OKINAWA NAHA: Goya Tempura-Ya for some of the best Andagi Donuts! Elderly lady staff was so nice. (iPhone 12 Mini)

 

There are so many little side streets in the Naha Shopping Arcade and randomly passed by a Tempura shop staffed by elderly ladies cooking away... in the showcase was lots of tempura choices like fish and squid but I just ate some earlier and was ready for dessert!

I got the standard and the dark sugar donut.  Staff picked the biggest of the bunch for me... soooo nice!

Pacman!

It was soooo good.  Super crispy on the outside and soft interior with the flavor just right.  If you love donuts or pancakes then give Goya Tempura a try!  For even better photos please check out this blog post https://oki-raku.net/gourmet/okinawa-tempura/nanbu/goya-tenpura/

Staff recommended this little bento spot called Waku Waku just a few feet away. On my list to try!

Restaurant Bakery: 呉屋てんぷら屋

Restaurant J: Goya Tempura-Ya

Tabelog Foodie: https://tabelog.com/okinawa/A4701/A470101/47000986/

Address J: 沖縄県那覇市松尾2-11-1

Address E: 2 Chome-11-1 Matsuo, Naha, Okinawa 900-0014

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/gBKGTmjN6B1owWMJ8

天ぷら, 牧志駅, サーターアンダギー, Japan, Japanese, tokyobelly, foodie, yelp, sweets, bakery, donuts, tempura, okinawan, okinawa, iphone 12 mini, cheap, budget, cake 

OKINAWA NAHA: Menya En Ramen for their generous 1,000 yen Tipsy Senbelo Plan! 4 drinks and 1 food item for only 1,000 yen... 4 drinks!! (iPhone 12 Mini)

 

When in Okinawa you gotta bar hop all the little 1,000 yen tipsy plans called Senbelo. Normally these plans are 2-3 drinks depending on the quality of the food but rarely do you see 4 drinks included.

4 drinks, Otoshi plus 3 pieces of gyoza was all me.

One pic equals one drink... 

Chill Outdoor seating... with a external speaker playing some cool Jpop but it was so choppy I had to turn it off. 

If you want to order something other than the tiny senbelo food choices.

Friend ordered some Fried Rice... then my tiny 3 piece gyoza arrived.  Very tiny but I was more here for the booze.

Normally beers are 500 yen... Friend ordered a glass of Kurokirishima Shochu on the rocks and it came out in a beer mug with only ice cubes... 20-25 proof cup of sake!  Very generous portion but very strong.  Normally you need to add water and ice.

Its located on the back end of Naha Shopping Arcade called Sunrise with lots of little bars... a must!

Restaurant: Menya En

Restaurant J: 麺屋 縁-えん

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ene_menya

Address J: 那覇市松尾2丁目24-1-2

Address E: 2 Chome-24-1-2 Matsuo, Naha, Okinawa 900-0014

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/MdemQpCXJCxzyGqw6

サンライズ通り, ラーメン屋🍜 麺屋 縁-えん, Japan, Japanese, foodie, yelp, tokyobelly, senbelo,　せんべろ、那覇、okinawa, okinawan, bar, pub, cheap, ramen, gyoza, pot stickers

OKINAWA: Shimoji Soba... little old traditional Okinawa home converted into a noodle shop. Nice! (iPhone 12 mini)

On my way to UNESCO world heritage Shikinaen Royal Garden and spotted Shimoji Soba... couldnt see inside but it was a old traditional Okinawan home that was converted into a restaurant.

I always order the super tender pork ribs Soki Soba... 800 yen!  Prices were reasonable.  They also had varieties on Shave Ice for only 200 yen.

Seat near the TV. Self serve water, tea and coffee... all free.

The pork was so incredibly tender and flavorful

Noodles were a bit curly. slightly thin and on the chewy side... enjoyed it.  Soup was super hot!  Unusual for soup to be this hot but kept everything warm til the end of the bowl.

Tiny veggie and Okinawan mozuku seaweed.

Guy who came in after me ordered the traditional Okinawan Juushi seasoned rice.  Ordered a mini 100 yen bowl... nice light flavor with a hint of butter?  It was goooood.

