Local Guide
Experience the deliciousness of Okinawa. 6 famous restaurants loved by locals in the Yomitan and Chatan areas

Okinawa has many restaurants where you can enjoy a diverse food culture, from soul food loved by generations to gourmet food with a new essence. In addition to local food, there are also many restaurants that serve cuisine from a wide variety of countries, including Thailand, Mexico, and Korea. Here we will introduce six carefully selected restaurants in the Yomitan and Chatan areas that are especially loved by locals.

Mexican soul food from Yomitan Village that continues to be loved by locals

"Macho Nachos" 990 yen, "Enchilada de Mehicano" 790 yen
"Macho Nachos" 990 yen, "Enchilada de Mehicano" 790 yen

The Mexican-American owner opened the restaurant in 1976 with the goal of "enjoying Mexican home cooking anytime, anywhere." The popular "Enchilada Emecicano" offers authentic Mexican flavors. The special chili sauce topping is an addictively delicious dish that has been made using the same recipe since the restaurant first opened. It's a favorite among local repeat customers.

The hearty "Macho Nachos" are made with a large tortilla and cheese, then baked until golden brown in the oven. They can be enjoyed with avocado dip or sour cream.

An exotic atmosphere where locals, tourists, and foreigners mingle

The shop has counter and table seats, as well as spacious, relaxing seats.
The shop has counter and table seats, as well as spacious, relaxing seats.

The standard menu of tacos comes in two varieties: soft tacos, which are rare in Okinawa, and crunchy tacos. The "carnitas" is made with pork simmered for 8 hours and then grilled until crispy, in a true Mexican flavor that is rare even in Okinawa.

They also offer a vegan menu to meet the needs of health-conscious people. They also offer takeout, so we recommend ordering tacos or macho nachos to eat on the nearby beach.

Comments Local Guide
Other popular dishes include "Taco rice," "Burritos," and "Chili Omelettes." As it used to be a coffee shop, it still serves Western dishes such as "spaghetti" and "gratin," a vestige of that time.
Mexican Foods OBBLIGATO
  • 住所Okinawa Prefecture Nakagami District Yomitan Village Furukata 497-1 MAP
  • アクセスApproximately 15 minutes by car from "Okinawa Minami" IC
  • バスアクセスTake Ryukyu Bus No. 120 from Naha International Airport, get off at "Mizugama" and walk for about 12 minutes
  • 営業時間Eat-in 11:00-21:30 (last orders 21:00)
    Takeout: 11:00-22:00 (last order 21:30)
  • 定休日none
  • TEL098-956-7420
  • 駐車場free

Healthy, authentic Korean cuisine made with ingredients from Okinawa and Korea

"Bulgogi set meal" 1,000 yen
"Bulgogi set meal" 1,000 yen

A Korean restaurant located in a residential area of Yomitan Village. The owner, Mr. La, serves healthy home-cooked meals using ingredients from Okinawa and Korea without additives or chemical seasonings.

The recommended menu item is the classic Korean dish "Bulgogi," made by stir-frying beef that has been marinated in a special sauce and aged with vegetables and glass noodles. It is served on top of warm rice in titanium dishes imported from Korea. Small dishes include seasonal flavors such as homemade kimchi made by Mr. La and seaweed salad.

The interior is inspired by Korean home decor

The interior of the restaurant, which was renovated from an old house over a period of six months, gives a sense of the scenery of the owner La's hometown.
The interior of the restaurant, which was renovated from an old house over a period of six months, gives a sense of the scenery of the owner La's hometown.

In addition to the bulgogi set menu, we also recommend the "Dak Gomtang Set Menu" (1,000 yen), a low-calorie, high-protein stewed chicken dish. In Korea, it is popular as a highly nutritious food that boosts the immune system, and is a great dish to ease your stomachache or fatigue while traveling.

There is also an original set meal that combines Okinawa's home-style dish "yushi tofu" with the Korean home-style dish "gomtang." The healthy menu, which uses local ingredients, is also popular with locals.

Comments Local Guide
They sell accessories such as earrings and the Korean tableware that is served with the meals. They also sell homemade kimchi and salted fish, so if you like it, you can take it home with you.
Korean cuisine oki123
  • 住所123 Oki, Yomitan Village, Nakagami District, Okinawa Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスApproximately 50 minutes by car from Naha Airport
  • バスアクセスFrom Naha International Airport, take the Naha Airport Limousine Bus bound for Kokusai-dori Iriguchi, get off at Kokusai-dori Iriguchi, then take Ryukyu Bus No. 28 to Prefectural Office Kita-guchi, get off at Oki and walk for about 8 minutes.
  • 営業時間11:30-15:00 (LO14:30), 17:30-21:30 (LO21:00)
  • 定休日Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday
  • TEL090-2716-7932
  • 駐車場free
  • メモDue to the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak, the schedule may change. Please check in advance via social media or by phone.

