00 p.m.)

Phone: 098-901-1130

Payment: Accepts major credit cards and Yen

Address: 40-1 Mihama, Chatan-chō, Okinawa Prefecture 904-0115

*Located on the 1st floor of Hilton Okinawa Chatan Resort.

Coordinates: 26.3184248, 127.75473160000001

Website: hiltonchatan.jp/restaurants/

CONTRIBUTED BY ANNA WISHERD

Khrua Thai is probably my favorite restaurant on the island. Living on Camp Courtney, and with the restaurant conveniently located across the street from the main gate, it’s a place that we frequent regularly.

First off, the ladies here are absolutely the sweetest. The owner and her staff provide excellent customer service from the second you step through their door. They also speak great English, so phoning in your take-out order is a breeze if you’re not able to dine in!

The place is quaint with only about 5 or 6 tables, so they can get pretty busy during dinnertime, particularly on Friday and Saturday evenings. The menu is in English, with a description of each dish for easy ordering. The place was busy this Wednesday evening, so I opted not to take a picture of their seating area… because really, who wants some strange lady standing in the middle of a restaurant snapping pictures as you’re stuffing your face with pad thai?

For appetizers, I have tried all 5 items on their menu. The Thai fresh spring rolls are my absolute favorite, but unfortunately, they are only available on Saturdays. For a while there, I was coming every Saturday to get them! If you plan to order them be sure to come in or call before 5 p.m. because they usually run out by that time. For selfish reasons, I almost didn’t want to mention anything about this yummy goodness because they are addictive! But if you can’t get in for the fresh spring rolls, don’t worry: the papaya salad, fried spring rolls, cucumber salad, and Khrua Thai chicken are all delicious in their own right!

We have tried the panang curry and garlic chicken and are both very tasty, but my favorite entrée is their pad thai. I will usually request both chicken and shrimp in this dish… trust me, the extra cost is worth it! The basil stir fry and fried rice are my husband’s favorite. The portions are perfect and most of the time we’ll order different dishes to share among friends.

With most of their dishes, you have the option to choose between chicken, pork, beef, or for an extra 100 yen can opt for the shrimp. They give you options for spice levels between 1-4 (1 a touch of spice, 2 medium, 3 spicy, 4 very spicy). Main entrees come with a side of rice. They also have a small kid’s menu. Be sure to try their Thai Tea, which I get every time I am there! This place is undoubtedly worth a try and I know you will not leave disappointed.

Hours: : Open Tuesday-Saturday 11-2:30 for lunch and 4-8:30pm for dinner.

Closed Sunday and Mondays.

Phone: 098-972-5756

Payment: Yen, Dollar, Credit Card

Address:  1462 Uruma Shi AZA Tengan Okinawa, Japan 904-220

(Across from Camp Courtney Main Gate)

Directions: 

From Kadena Gate 2:

• Go straight out the gate and make a left on the 330
• The 330 will eventually turn into the 75 and you will continue for several more miles
• Once you pass the 224 intersection, continue straight for just a short distance and you will see the Main Gate to Camp Courtney on the right and Khrua Thai on the left
• Their sign is not big (as you can see above), but it is just a few doors down from Creative Minds School (their sign is huge, so you shouldn’t miss it).

From the Expressway:

• Take Exit 5 and proceed straight after the toll and stop light, making sure to stay on the 36
• After several miles, make a left turn on the 75
• Once you pass the 224 intersection, continue straight and you will see the Main Gate to Camp Courtney on the right and Khrua Thai on the left.

There are lots of back roads and side roads that would likely make the drive shorter, but I decided to keep to the main roads to keep it simple and easy.

Coordinates: 26.3882362, 127.85538599999995

Parking: There are about 3 small parking spots located directly in front of the restaurant. If you pass the restaurant and turn left into the second driveway entrance, there is a small dirt/gravel lot for extra parking. You’ll see a peach/orange colored apartment building with blocks labeled THAI in front of the spots.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Khrua-Thai-Okinawa-Restaurant/171043262923763?fref=ts

CONTRIBUTED BY KACEY A.

Coffee roasteries have been getting very popular here in Okinawa, especially to the general public. Okinawa Cerrado Coffee has been in business for over 25 years and opened a retail shop in Minatogawa in early 2015. The owner, Narihito Sueyoshi, is very friendly, makes a great brew, and is extremely efficient at his job.

