It has been 10 years since we moved to Okinawa due to my husband’s job transfer, and I am KONY, an “Shima Naicha”,(which means the people who moved from mainland Japan and lives in Okinawa) who loves Okinawa very much.
Okinawa Prefecture is full of fascinating gourmet foods such as Okinawan soba noodles, “rafte” (stewed pork), and “umibudo” (sea grapes)! I have been living in Okinawa for 10 years now, and I have come to be able to put Okinawan gourmet food on my dinner table.
So this time, I, an “Shima Naicha”, would like to introduce “Okinawan Tempura” which I think you must try when you come to Okinawa!
Is Okinawan Tempura Not Like Tempura?
When most people hear the word “tempura,” they think of a classic Japanese dish with a crispy, dry batter. Of course, when I first moved to Okinawa, I was one of those people who imagined the same thing.
However, Okinawan tempura is a dish with a thick and moist batter. Not only the taste, but also the appearance is completely different. It looks more like Italian fritters than tempura. To the uninitiated, it may look like “tempura” that doesn’t look like tempura.
Ingredients and batter also have Okinawan characteristics
The most common ingredients for tempura in Japanese cuisine are shrimp, eggplant, kabocha squash and shiitake mushrooms. Okinawa tempura is different from regular tempura in its ingredients, with white and red fish, squid, mozuku seaweed, and arsa (green laver) being the standard. Imo (potatoes) and shrimps are also on the menu, but Okinawan ingredients such as bitter melon and taro (cocoyam) also make an appearance.
In addition, the batter is seasoned with dashi broth and salt, so it is well seasoned as it is.
If you prefer a stronger flavor or want to enjoy a different taste, we recommend adding Worcestershire sauce.
Sold not only at tempura restaurants but also at convenience stores
Until recently, if you wanted to buy Okinawan tempura, you had to stop by a tempura shop or buy it in the prepared food section of the supermarket.
However, recently it is now available at the “Okinawa FamilyMart” convenience store. Many students buy it not only as a side dish for dinner, but also as a snack.
Furthermore, tempura stores differ in taste from store to store, with some having a thicker batter, others a more salty taste, and still others offering a variety of ingredients. Stopping by a tempura shop and eating your way around may become a good memory for your stay at Okinawa.
If you want to try Okinawan tempura, go to Ojima Island
Ojima Island is located in Nanjo City, Okinawa Prefecture, and is connected to the main island by a bridge about 100 meters long. It is small, with a circumference of about 1.7 km. It is a good place for sightseeing and driving in the southern part of the island.
Furthermore, Ojima Island has not only tempura restaurants, but also beaches and glass boat rides, where you can enjoy summer activities.
Access to Ojima Island
▶︎ By public transportation
From Naha Bus Terminal→Nanjo City Hall→About 15 minutes after boarding the “Tamagusuku/Ozato Round-the-Circle Route Right Turn (C1)” of the “N Bus”, a local bus in Nanjo City.
▶︎ By car
About 45 minutes from Naha Airport. Exit at the Haebaru Minami Interchange and drive south on Prefectural Road No. 48.
Okinawa Tempura Recommendation: Oshiro Tempura Restaurant
After visiting several Okinawan tempura restaurants, I finally decided to go to a tempura restaurant on Ojima Island regularly.
It is a restaurant where you order by writing down the number of pieces you want on the order form and wait outside the restaurant with a number tag.
The main difference of this restaurant is that it prepares freshly fried tempura. We really recommend purchasing freshly fried tempura because we want you to enjoy the fluffy and crispy texture of Okinawan tempura.
“Arsa (green laver) Tempura” that you should try once.
The author’s favorite menu item at Oshiro Tempura Restaurant is neither fish nor squid, but rather, arsa tempura! Arsa is an Okinawan dialect word meaning aosa(
green laver).
The batter containing the arsa and finely chopped pork (pork luncheon meat) is deep-fried, so it looks like a rice cracker with a crispy finish. The crispy part is fried, and the sticky part is also fried, so you can enjoy a variety of textures in a single piece.
There are vending machines lined up in front of the store, so please try them with sanpincha tea (jasmine tea)!
Be careful if you are short on time!
Because Oshiro Tempura Restaurant serves freshly fried food after an order is placed, it takes time to receive the food when the restaurant is crowded. It is especially crowded on weekends and holidays, and it is not unusual for it to take 30 minutes to pick up.
Many people plan to stop by while waiting to return their rental car, but be aware of the long wait time.
《Oshiro Tempura Restaurant》
Address: 193 Ou Tamagusuku, Nanjo City, Okinawa, Japan
Phone: 098-948-4530
Business hours: 11:00 – 18:00 (sometimes the menu is sold out around 16:00 on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays)
Closed: Monday
Parking: Available around the restaurant
The delicious tempura and the beautiful beach will blow away the summer heat. The area is also close to the airport, so be sure to stop by!
Written by KONY
Translated by Rie
