What are the specialty foods of Yonaguni Island?
One of the joys of traveling is trying the local gourmet food, right?
Yonaguni Island also has a wealth of foods that are considered local specialties, some of which are specialties at restaurants on the island.
The foods grown in the rich natural environment of Yonaguni Island are truly gourmet foods that can only be found on Yonaguni Island.
When visiting as a tourist, learning about the local specialties before researching restaurants will help you choose a place to go.
So, this time we will introduce some specialty gourmet foods that are unique to Yonaguni Island, so if you are planning to visit Yonaguni Island, be sure to check this out!
Marlin, a specialty of Yonaguni Island
One of the most famous local products on Yonaguni Island is marlin. Approximately 1,000 marlin are landed each year, and it is said to be the largest marlin catch in Japan. For this reason, marlin is a very familiar fish to the people of Yonaguni Island.
It can be eaten in a wide variety of ways, such as sashimi, chanpuru, and fried chicken, and is a standard menu item at restaurants on Yonaguni Island. It is also a popular souvenir, with swordfish jerky, dried fish, and marinated in olive oil.
When you think of Yonaguni Island, you think of swordfish, as it is one of the island's most well-known local specialties. It is sometimes sold at airport shops, so we recommend buying some to take home.
Specialty fish of Yonaguni Island
Marlin is not the only fish caught in Yonaguni Island. Irabucha, amberjack, and cuttlefish are also representative seafood of Yonaguni Island. Irabucha is a general term for parrotfish in Okinawa.
Blue-colored parrotfish, such as the blue-colored parrotfish and the yellow-spotted parrotfish, are collectively called Irabucha. Irabucha are characterized by their vivid blue color, so much so that at first glance you might wonder if they are poisonous.
However, they are enjoyed in a variety of ways, such as fried or butter-fried. In this way, a wide variety of fish are eaten on Yonaguni Island, and even just looking at them is a pleasure. They are also served at restaurants on the island, so fish lovers will be able to enjoy a meal to their heart's content.
Yonaguni's famous Chou-mei-sou
Chou-mei-sou is a plant of the parsley family that grows wild on Yonaguni Island. It is rich in nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin B2, and polyphenols, and is sometimes used in folk remedies. Its high nutritional value is such that it is used in Shiseido products, and it is popular among health-conscious people.
Restaurants on Yonaguni Island serve dishes using this herb. It is served in a wide variety of ways, such as chomeisou soba and chomei chanpuru, so be sure to give it a try!
Restaurants near Yonaguni Airport
The area around Yonaguni Airport is the gateway to Yonaguni Island and the first place you step into. There are three souvenir shops in the airport where you can purchase Yonaguni Island's specialty products and crafts.
You can purchase souvenirs unique to Yonaguni Island, such as accessories made with Yonaguni textiles, so it is also recommended as a tourist spot. From here, we will introduce recommended restaurants near Yonaguni Airport, so please check them out before your trip.
Cafe & Bar Munbu Terrace
Cafe & Bar Munbu Terrace is a cafe and bar located just a minute's walk from Yonaguni Airport. The menu is extensive, and the morning menu includes a pork and egg rice ball set. In addition, at lunchtime, they also offer the Okinawan soul food, the Taco Rice Box and the Loco Moco Box.
This is a restaurant where you can enjoy a variety of truly tropical menu items.
Although reservations are required in advance, another attractive feature is the Okinawan Agu pork shabu-shabu and BBQ served at dinnertime.
If the weather is good, you can enjoy your meal while gazing at the starry sky, a luxurious experience that is unique to Yonaguni Island. This service is available for dinner after 6 p.m. if you contact us in advance, so it is convenient for those who are having trouble finding transportation from their accommodation.
Yonaguni Sonai Village Restaurants
Sonai Village on Yonaguni Island is the largest of the villages on the island. It is said to have the most shops and restaurants on the island, making it a popular area for both lunch and dinner.
From here, we will introduce some recommended restaurants in Sonai village on Yonaguni Island.