Narihito-san truly enjoys coffee and sharing his love of the beverage with other people. You can buy beans whole or ground, drinks to stay or for take away, and purchase some great coffee accessories while you’re there. Okinawa Cerrado Coffee even offers coffee bean delivery service (for Japanese addresses), so you’ll never run out of your favorite blends.

The beans come from all over the world: Rwanda, Indonesia, Mexico, Costa Rica. My personal favorite is the Cerrado Blend, made of five different beans, which I buy whole and bring home. If you are unsure of what bean suits your taste, Narihito-san will gladly help guide you through the varieties.

Hours: 12:00 – 18:30 Closed Tuesdays, Thursday, Holidays

Phone: 0120-447-442

Payment: Yen Only

Address: 2 Chome-15-5 Minatogawa, Urasoe-shi, Okinawa-ken 901-2134

Coordinates: 26.263209, 127.715534

Parking: On site, limited. Street parking also available.

Website: http://beansstore.jp/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/okinawacerradocoffeee

Instagram: @okinawacerradocoffee

Blog: http://okinawaserado.ti-da.net/

CONTRIBUTED BY MINDY MORRIS

Every once in a while I get a certain craving for the type of high end restaurant you find back in the States. Don’t get me wrong, I love both the food and restaurant style of this island. I have found some of the best curries, sushi and even pizza in hole in the wall locations scattered all over Okinawa, but sometimes I miss a cultivated wine list and a glass of red that is not served chilled.

Roy’s is located on the fifth floor “Sky Diner” of the Aeon Rycom Mall, and on my first visit , which fell during café hours between 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., we were dressed as such. Shorts and tanks are no problem at this Hawaiian-fusion chain. The second time, since we were going for dinner, I slipped on a long skirt, but I could easily have gotten away with getting more dressed up. By my third visit I was pretty thrilled to have found a restaurant where I didn’t feel over dressed in heels. Although the dress code is considered casual (this is still Okinawa we’re talking about) the vibe is one of casual elegance.

The dining room is bright, with two full walls of windows, beautiful wood paneling, and Hawaiian décor. The lighting is also very modern and adds to the refinement of the room with giant overlapping circular chandeliers at varying heights. Every evening there is a live pianist that plays tunes that are both soft and familiar. This added touch made our dinner feel like a special occasion. As much as I loved the dining room, I’m planning to make a reservation outside the next time I go. The view from this fifth floor balcony rivals any view I’ve seen of this beautiful island.

Both service and presentation are exquisite here, which is exactly what you would expect if you have ever dined at a Roy’s Hawaii before. Our waitress was delightful, spoke both English and Japanese, and was very knowledgeable about the menu and drink selection.

The first Roy’s opened its doors in 1988 in Waikiki as the Hawaiian-fusion brainchild of celebrity chef Roy Yamaguchi. In the years since, the Roy’s chain has spread to over 30 new locations, and in April opened shop in Okinawa. This new location pays homage to Yamaguchi’s Okinawan mother by incorporating traditional Okinawan cooking styles, with a special nod to local cuisine.

On my second visit, we met at the bar where everyone (except me) tried Roy’s signature local pineapple infused martini. I ended up getting a dirty martini because I’m not usually a fan of sweet drinks, but after tasting the pineapple martini regretted my decision. My friend Kacey and I agreed that while we could appreciate the complexity of the pineapple drink, the 1,000 yen price tag was an instant turn off.

One thing I did really like was that as soon as I’d ordered a drink at the bar, I was also served my own dish of edamame which was deliciously coated in a sweet and salty shichimi seasoning. When we moved to our table they immediately brought additional dishes of edamame for us to share. What a refreshing alternative to a bread basket!

We ordered a variety of appetizers including the lobster gyoza, Mongolian BBQ ribs, dynamite baked oysters and kai style crab cakes. Everything was good, but the lobster gyoza was unforgettable. The ribs were generous portions of fall-off-the-bone perfection. The oysters, though my favorite in presentation, were just okay, in my opinion. Crab cakes are crab cakes, always good. Roy’s take on this favorite is light and airy and served over a lobster cream sauce which was probably my favorite part.

Next came the komatsuna salad, or kale salad, depending on which version of the menu you are looking at. However, all of my dining companions agree that to call it a kale salad cheats it out of the recognition it deserves. There are three types of kale in the salad including one that has been flash fried and is so good I’ve found myself craving it since. Not something I have ever said about kale before. *When kale is unavailable they substitute other local greens. I’ve had both versions now, and love them equally. 

