Are you a noodle freak?
Then have you ever tried “Okinawa Soba,” which is the tastiest food in Okinawa prefecture? It is totally different from any other soba in Japan. Now you want to know the difference between them, right? This article takes you to the interesting world of Okinawa Soba. You can learn about the history, features, taste and more!
What is “Okinawa Soba” anyway?
Okinawa Soba is loved in Okinawa prefecture, which is a tropical island that is located at the south end of the main island of Japan. The big difference between mainland soba and Okinawan soba is the noodles. They use flour for the noodles in Okinawa like Udon, whereas soba on the mainland is made mainly of buckwheat. It was because of this, Okinawa Soba wasn’t admitted as a soba dish in Japan for a long time.
The history of Okinawa Soba
In the 14th century, Okinawa was a kingdom called “Ryukyu.” It flourished as a trading post in Southeast Asia. The flour noodle was brought to Ryukyu from China at that time, and it was a cuisine meant for the palace. After the Meiji era, a Chinese person opened the first Okinawa Soba restaurant in Naha City, where the local people began eating it. After World War II, it increasingly spread because the U.S. Forces distributed flour to the Okinawan people, who were having trouble with food shortages.
What does it taste like?
It tastes so good! The noodle is a little bit chewy and there are various shapes; straight, curly and wide! The soup is made from pork bones and seafood, so you can taste the umami. It is savoury but light at the same time.
There are also various kinds of toppings for Okinawa Soba, such as pork rib, tofu, veggies, fishcakes, etc. If you want to eat it like local, you must add co-regu-su (Okinawan chilli pickled in local sake), beni shoga (red pickled ginger) and shichimi togarashi (Japanese chilli peppers), which make Okinawa Soba more flavorful.
Visit Okinawa!
Nowadays Okinawa Soba is well localized so there are many places to enjoy it! You can enjoy different tasty Okinawa Soba at different places in Okinawa. For example, there is “Okinawa Soba” in the mainland of Okinawa, but on Miyako island, there is the other soba called “Miyako Soba,” which is also tasty but has a different style.
Okinawa Soba has been loved by locals for a long time. Eating Okinawa Soba is the best way to learn Okinawan food culture. Visit Okinawa to enjoy Okinawa Soba!