Handmade bread & cafe Panes
Handmade Bread & Cafe Panes is the only bakery on Yonaguni Island. Business hours are from 10:30 to 18:00, but you can purchase bread from 8:30, so we recommend taking it out and eating it at your lodging or somewhere on the island. The five-colored melon bread is a representative of the breads they sell, and it uses ingredients unique to Okinawa such as purple yam and longevity grass.
The Yonaguni Horse Bread, which is shaped like a horse, is also popular for its wide variety of flavors and cuteness. They also have original rusks made with brown sugar and chomeiso, so they are also recommended as a snack.
The cafe menu is available until 5pm, and you can order dishes such as soba noodles and lunch plates. The quantity is limited and will end when they are gone, so if you are interested, we recommend you visit early.
Tenda flower
Tenda Hana is a cafe that specializes in Yonaguni soba. Yonaguni soba is characterized by its thick noodles compared to Okinawa soba, and the combination of the noodles and the light soup is addictively delicious.
Another attractive feature is that they offer a wide variety of lunch menu items, including not only Yonaguni soba but also taco rice and daily set meals. Business hours are from 11:00 to 15:00, which is relatively long for a restaurant that is open for lunch. Therefore, it is a restaurant that you can use even if you end up having lunch late while sightseeing.
The cafe menu also offers a wide variety of unique items, such as handmade cakes and butterfly pea tea. There is a wide variety of handmade cakes, so it might be fun to try and compare the different cakes.
Orange Cafe+ yonaguni
Orange Cafe+ Yonaguni is a cafe with an ethnic atmosphere that is rare on Yonaguni Island. It is operated from a renovated private home, and has counter seats, table seats, and other seating.
There are also sofas and table seats, making it the perfect space for those who want to relax and enjoy their time. For lunch, they offer a daily special menu, with a variety of dishes such as keema curry and dried sardine ramen.
The drink menu is also extensive, and you can enjoy drinks that are typical of Yonaguni Island, such as chou-meisou herbal tea and mango soda.
However, the opening hours are set vaguely and the store closes when the items are sold out, so you need to be a little careful. Business days are also subject to change, so it's a good idea to check the official SNS account beforehand.
If you definitely want to visit Orange Cafe+ Yonaguni, be sure to check in advance and try to arrive early.
Seberang Jaya
Suburan Jaya is an Asian restaurant that serves Southeast Asian cuisine using ingredients from Yonaguni Island. It is run by a restaurant owner who has lived in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia and Thailand.
It is especially recommended for those who like ethnic cuisine, as it offers a wide variety of dishes such as gapao rice, Malaysian-style shrimp chili, and nasi goreng. Menu items using local ingredients are developed daily, making it a great place to experience the essence of Yonaguni Island.
They also offer a wide range of drinks, including Malaysian and Thai craft beers and tea. The interior has an Asian feel, and the seating is divided into tables and raised areas, so you can relax and unwind.
Border
Hate is a restaurant located about 10 minutes by car from Yonaguni Airport. Parking is also available, so those who come by rental car can feel at ease.
It is open from 11:30 to 13:30 in the daytime, so you can use it for lunch. It is also open from 18:30 to 23:00 in the evening, so you can enjoy food and drinks until late. And because it is visited by not only tourists but also many local islanders, reservations are essential. Basically, it is best to think of it as a restaurant that you cannot enter without a reservation.
The restaurant also has tatami seating and table seating, making it ideal for groups. They offer a wide variety of Okinawan-style dishes, such as assorted sashimi and wild vegetable chanpuru, and the owner's special fried swordfish is especially popular. It has a juicy texture that makes it hard to believe it's fish, and is definitely a dish worth trying at least once.
Doguwari
Doguiwari is an izakaya located about 6 minutes by car from Yonaguni Airport. The interior is unified with a warm wooden interior and the lighting is dimmed, allowing you to relax in a soft atmosphere. The name of the restaurant, "Doguiwari," means "take a relaxing rest," and as the name suggests, it provides a relaxing space.
Douguiwari offers a wide variety of creative dishes that make use of ingredients from Yonaguni Island, and you can enjoy island flavors such as swordfish, bonito, and island tofu. Swordfish dishes are especially popular and are a must-try.