As mains, we split the Vietnamese-style lamb chops and the misoyaki butterfish. I took a very small portion of the lamb, as I’m not always a big fan, but I was pleasantly surprised. It didn’t have the strong taste that mutton often has and was also more tender than I expected. As for the butterfish (black cod), I am always disappointed when I taste a dish like this on my first visit to a restaurant. I know that I should try other things on the menu, but that butterfish was so melt-in-your-mouth delicious, that I can’t imagine ever going back without ordering the same. It was probably the best meal I have ordered in Okinawa and it’s the only thing we ordered that I wished I didn’t have to share.

For dessert we split the chocolate soufflé, served with vanilla ice cream and Roy’s signature pineapple upside down cake, served with macadamia nut ice cream. As soon as you cut into the chocolate soufflé dark chocolate oozes out like lava. I bartered with my seatmate to let me eat her half of the chocolate soufflé, as she found it a little bit too rich, but I couldn’t get enough. I promised her my half of the pineapple upside cake, but when it arrived, I found myself stealing bites of that buttery deliciousness as well. It’s worth noting that if you plan to indulge in one of these baked desserts, it would behoove you to order it as soon as you get your meal, as they take about 25 minutes to prepare. We sipped on dessert martinis while we waited, and all agreed they were decadent enough to be considered dessert on their own.

My third visit was a date night. This time, I ordered Roy’s martini. Lesson learned.

As predicted, I ordered the butterfish again– but this time I was pleased to be able to order it as part of a set menu, something the restaurant just added this month.. The butterfish set was 4,000 yen and included a salad; three appetizers: the crab cake, one rib and tuna poke; butterfish entree with rice; and a dessert of your choice. Naturally I chose the chocolate souffle. My husband ordered the “Frying Dragon Roll” and the “Trio of Treasures” which comes with small portions of the butterfish, salmon and tuna. At only 2,400 yen this felt like a steal!

The only downside of Roy’s is that it is a little pricier than a lot of the dinner spots on island, but you absolutely get what you pay for, both with the atmosphere and the quality of food and drinks. The total price of our “date night” meal (pictured above), including drinks, was 10,600 yen.

If you want to enjoy Roy’s, but don’t want to pay for it, check out their lunch menu, with sets ranging from 1,300 – 2,500 yen. At dinner, entree prices range from 1,750 to 5,500 yen. The butterfish was 3,000 yen alone, but only 4,000 yen if you order the set, and let me tell you… it was well worth every yen.

I’ve added Roy’s to my go-to list for date nights and out of town guests that want to visit somewhere a little more upscale with a view, and I’ll pull the “Roy’s mother is Okinawan” card if they give me a hard time about taking them to a chain.

Hours: Lunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m, Café 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Dinner 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Phone: 098-923-3002

Payment: All major credit cards and yen

Location: 5^th Floor Sky Diner Aeon Rycom Mall

Mall Address: Japan, 〒901-2305 Okinawa-ken, Nakagami-gun, Kitanakagusuku-son, Higa 県道85号線

From Kadena Gate 1

• Head south on 58 and then turn left onto 23
• Turn right onto 85
• Right before the mall you cross 330.
• The mall will be clearly visible from that intersection.

Coordinates: 26.314286238611693, 127.79647502090143

Directions:  Aeon Mall Okinawa Rycom is located near the intersection of 85 and 330.

From Kadena Gate 1

• Head south on 58 and then turn left onto 23
• Turn right onto 85
• Right before the mall you cross 330.
• The mall will be clearly visible from that intersection.

Coordinates: 26.314286238611693, 127.79647502090143

Website: http://roys-okinawa.com/

CONTRIBUTED BY ERIN GODDARD

I want to live at Ametsuchi Terrace! It has everything bohemian I could every imagine needing or drooling over: rugs from Morocco, Thai dresses, organic soaps, delicious coffee AND (let’s be honest, the real reason we love it) HAMMOCKS to relax in!

Amidst the wild bustle of the new Rycom Mall, Earth Hammock Cafe is a quiet oasis set apart in its own serene building. It is where you go after a harried afternoon of shopping to breathe, drink a glass of brown sugar lemonade, and swing in the shade. 

The building is made up of the store, Cayhane, which sells everything from clothes and shoes to organic bath and body products to housewares and toys. They have a lot of local brands as well as bags, clothes and jewelry from Thailand, Nepal and India. You can spend hours in this store and still find a nook or cranny that you missed! It is filled with color and light (and driftwood…there’s a whole tree made out of driftwood in the middle).