Enjoy original Okinawan cuisine made from fresh ingredients in a traditional Japanese home

"Kumejima Tiger Prawns - Deep-fried" 850-990 yen, "Raw Jimami Tofu" 550 yen, "Salted Island Rakkyo" 530 yen, "Mozuku Tempura" 720 yen
"Kumejima Tiger Prawns - Deep-fried" 850-990 yen, "Raw Jimami Tofu" 550 yen, "Salted Island Rakkyo" 530 yen, "Mozuku Tempura" 720 yen

This restaurant is set in a traditional Japanese house, nestled quietly in a quiet residential area. You can enjoy Okinawan original cuisine, a mix of Japanese and Western styles, made with carefully selected ingredients from Okinawa. In addition to the standard menu, the restaurant also offers a wide variety of daily specials.

A popular menu item among regular customers is the Kumejima spiny lobster, served as sashimi or deep-fried, allowing you to fully enjoy the flavor of the ingredients. The homemade "raw jimami tofu" allows you to enjoy the rich flavor of peanuts. The fragrant salted island scallions go perfectly with island sake. The "mozuku tempura," made from Okinawan mozuku seaweed, is deep-fried until crispy, giving off a seashore flavor.

A luxurious moment in a relaxed atmosphere

The interior of the restaurant has a relaxing atmosphere where you can feel the warmth of wood, making it a perfect place for adults to spend some quality time.
The interior of the restaurant has a relaxing atmosphere where you can feel the warmth of wood, making it a perfect place for adults to spend some quality time.

"Majunrikka" means "Let's go together" in Okinawan, and is filled with the owner's feelings of "Let's enjoy delicious food together."

In addition to the island sake, there is also a sake called "Habu sake" in which a viper is pickled in it, placed in the center of the store. You can spend an exquisite time enjoying delicious Okinawan cuisine and island sake in an old house with a tiled roof that is unique to Okinawa.

Comments Local Guide
Lunch is available on weekends only. There are cute cats in the garden, so cat lovers will love it.
Majunrikka
  • 住所Okinawa Prefecture Nakagami District Yomitan Village Takashiho 122 MAP
  • アクセスApproximately 55 minutes by car from Naha Airport
  • 営業時間11:30-14:30 (L.O. 14:00)
    17:30～23:00（L.O. 22:00）
  • 定休日Monday, Tuesday
  • TEL098-989-8333
  • 駐車場free

A rich oriental menu prepared by a Thai chef

"Khao Ga Pao Kai Dao" 792 yen, "Khao Man Gai" 792 yen. Enjoy authentic Thai cuisine and feel like you're in the orient.
"Khao Ga Pao Kai Dao" 792 yen, "Khao Man Gai" 792 yen. Enjoy authentic Thai cuisine and feel like you're in the orient.

Located in Chatan Town, a popular tourist spot bustling with tourists and foreign residents, this Restaurant serves authentic Thai street food. The popular staple dish is "Khao Ga Pao Kai Dao," a fried egg topped on jasmine rice, garnished with fragrant stir-fried minced meat and holy basil.

"Khao Man Gai" is a representative Thai dish, in which chicken stewed in a special soup is eaten with Thai rice cooked in the soup. Because Okinawa has a similar climate to Thailand, it is said that it is easy to obtain ingredients used in Thai cuisine.

Enjoy the food stall atmosphere at this open-air restaurant

Enjoy the exotic atmosphere with tables and chairs imported from Thailand
Enjoy the exotic atmosphere with tables and chairs imported from Thailand

Located on the street of Chatan Town's popular tourist spot, American Village, you can enjoy your meal while watching the people passing by. Prices are all reasonable (with some exceptions) so that you can enjoy the casual food stall atmosphere.

From dishes that allow you to enjoy the unique spiciness of Thai cuisine to dishes with mild flavors, the wide variety of dishes is popular with locals. Along with Thai food, try ordering a few dishes that interest you and enjoy the variety of flavors.

Comments Local Guide
This restaurant is popular with foreign customers and tourists alike, and is also recommended for families with children, as it offers great value set menus and kids' menus.
Thai food paopao the elephant
  • 住所Okinawa Prefecture, Nakagami-gun, Chatan-cho, Mihama 8-10 Americaya International Building D 1F MAP
  • アクセスApproximately 35 minutes by car from Naha Airport
  • バスアクセスTake the Naha Airport Limousine Bus bound for "DoubleTree by Hilton Okinawa Chatan Resort" from Naha International Airport, get off at "The Beach Tower Okinawa" and walk for about 1 minute.
  • 営業時間12:00-15:00 (LO14:30), 17:00-21:00 (LO20:00)
  • 定休日Wednesday
  • TEL098-989-9890
  • 駐車場free
  • メモDue to the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak, the schedule may change. Please check in advance via social media or by phone.