Business hours are from 6:00 p.m. to midnight, so you can enjoy a leisurely drink until late at night. Seating is available at the counter, tables, and tatami mats, making it an attractive place for both solo travelers and groups. It can accommodate both small and large groups, making it an easy place to use in a variety of situations.
female chief
Onna Shucho is an izakaya located about 6 minutes by car from Yonaguni Airport. The name of the restaurant comes from Sanai Isoba, a legendary figure who brought peace to Yonaguni Island in the 16th century, and the restaurant has an appealing atmosphere that is typical of Yonaguni Island. Bustling with locals, this izakaya has a homey atmosphere that allows tourists to interact with locals.
Business hours are from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., so it is open until late at night and can be used for various occasions such as dinner and drinking parties. The menu not only includes standard izakaya dishes, but also a wide variety of Okinawan gourmet foods such as champuru dishes and bitter melon tempura.
These dishes are made with fresh local ingredients, and you can enjoy the taste of Yonaguni Island. In addition, there is a wide selection of alcoholic beverages, including Okinawa's traditional alcoholic beverages such as awamori and donan. Onna Shucho is a recommended izakaya for those who want to enjoy local cuisine and alcohol.
How come
Dourai is a restaurant located just a 7-minute drive from Yonaguni Airport. The restaurant's name means "gathering" in the Yonaguni dialect, and as the name suggests, the restaurant has a homey atmosphere where locals and tourists gather.
The restaurant is open from 6pm to midnight, so you can enjoy it until late at night. The menu includes dishes that are unique to Yonaguni Island, such as somen chanpuru with chomeisou and fried gurukun.
The drinks on offer include shekwasha sour and awamori, so you'll really feel like you're in Okinawa. The restaurant also has several sunken kotatsu seats, so you can stay comfortably even if you're staying for a long time.
Yakiniku Como
Yakiniku Como is a long-established izakaya where you can enjoy yakiniku, which is rare on Yonaguni Island. Because of its famous products, Yonaguni Island has many restaurants that focus on fish, so this is the perfect place to go when you want to eat meat.
It's a small shop with only three tables, and has a homey atmosphere. Depending on the situation, you may be able to interact with the friendly proprietress, so it's also recommended for those who want to hear the stories of the locals.
You can enjoy a variety of cuts of beef, such as ribs, beef thighs, and salted tongue. Another attractive feature is the wide range of menu items other than yakiniku. You can also enjoy a la carte dishes such as namul and gukbap, so even yakiniku lovers will be satisfied!
Restaurants in Yonaguni Kubura Village
Kubura village is located on the west side of Yonaguni Island and is an area where many fishermen live. In addition to being able to enjoy marine activities such as diving, there are plenty of restaurants where you can enjoy dishes made with fresh seafood caught on Yonaguni Island.
From here, we will introduce some recommended restaurants in the Kubura village of Yonaguni, so please use this as a reference when planning your trip.
sea sound
Kaikyo (Isun) is a restaurant located about 10 minutes by car from Yonaguni Airport. There is no parking lot, but you can park in front of the Kubura Assembly Hall, so visiting by car is no problem.
The appeal of Kaikyo is the variety of dishes that make use of the fresh seafood caught on the island. You can enjoy seafood that has just been caught at Kubura Fishing Port, which is a three-minute walk from the restaurant. Menu items include sashimi of "harago," the fatty part of swordfish, and stir-fried loofah with miso.
You can enjoy the gourmet food of Yonaguni Island, which is hard to find in izakayas on the main island of Japan. There are two types of seats: counter seats and table seats, with a total of 28 seats. As there are many table seats, it is also recommended for group use.
Reservations are also required.
Maruti
Maruti is a restaurant located about 10 minutes by car from Yonaguni Airport. It is also a 3-minute walk from Kubura Port. Therefore, it is easy to visit even after sightseeing in Kubura Village.
