OKINAWA NAHA ASATO: Asatoya Suba (Soba) standing noodle shop! 3 minutes to boil al`dente... very heavy. (iphone 12 mini)

Back on the islands! Didnt eat very much this day and one of my favorite Okinawa Charu soba but it was closed... so on the way back to town I spotted this standing Okinawa Asatoya Suba noodle spot.  I wonder why its not Soba but Suba.

https://tokyobelly.blogspot.com/2024/07/okinawa-sakaemachi-okinawa-charu-soba.html

Counter seat in front of the chef... Not many welcomes or hellos at this spot. It was all business I guess.

They have the awamori hot pepper spice.

So I went for the Soki-Soba 860 yen.  Tender Pork!

2 nice pieces of tender pork, 2 slices of white kamaboko fish cakes and negi. 

Noodles were boiled for 3 minutes but unusually aldente... a bit on the very heavy side.  Usually noodles are not boiled this long. I assume they may be a special blend noodle. Not my style. 

I managed to finish the entire plate and drank all the soup but it was very heavy on the Ajinomoto MSG.  The flavor lingered in my mouth for a while.

Overall once is enough for this price point, not very friendly staff and standing to eat a bowl of Okinawa Soba wasn't too enjoyable.   Just seemed rushed. In Tokyo a bowl of soba or udon noodles at 300 yen a bowl then sure standing is fine but for noodles at this price at least a small table would be nice.

Restaurant: Asatoya Suba

Restaurant J: 安里屋すば

Tabelog Foodie: https://tabelog.com/okinawa/A4701/A470101/47028345/

Homepage: https://asatoyasuba.okinawa/

Address J: 沖縄県那覇市安里3-1-8

Address E: Okinawa, Naha, Asato 3-1-3

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/gyq8QVnLH7oR7TPo8

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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

OKINAWA NAHA: Nakazaya... absolutely fantastic bowl of Tonkotsu broth Okinawa soba! GOTTA GOO!!! (Sony RX100)

The majority of Okinawa Soba is made with a light fish broth that might leave people craving for more and what the saving grace is the tender soki pork or the type of noodle (thin, medium, thick).  BUT Never did I realize they also serve soba using Tonkotsu based soup!!

Great take-out bento selections at 500 and 380 yen. 

Lots of space and there was also a tatami seating area with about 4 tables.  Great if you have little kids. 

 Lots of options but I went for my favorite soki soba (pictured on top of the menu).  Small size is 100 grams with 2 pieces of pork and Medium is 200 grams with 3 pieces.  Went with Medium!

Nice traditional Okinawan pottery. 

Box full of pickled ginger... I never add this as it kinda overwhelms the soup. 

Later I added this very spicy yet sweet sauce to my broth. 

Its like Tonkotsu ramen from mainland Japan but with amazing tender braised pork and Okinawan chewy soba noodles!  Absolutely the best of both worlds!!

You can hear the chef light up his torch... braised to perfection. 

The pork was absolutely buttery tender and so flavorful.  Pieces were generously huge.

Loved it!!  

Sitting one table over was a little boy.  Family seemed to be regulars as they knew the staff.

Should have bought a bottle!  

I`ve lived in Tokyo for years but there is such a friendly atmosphere in Okinawa.  The waitress here was so nice, the restaurant super spacious and the soba was just addictive... If you are staying in the Naha area you MUST give Nakazaya a try! I WILL BE BACK!! Oh its only about a 10 minute walk from the Yui Monorail Oroku Station. 

Restaurant: Nakaza-Ya

Homepage: https://www.nakazaya.co.jp/

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

Tabelog Foodie: https://tabelog.com/okinawa/A4701/A470103/47027747/

Online Order: https://nakazaya.base.shop/

Address J: 沖縄県那覇市金城3-7-1

Address E: Okinawa, Naha, Kanagusuku 3-7-1

MAP: https://g.page/nakazaya?share

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OKINAWA NAHA: Sumanumeh Okinawan Soba with a huge celebrity following... rather standard. (Sony RX100, D7100)

Decide to stray from my favorite Okinawan soba noodle restaurants to try out something new waaaay into the residential areas of Okinawa... 1 hour walk from central Kokusai Street.

Upon entering to the very left was a 3 table outdoor cottage.

The sell shequasa green oranges... almost taste like little limes. 

To the right 3 tables.  There is indoor seating but a full house when I arrived. 

Menu!  Went for the most popular large So-Ki Soba (pork with bones) and side order of Jushiii (seasoned Okinawan rice... kinda like fried rice)

Here it is! 

Had a bit of the soup... quite average.  Really no addictive depth to it. 

Jushi rice as on the dry side.  Hmm...

Normally the soki pork melts off the bones but I think this place is soooo busy that they don`t have time to proper stew the pork.   It was rather tough... so unfortunate. 

Noodles were on the thin side.. Totally reminded me of the 430 yen noodle place in Central Kokusai Street that actually tasted better. (Inaka Soba - 田舎 公設市場南店)

https://tokyobelly.blogspot.com/search?q=inaka+soba

Really liked the pottery they used for the meal. 

So many celebrity photo`s inside.  No wonder this place was packed with tourists. 

Remember to add the awamori red pepper if you like a little spice. 

Lots of fresh air outside during coronavirus... inside was packed. 

Overall I think the atmosphere is was the selling point.  A little old Okinawan home converted into a soba noodle restaurant.  If you want that old Okinawa feeling then why not but if you are looking for quality then there is no reason to walk 1 hour to try this spot.    I would totally suggest Nakamura-ya Soba just seconds from Asato monorail station in central naha. なかむら屋 屋台そば駅前店

https://tokyobelly.blogspot.com/2020/08/okinawa-naha-asato-station-nakamura-ya.html

Restaurant: Sumanemeh Okinawn Soba

Tabelog Foodie: https://tabelog.com/okinawa/A4701/A470103/47001964/

Address J: 沖縄県那覇市国場40-1

Address E: Okinawa-ken, Naha-shi,  Kokuba 40-1

MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/E9mdHTq2LpefxDRe6

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