A specialty store for the local staple snack "tacos"

"Tacos" from a long-established store that has been making them for 30 years: 220 yen per piece
"Tacos" from a long-established store that has been making them for 30 years: 220 yen per piece

This taco specialty shop has been in business for 30 years, opened by a couple living in Chatan Town who realized their dream of "running a taco shop." The popular tacos can be ordered from just one piece, making them a great snack to have on hand.

The fragrant deep fried dough has a unique texture that is both crunchy and chewy. It is served with homemade taco meat, fresh lettuce, sliced tomatoes and plenty of homemade chili sauce.

Made to order, freshly made food tastes the best

Inside the store, there is an order counter and three tables.
Inside the store, there is an order counter and three tables.

When you enter the brightly lit restaurant, you will see a menu sign in front. For first-time customers who are unsure what to order, we recommend the "Tacoya Plate," an assortment of tacos, taco rice, French fries, and homemade onion rings.

The owner says that the taco dough, which is made every day through trial and error, is "best when freshly fried." You can enjoy the true essence of local food by eating hot, freshly fried tacos in the eat-in area.

Comments Local Guide
They also have their own original "hot dog" with sausage, lettuce, tomato, and cheese in a bun. Their "taco sticks" are made by wrapping taco meat and cheese in spring roll skin and deep frying them, making them easy to eat and perfect as a quick snack.
Tacos Shop Chatan Branch
  • 住所Okinawa Prefecture, Nakagami District, Chatan Town, Miyagi 1-5 MAP
  • アクセスApproximately 40 minutes by car from Naha Airport
  • バスアクセスTake Naha Airport Ryukyu Bus No. 99 to "Domestic Passenger Terminal Front" and get off at "Wakamatsu Entrance", then take Ryukyu Bus No. 28 to "Ihei" and walk for about 7 minutes
  • 営業時間11:30～22:00（L.O.21:30）
  • TEL098-936-6866
  • 駐車場No
  • メモDue to the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak, the schedule may change. Please call in advance to confirm.

Enjoy fine craft beer with a harbour view

"5 types of tasting set" 1,350 yen
"5 types of tasting set" 1,350 yen

A brewery where you can drink Okinawa-made craft beer. The popular menu item is the "tasting set" where you can compare the taste of five craft beers. You can enjoy five types of beer: "LAGER" with a refreshing taste and tropical flavor, "WEIZEN" with the sweetness of wheat and rich aroma, "PALE ALE" with a rich caramel-like flavor, "IPA (India Pale Ale)" with an impactful bitterness and hop aroma, and "STOUT" with a traditional roasted bitterness and smooth foam.

Enjoy original dishes with craft beer

The interior of the store is divided into a beer bar with impressive rows of brewery barrels, and a Restaurant corner where you can enjoy a meal while looking out over the harbor.
The interior of the store is divided into a beer bar with impressive rows of brewery barrels, and a Restaurant corner where you can enjoy a meal while looking out over the harbor.

At the beer bar, you can drink freshly brewed beer on the spot, and enjoy carefully selected appetizers and snacks. At Restaurant, you can enjoy contemporary Italian cuisine with plenty of seafood, as well as hearty dishes such as T-bone steaks. We recommend choosing a beer that matches the menu.

You can enjoy a luxurious dinner while watching the sunset with a mellow Okinawan beer.

Comments Local Guide
They also have seasonal beers, so be sure to check them out. They also offer a "sunset cruise" (reservations required) that departs from the pier in front of Restaurant, which is recommended for those who want to experience the resort atmosphere.
CHATAN HARBOR BREWERY& Restaurant
  • 住所53-1 Mihama, Chatan-cho, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスApproximately 35 minutes by car from Naha Airport
  • バスアクセスTake Naha Airport Ryukyu Bus No. 99 to "Domestic Passenger Terminal Front" and get off at "Wakamatsu Entrance", then take Ryukyu Bus No. 28 to "Ihei" and walk for about 7 minutes
  • 営業時間Restaurant 17:00-23:00 (last orders 22:00), Bar 17:00-24:00 (last orders 23:30)
  • 定休日none
  • TEL098-926-1118
  • 駐車場free
  • メモDue to the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak, the schedule may change. Please check the website in advance.
*The contents listed are current as of the date of article update. They may be subject to change, so please check before using.