Business hours are from 18:00 to 23:00, and there are 12 table seats and 10 raised tatami seats suitable for families and groups. The appeal of Maruty is that you can enjoy Okinawan cuisine and fresh fish dishes.
They have a wide variety of Okinawa-style dishes, including Azami noodles, making it the perfect place for those who want to enjoy local cuisine.
Maruti is also located in the same building as the guesthouse Tidan, and is popular with guests staying there, but please note that reservations are required.
Southern Call
Southern Call is located about 10 minutes by car from Yonaguni Airport. Parking is available, so you can visit with peace of mind even if you are renting a car. If you are planning to visit with a group, it is a good idea to make a reservation in advance.
It is open from 6pm to 11pm in the evening, making it the perfect izakaya for those who want to relax and enjoy a drink. The restaurant's specialty is its Western-style cuisine, which makes use of ingredients from Yonaguni.
For example, you can enjoy dishes such as butter-grilled swordfish and ear cartilage. Of course, Okinawan cuisine is also served, making it a rare restaurant where you can enjoy both Okinawan flavors and Western cuisine.
meat person
Nikunchu is located about a 5-minute walk from the Kubura Port ferry terminal and is one of the few yakiniku restaurants on Yonaguni Island. Here you can enjoy yakiniku made with high-quality Naiwate beef from Iwate Prefecture.
This is a great place for meat lovers, as you can enjoy a variety of cuts of meat with alcohol. The restaurant is also spacious, with several tables that seat six people. It's perfect for groups, and is also recommended for dining with friends or family.
The restaurant is open from 6pm to 11pm, so it's perfect for long stays and a leisurely meal. Nikujin's cold noodles are also worth mentioning. The combination of firm noodles, mildly spicy soup, and pineapple makes this dish a great way to end a night of drinking.
Enjoying it together with grilled meat is sure to double your satisfaction.
Fisherman's Restaurant
Uminchu is a restaurant where you can enjoy dishes made with fresh ingredients from Yonaguni Island. It is located about 15 minutes by car from Yonaguni Airport and has a parking lot, so it is convenient for visiting by rental car. It is open from 11:30 to 13:00 for lunch, so you can also use it for lunch.
In addition, the restaurant is open from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm, so you can enjoy dinner from a relatively early hour. The restaurant has spacious table seats, making it ideal for groups. However, reservations are required, so if you plan to visit, we recommend contacting us by 7:00 pm the day before.
The menu includes sashimi and tempura made with fresh fish, and the homemade tsukiage, made by mincing freshly caught fish and deep frying it, is especially popular. Those who want to enjoy original cuisine will also be satisfied, so be sure to check it out.
Restaurants in Yonaguni Hikawa Village
Hikawa Village is located in the southeastern part of Yonaguni Island, and is an area with a quiet and relaxed atmosphere. You can enjoy beautiful beaches and natural scenery, and it is a recommended spot for those who want to relax in nature.
From here, we will introduce some recommended restaurants in Hikawa village on Yonaguni Island.
Satoya
Satoya is a restaurant loved by both tourists and locals. The main menu at Satoya is Yaeyama soba, a traditional Yaeyama dish, with Tebichi soba and Kuruma shrimp soba being popular dishes.
Satoya's Yaeyama soba is characterized by its special soup stock and hand-made noodles. The prawns used in the prawn soba are farmed locally.
In addition to being able to enjoy the firm texture of the fresh prawns, the broth also has a rich shrimp flavor, making it irresistible for seafood lovers. Business hours are from 11:00 to 15:00, so it is recommended to visit during lunch time.
It is popular among locals and is the perfect place to enjoy the unique flavors of Yonaguni Island. You can enjoy your meal in a relaxing environment in Hikawa village, so it is definitely worth a visit if you want to relax.
summary
We have introduced gourmet spots on Yonaguni Island.
Please note that even if the information written here is correct, we may be closed temporarily due to staff shortages, weather, etc., so please call us to check the latest operating information.
Also, it's best to make reservations for dinner establishments at least the day before. If you make reservations on the day, you may find yourself without food, so be careful.
In front of the airportMunbu TerracePlease note that we also accept advance reservations online.
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