The other place in the building is the Earth Hammock Cafe which is nestled in the back.With its bean bag chairs, hammocks, books and eclectic decor, it is a perfect hideaway. It even has a trampoline (and as a mother of 2, this is a life saver)!

The cafe uses local sources like Okinawa brown sugar (for its brown sugar lemonade), Kuma-Jima Island salt (in its salted soft serve ice cream AND the popcorn uses it too), and Nihede beer!*

Here’s the skinny on what to do: You order at the small counter before entering the cafe (they have an English menu) and receive a wooden number.  You then go through the string curtain and wait for your food by the back counter.  After you get your order, you can go out to the hammocks and enjoy!

Note: It is one order per person.  This means that even if your child is 5, they still need to order something to enter the cafe. I also had my 1 year old but they were not concerned with him. Also, the trampoline has a little box for donations (100 yen).

I highly recommend the malasadas (a delicious Hawaiian donut), the brown sugar lemonade, the organic coffee, and the “Clap Your Hands” popcorn. (Yep, it’s called Clap Your Hands!)

Happy hammocking!

Ametsuchi Terrace: EARTH HAMMOCK CAFE and CAYHANE

Location:  AEON Mall Okinawa Rycom (2nd floor, in a separate building on the East side (Pacific Ocean side) of the mall, near The Orion Brewery)

Phone:  098-930-7850

Hours: Everyday, 10:00 to 22:00

Mall Address: Japan, 〒901-2305 Okinawa-ken, Nakagami-gun, Kitanakagusuku-son, Higa 県道85号線

From Kadena Gate 1

• Head south on 58 and then turn left onto 23
• Turn right onto 85
• Right before the mall you cross 330.
• The mall will be clearly visible from that intersection.

Coordinates: 26.314286238611693, 127.79647502090143

*credit to: Akari Matsumura, Okinawa Clip

CONTRIBUTED BY ANDREW FINK

I actually stumbled across this gem the day after it officially opened a couple months ago, summer of 2015. Just a lucky find when I was out adventuring on the southeast corner of Ikei Island. The Greek food is amazing! The menu is simply the “Meze” set course for the day for 2,000 yen.

“Meze” defined: “Unlike appetizers, which are intended to whet the appetite for the meal to come, it is common for Greek groups of family and friends to gather or go out for “mezethes”, share several of these delightful dishes, a drink, conversation and laughter. The plates are shared by everyone at the table, which not only provides a wonderful variety of flavor and texture sensations, but also creates the kind of happy, convivial atmosphere for which Greeks are well known.”

If there is anything you don’t care for or are allergic to, make sure to let Pamela know when you arrive so she can modify the menu. If you call her ahead of time with that information, it will help her prepare even better (080-8566-0802). Also, calling ahead with your party size and estimated time of arrival will also help her prepare food adequate for your group! If you are interested in purchasing food to take home, like Pamela’s deliciously homemade feta, try to give her a couple of days notice.

The daily “Meze” course usually includes fresh bread and/or pita, dipping sauces, humus, and lots of other treats. A salad is almost always in the mix along with grilled chicken, pork, and/or squid. Pamela makes everything from scratch, from her feta and yogurt to her pita and dips. Oh, and don’t forget the dessert and frappe to complement, delicious! Drinks come with the meal, to include 1 alcoholic drink (there is a limited drink menu, so complicated drink orders may not be possible…), but if you want to have anything specific, make sure to request it in advance… The service is done by the owner/chef Pamela and her teenage children. The place is family style for eating, experience and pretty much every aspect you can think of!

Pamela has an incredible story of how she ended up cooking Greek food in Okinawa, but I’ll let her tell the story when you visit. Once you step into her place, you will feel like you are home. Her place is actually two converted shipping containers welded together, but the décor and finished product is quite comfortable!   A breeze flows right through the place so the absence of air conditioning isn’t a big concern. Oh, and huge plus, the beaches really close to the restaurant are amazing!!!

Hours: 

Wednesday-Saturday: 12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (last order is 9pm, but they will stay open later)

Sunday: 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.  (last order is 4pm, close up before 5pm to go make cheese!)

Closed Monday and Tuesday

Phone:  080-8566-0802 (owner’s cell, Pamela)

Payment: Yen only. No credit cards or USD.

