In Ishigaki island, Okinawa, you should try famous Ishigaki food such as Ishigaki beef, Yaeyama soba (Okinawan style soba), and Okinawan dishes and sweets made with local ingredients! Here are some restaurants and cafes recommendation from me!
Ishigaki Beef at Yamamoto
This is Yakiniku place which is Japanese style bbq, you will have a small bbq grill in the center of table. They have a lot kind of meats and also seafoods. we ordered beef, pork, chicken and shrimp.
No need to say, ishigaki beef is famous. i recommend “gyu-tan” which is cow’s tongue. Put a pinch of salt and lemon, which is perfect 🙂
It was not super expensive for having Ishigaki beef, however it’s not cheap generally. We paid around ￥5000/person. Although you don’t need to pay tips in Japan so i think it’s “ok” price for great food and experience!
Yakiniku Yamamoto
Better to make a reservation but you can do it only by phone call. Ask the reception doing it for you at your hotel if needed.
Okinawan Food at Mori no Kenja
The best Izakaya in ishigaki island, in my opinion! Mori no kenja means “a wiser in forest”.
Izakaya is a Japanese style pub + restaurant where you can enjoy alcoholic beverage (non-alcoholic too, of course) and foods that match well with drinks.
Okinawan people is known for “people drink alcoholic beverage ”
Seasonal Veggies Tempura
They have seasonal menu and this is ” Tempura ” which is Japanese style fry, as you might know. They fries seasonal ishigaki veggies that you rarely find outside Okinawa.
Popular Okinawan Food
Ji-ma-mi-Doufu
Left upper, Agedashi Dofu using Ji-ma-mi-Dofu. Usually you fry tofu covered potato starch to make Agedashi dofu, and you can find this menu at many restaurants everywhere in Japan, but not the one using Ji-ma-mi-dofu unless it’s Okinawan restaurant.
Ji-ma-mi-Dofu which is Okinawan style Tofu made from peanut. It’s sweeter than tofu made by soy beans, and also a bit gooey.
Ishigaki Beef
Right upper: roasted Ishigaki beef with salad. Ishigaki beef is very tasteful, very soft, perfect balanced fat but not greasy. You can enjoy a different taste if you put mustard on it, too.
Umi budo (sea grapes)
Left: ” umi budou ” which is Caulerpa lentillifera called sea grapes, green caviar, etc.
The texture might be a bit weird for you if it’s first time for you, but you’d like it if you like Ikura (salmon roe), masago. etc.
Mori No Kenja
Luxury Lunch with Ocean View, Sea Forest
Sea Forest is a hotel with a restaurant where non-staying customer also can use. It’s located nearby Tamatorizaki Observatory, and the view from Sea Forest is awesome!
Their lunch is a course from appetizer, salad, dessert and drink, which is a bit luxury, especially with a great ocean view!
Sea Forest
- Check if it’s open before going
Yaeyama Soba at Nakayoshi shokudou
You probably know “so-ki soba” which is okinawan style noodle.
Do you also know that each area in Okinawa has their own style? The ingredients are different in each area, and especially in Yaeyama area it is called “Yaeyama soba” that you can have in Ishigaki island.
I enjoyed having it here, Nakayoshi shokudo. Also their fried rice is very popular 😋
Nakayoshi Shokudo
Gelato at Miru Miru Hompo
If you wanna eat something sweet while driving, I highly recommend you Miru Miru Hompo! It is made by very fresh ingredients. You will be satisfied with those gelatoes 🙂 My recommendation is milk flavor!
I would recommend you to go there before sunset! I saw beautiful sunset (it was cloudy tho )
Miru Miru Hompo
FYI: you can eat it at ishigaki airport as well.
[Closed] Popsicle at Fruit Jewery factory
If you are in town, Fruit Jewery factory would be great 🙂 It looks beautiful with their colors. Difficult to pick only one.. 🙁
Fruit Juice and Smoothie, Kabira Farm
For fruits to cool down sun-kissed skin under Okinawan hot weather, I loved this passion fruit smoothie!
The sourness from passion fruit was very nice
Kabira Farm
- Parking – available
There are many restaurants where you can enjoy ishigaki’s famous beef, Okinawan food with local ingredients. sweets / desserts, etc. Ishigaki, Okinawa!