I later talked to the staff at Shikinaen Royal Garden and mentioned I went to Shimoji Soba... she said only tourists go there! Locals go to another spot in the area... I better start asking what soba shops the locals like.  Oh well.

Restaurant: Shimoji Okinawan Soba

Restaurant J: 下地そば シモジソバ 

Foodie: https://tabelog.com/okinawa/A4701/A470102/47019059/

Address J: 沖縄県那覇市字真地41

Address E: 41 Maaji, Naha, Okinawa 902-0072

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/gYAaWkpFAbYtWF887

Japan, Japanese, foodie, yelp, tokyobelly, ramen, noodles, naha, soba, okinawa, okinawan, lunch, dinner, family restaurant, shave ice, kakigori, 沖縄そば, 首里駅

TAKADANOBABA: Gindaco had an amazing 3 day special! 390 yen for 8 Takoyaki Balls! Staff was incredibly nice. (iPhone 12 mini)

I tend not too much Osaka style foods because of the carbs but luckily walked by the Gindaco Takadanobaba branch minutes before closing and scored their very last serving of 390 yen 8 Takoyaki ball set!  Normally over 600 yen. 

My iPhone 12 mini is so tiny I always get a finger in the shot.... grrr.

Found a great spot on the bridge at Kanda River!  Yup, I was streaming the entire night on Twitch! Give me a follow AlohaSteve808 https://www.twitch.tv/alohasteve808

Wow! I have impressions of Takoyaki being a bit soft and chewy but Gindaco balls were soooo crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside! It was sooooo good!  

My View! When in Tokyo and craving Osaka Takoyaki definitely give Gidaco a try!  Especially the Takadanobaba branch with such a spacious inside dining area.

Restaurant: Tsukiji Gindaco Taishū-Sakaba - Takadanobaba

Restaurant J: 築地銀だこ 高田馬場さかえ通り店

Tabelog Foodie: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1305/A130503/13235796/

Homepage: https://www.gindaco.com/

Address J: 東京都新宿区高田馬場3-2-13 ドムス・サニ・ヤナガワビル 1F

Address E: Tokyo, Shinjuku-ku, Takadanobaba 3-2-13

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/YYcx4pqMD7mSaT7A6

たこ焼き、焼きそば、お好み焼き, 築地銀だこ 大衆酒場 高田馬場さかえ通り店, Japan, Japanese, tokyo, foodie, yelp, cheap, lunch, dinner, osaka, pub, iphone 12 mini, okonomiyaki

KOTAKEMUKAIHARA: Bikkuri Donkey for their fantastic 8am-11am exclusive early bird deal! Burger and Awesome Miso Soup only 670 yen! (iPhone 12 Mini)

This Minimum Dish Set is all me!  Lots of great deals before 11am and it comes with coffee or Miso soup.

100 grams of hamburger steak, mini rice, mini salad and a super flavorful bow of miso soup.

The breakfast menu.

The burgers here are always so super tender and juicy... just enjoy it every time.

Salad with sesame seed mayo dressing?  O

It says Miso Soup goes very well with your burger...

One of the best soups Ive had... there was egg and mushrooms inside. Quite a large serving. 

Waitress said I could sit anywhere I wanted... picked a tiny booth for 2.

But this might be one of the best options if you are a small eater.  130 grams of hamburger salad and ric for only 635 yen. 

670 yen with Tax!  I was soooo incredibly satisfied.  If in Japan you must try Bikkuri Donki wherever you are!  The booths kinda of remind me of a cowboy western US restaurant.

Restaurant: Bikkuri Donkey Itabashi Komone Shop

Restaurant J: びっくりドンキー 板橋こもね店

Tabelog Foodie: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1322/A132202/13045040/

Homepage: https://www.bikkuri-donkey.com

Address J: 東京都板橋区小茂根3-16-1

Address E: 3 Chome-16-1 Komone, Itabashi City, Tokyo 173-0037

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ibGxwUSuH1pGdypu5

ファミレス、ハンバーグ, 小竹向原駅, Kotakemukaihara, Japan, Japanese, foodie, yelp, tokyobelly, breakfast, lunch, dinner, cheap, diner, beer, pub, bar, family restaurant, burger, hamburger,