Address: 7 Ikei Yonashiro Uruma City, Okinawa 904-2421 Japan

Directions: (From Kadena Gate 2)

• Take highway 85 north 2km, take a right on highway 75
• Highway 75 for 5km to the bottom of the hill, take a left on highway 20/33 (it has both numbers)
• Highway 20/33 for 4km until it ends at a T-intersection, right on highway 37
• Highway 37 for 3km, then take a left on hwy 10 and follow that main road all the way out to Ikei island.
• Once on Ikei island, follow the blue and white signs for: “Little Greek Kitchen”

Coordinates: 26.3830394, 127.9967759

Website: http://www.littlegreekkitchen.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/littlegreekkitchenokinawa

CONTRIBUTED BY C.S.

I think this is one of my favorite cafes on island. It’s not too far from Araha beach, but it’s just far enough to feel like you have gotten away from the crowd. Nestled between homes and apartments near the water treatment plant at the end of the seawall, Palmetto has a charming ocean view. I often come here to read, study or chat with friends. The atmosphere is warm and accommodating, and the staff is really friendly too!

The cafe is really big on sandwiches. They offer a selection of paninis, grilled cheese and a wide variety of other sandwiches. Most sandwiches come with soup and salad and you get to pick your own bread (brown sugar bread, bagel or ciabatta bread, then the fulling options. Where else on island can you find a full selection of grilled cheese sandwiches? The restaurant is quite kid friendly, offering a kids menu, booster chairs, a changing station and wipes for baby.

My favorite sandwich is the Palmetto burger; it’s perfectly thick and juicy. I also love their breakfast menu… plus the ketchup smile makes always makes me smile.

I have tried the vanilla milk shake and must say it was one of the best I have ever had…EVER! The cappuccino, teas and lattes are also very good. They also sell baked goods, including granola and cutely decorated cookies (I love the Christmas ones).

Outside seating is available and is dog friendly. One of the selling points for me is the free Wi-Fi. I had yet to find a cafe with everything I love, until I discovered this one!

Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Sundays 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Phone:  098-989-5751

Payment: Yen only. Soon to sell gift cards!

Address: 1 Chome-16-9 Kitamae Chatan, Nakagami District, Okinawa Prefecture

Directions: From Gate 1 Kadena, go south towards naha on 58. Take a right at Hamby town San-A shopping mall, and then take your first left at the fork in the rd. Continue down the road (same rd. that Araha Beach is on), then take a right when you see Alaha Dental Clinic, and tan apartment complex. Go down and then take a left, and Palmetto is to the left.

Coordinates: 26.2984709, 127.75842110000008

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Palmetto-Cafe/776564119030634

CONTRIBUTED BY KACEY A.

I have a lot of favorites on this island, and Kramp Coffee Store is one of them. As usual with the places I frequent, the atmosphere is clean, peaceful, and happy. The staff is personable, friendly and thankful for your patronage. The food and drinks are made to order, tasty and strong. So let’s talk details.

Kramp Coffee Store serves hot & cold coffee, juices and sodas. This includes, but is not limited to espresso, pour overs, Americanos, lattes, mochas, smoothies and melon cream soda. They also have a variety of ways to have your drip coffee brewed: chemex kone, aeropress or their famous Hario V60 drip. The last is my favorite. I also think it’s the strongest drink they have and will leave you with coffee jitters that you’ll crave regularly. Not for the faint of heart.

The beans come from Costa Rica and Indonesia, and are roasted by Ogawa Coffee Kyoto. If I’m wanting to add a little more ‘splurge’ to my morning than a drip coffee, their cafe latte is the best I’ve had in years.On my most recent visit I tried their breakfast plate for ¥450. It includes slow, slow, SLOW cooked scrambled eggs (you know, the kind that are naturally creamy and moist), a mixed green salad, toast and warm mashed potatoes. If that doesn’t suit your fancy, they also offer a sandwich, french toast and a variety of homemade sweets that are available all day.

A bonus for me is that humans 12 years old and under are not permitted. While some people may find this a bummer, I’d imagine that both parents and child-free adults cherish their quiet, uninterrupted coffee time. I appreciate the coffee shops straightforwardness on this subject.

Hours: Saturday – Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Closed Fridays.

