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Feeling a little peckish in Ishigaki, Okinawa? Here are my top 5 picks for a quick snack on the tropical island (in alphabetical order). Scroll down for more info!

  1. Hau Tree, Gelato

  2. Kinjou Kamaboko, Kamaboko (Savoury)

  3. Mirumiru Honpo, Gelato

  4. Painushima, Cafe

  5. Sayoko No Mise, Doughnuts

Bonus: KABIRA FARM, Juice

 

Hau Tree

  • Each gelato here is created by mixing your choice of fruit and other ingredients sourced directly from local farmers, on a frozen granite stone!

  • Walk-in only

  • Website | Tabelog | Google Maps

 

Kinjou Kamaboko

  • This shop specialises in “Kamaboko”, a type of cured seafood product made with pureed and deboned wild white fish, eggs, salt, sugar, fish sauce and Japanese sake. Make sure to visit early before they sell out - they're open from 7AM daily (closed Sundays)!

  • Walk-in only

  • Website | Tabelog | Google Maps

 

Mirumiru Honpo

  • “Mirumiru” is a renowned gelato shop on Ishigaki island - their original store Southwest of the island has the most incredible views overlooking greenery and the ocean. “Half and Half” allows you to try two flavours at once, and I personally recommend the purple yam and brown sugar combo!

  • Walk-in only

  • Website | Instagram | Tabelog | Google Maps

 

Painushima

  • This cafe specialises in homemade juices, smoothies and ice candy prepared with locally sourced tropical fruits from the island, located just a few minutes from the observatory that looks out to the emerald green oceans and the Hirakubo Peninsula.

  • Walk-in only

  • Website | Instagram | Tabelog | Google Maps

 

Sayoko No Mise

  • This bakery on Ishigaki Island specialises in “Sata andagi”, which is a local variation of miniature fried donuts - each bite-size piece is only ¥60, so beware of buying too many! They prepare different flavours depending on the time, so I highly recommend visiting when they are freshly made.

  • Walk-in only (flavour available depends on time - see post below)

  • Tabelog | Google Maps


 

KABIRA FARM

  • This shop specialises in passion fruit along with other tropical fruits and are most renowned for their passion fruit juice, made with pure juice and granulated sugar, nothing else!

  • Walk-in only

  • Website | Instagram | Tabelog | Google Maps


 

Visiting the stunning tropical island of Ishigaki in Okinawa? Make sure to rent a car to check out my Top 5 picks for places to eat (in alphabetical order). Scroll down for more info!

  1. Akaishi Shokudo, Shokudo (Casual Japanese)

  2. Doug's Burger, Burgers

  3. Tofu No Higa, Tofu Breakfast

  4. Umbrella, Shokudo (Casual Japanese)

  5. Yamamoto, Yakiniku (Wagyu BBQ)

 

Akaishi Shokudo

  • This local kitchen is only open 3 days a week between Fridays and Sundays, in true Okinawa style - their signature is the “Soki Soba”, served with a large and juicy portion of pork on top of thick noodles, but personally recommend their “Katsudon” (pork cutlet on rice)

  • Walk-in only (best to queue 20 minutes before open time to avoid a long wait)

  • Website | Tabelog | Google Maps

 

Doug's Burger

  • The owner of the much-loved hamburger joint is a Tokyo-born California-resided American lawyer who had a passion for fishing. Their most popular dish is “Doug’s No Veggie Cheeseburger + LAVA Upgrade”, served with Tarama beef patty and melted mixture of 4 types of cheese (cheddar, gouda, ementaal cheese and mozzarella)

  • Walk-in only

  • Website | Tabelog | Instagram | Google Maps

 

Tofu No Higa

  • This restaurant that specialises in tofu is open from 6:30AM, so best to visit first thing in the morning to avoid disappointment as the food tends to sell out by lunchtime! The portions are humongous here, so make sure to order smaller sizes

  • Walk-in only

  • Website | Tabelog | Google Maps

 

Umbrella

  • This old-school "Shokudo" (casual Japanese restaurant) is loved by locals - their “Gyu-Soba” (beef noodles) is a signature, served with a broth that is prepared by slowly cooking Misaki Beef for 5-6 hours, with large chunks of tender "Ishigaki-Gyu" beef

  • Walk-in only

  • Tabelog | Google Maps

 

Yamamoto

  • Ishigaki island is renowned for their beef - the cattle here are grown and pampered in an amazing environment, outdoors in the sun all year round - “Yamamoto” has been selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 yakiniku spots by Tabelog, and serves the special “Ishigaki-Gyu” as well as “Agu Pork”

  • Book via phone: +81(0)980-83-5641

  • Tabelog | Google Maps


 

Making a trip to the main island of tropical Okinawa? Make sure to rent a car to check out my Top 5 picks (in alphabetical order). Scroll down for more info!

  1. BACAR, Italian

  2. Captain Kangaroo, Hamburger

  3. EIBUN, Modern Okinawa noodles

  4. Five Star Deli, Sandwiches

  5. Mexico, Tacos

 

BACAR

  • This popular Italian restaurant in Naha features locally sourced seasonal ingredients - make sure to order their signature pizzas!

  • Book via phone: +81(0)98-863-5678

  • Website | Tabelog | Instagram | Google Maps

 

Captain Kangaroo

  • This hamburger joint has been selected by Tabelog’s Top 100 Burger Spots in Japan! They moved locations in October last year - its old address is now their sister restaurant that specialises in “taco rice”, so make sure you don’t confuse the two!

  • Walk-in only

  • Facebook | Tabelog | Instagram | Google Maps

 

EIBUN

  • "EIBUN" specialises in Okinawa soba with a modern twist - they are renowned for their delicious umami-filled dashi soup that is prepared by cooking pork bones in low heat for over 8 hours!

  • Walk-in only (best to queue 20 minutes before open time to avoid a long wait)

  • Website | Tabelog | Instagram | Google Maps

 

Five Star Deli

  • This American deli in Okinawa is the closest you’ll get to the real deal, particularly popular amongst those working in the US military and their families - their Reuben sandwiches are must-tries.l

  • Walk--in only

  • Facebook | Tabelog | Instagram | Google Maps

 

Mexico

  • This Mexican restaurant in Okinawa is called - wait for it - Mexico! They have only been serving one dish here since they opened in 1977, and that’s their signature tacos.

  • Walk-in only

  • Tabelog | Instagram | Google Maps


 
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