Okinawan cuisine

Okinawan cuisine – Okinawa Ryori [沖縄料理]

Okinawan cuisine differs from Japanese cuisine due to the complex history and the different climate. The islands were an independent state called the Ryukyu Kingdom [琉球王国] which reigned from the 15th to 19th century. The food culture was influenced especially by China, Southeast Asia and the United States (after WWII).

Okinawan Soul Food: Okinawa Soba [沖縄そば]

Okinawa soba are different from the soba in the rest of Japan. They are made of wheat flour, not buckwheat. Thick wheat noodles are very similar to ramen noodles. Okinawa soba is served in a soup from bonito broth with toppings such as green onion, sliced pork and boiled fish cake.

Ryukyu Sweets

It has been said that there were 160 varieties of pastries during the Ryukyu Kingdom era.
Here are some popular sweets that can be purchased at supermarkets, souvenir shops and confectionery stores.