Phone:  098-938-0833

Payment: Yen

Address: 5 Chome-32-2 Awase, Okinawa, Okinawa Prefecture 904-2172, Japan

Coordinates: 26.322443, 127.829773

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/krampcoffeestore

CONTRIBUTED BY ORLANDO ANAYA

{Click Photo for Source}

If you are like me and love a great steak, Taiyo Steakhouse is the place for you. I have now been there for dinner with my family and my buddy Mark three times and I can tell you that this restaurant is unlike any in Okinawa. Walking in you can immediately see the difference, the place looks nothing like its predecessor, the Lanai. Every aspect of this restaurant has been revamped to offer a great American style steakhouse experience and in my opinion they deliver.

As we walked in, we were immediately greeted by a well-dressed and amicable host who understands the importance of first impressions. As we were escorted to our table, the staff was warm and welcoming, almost like they were rolling out the red carpet for our arrival. During two of my visits, I had the pleasure of meeting the restaurant manager who was also very warm and welcoming. He clearly sets the example for his staff. As we got to our table and were promptly seated, we quickly realized that although there were other patrons around us, the furniture is set up in a way that we felt a great sense of intimacy and privacy. It’s a welcome change from the busy and crowded restaurants we have come to know here in Okinawa.

The menu selections are right up there with any menu that we would find at a top steakhouse back in the States like Ruth Chris, Morton’s or Charlie’s Steakhouses. The steaks are prime beef; the seafood is fresh, and the bread, freshly baked served with two different types of butter, is delicious. Every time I’ve been there, I’ve had the 12 oz. fillet (Yes! 12 oz. and cooked to a perfect medium-rare) with a delicious mushroom and peppercorn sauce and a side of vegetables. I also ordered the lobster bisque soup (which is exquisite with nice chunks of lobster in it), and a bottle of Italian Barolo. The one they carry happens to be one of my favorites (I may or may not have kept the whole bottle to myself).

I can tell you that without a doubt, the lobster bisque and the filet were both excellent. As good as you could find anywhere. I am looking forward to trying the rack of lamb next time I go; I’ve heard nothing but good things about it.

My wife has had the 14 oz. boneless ribeye steak and the seafood pasta on her two visits. The ribeye was good, but I would recommend the bone-in ribeye over the boneless.

The seafood pasta was my wife’s favorite! The pasta had very generous amounts of lobster, crab, and scallops. The scallops, the manager informed us, are flown in from Tokyo and they were massive! I am a lover of scallops and these were great! For appetizers, I would recommend them all. The crab cake was the first we tried and it was good, but the calamari, beef carpaccio and shrimp cocktail were my favorites.

For dessert, they feature six or seven excellent desserts: crème brulee, molten lava cake, chocolate mousse just to name a few. We have tried five of them and all were excellent. Watch out though, the cold orange liquor soufflé may throw you for a loop if you’re used to a traditional warm soufflé. If you like rich decadent chocolate the chocolate mousse is just that.
The service is also excellent. The wait staff is attentive, incredibly nice and does a great job. We brought out three year old daughter and she loved their children’s menu, although I have to warn you, if you have rambunctious children this may not be the place to take them. For those of you who are price conscious, prices are not cheap, dinner (soup, entrée, dessert) cost about $60 per person, but it’s definitely not as expensive as what you would pay at a comparable restaurant and dining experience back in the States.

There is a dress code for dinner, which is really nice given that there are really not too many places here in Okinawa where you can dress up. For lunch and breakfast the dress code is much more “laxed”. I highly recommend their Sunday brunch; their Taiyo Eggs Benedict are to die for… The poached egg, the twin fillets, the nicely toasted English muffin. They also have traditional Eggs Benedict, as well as pancakes and all of your breakfast favorites.

Overall, my experiences at Taiyo Steakhouse have been phenomenal. From the food to the staff I feel that they have always gone out of their way to make our visits a first-class experience and for that we will definitely keep going back… and often.

Hours: 

Weekend Brunch: (Reservations Recommended. Call DSN 622-2020)

Saturday & Sundays 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Lunch: Monday – Friday: 10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Dinner: (Reservations Required. Call DSN 622-2020)

Wednesday – Sunday: 6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Bar is open daily: 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.,
 Bar Bites Menu served  3:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Phone: 098-954-2020

Payment: All major credit cards accepted

Address: 〒904-2205 沖縄県沖縄市 うるま市栄野比１１８３ TAIYO GOLF CLUB 2F

Directions: (Google Maps Link)

Coordinates: 26.393897, 127.824602

Website: http://www.mccsokinawa.com/taiyosteakhouse/