Taking a peek into the lives of the people of Okinawa! Foods that they eat regularly

Sometimes people ask me what the people of Okinawa eat (laughs). Of course, we eat pasta, pizza, curry, hamburger, sushi, etc. on a daily basis, but here are some of the typical foods that people in Okinawa eat on a daily basis! Of course, we also eat some of the foods that you often see at tourist spots too! I’m glad that many of you who are reading this article have similar tastes ^^

 

• Red potatoes

 

It is a famous dessert made with red potatoes, but it is common for people in the prefecture to eat it as a dessert or in dishes.

Umekujidai tempura, red potato teriyaki, red sweet potato ice cream with blue seal, red sweet potato mochi (rice cake) etc.

Red potatoes are now a dessert!

 

• Goji

Classic staple! Goji chumpure. Everyone in the family makes it, and it’s often served at restaurants. Goji chumpure is irresistible to eat no matter what you do to it!

In addition to goya chappuli, it is becoming popular as a side dish for salads, tempura, and other dishes made with vinegar.

 

• Island radish

It's delicious to eat tempura!

It is also popular to eat it with sweet-sour sauce; its crispy texture and spicy aroma are what make it so appealing, and many people are sure to become addicted after trying it once!

It is also recommended as a side dish with Orion beer and island sake.

 

• Papaya

When people think of papaya, they usually imagine it as a fruit to eat, but I eat it as a stir-fry.

With its smooth and tender texture and salty taste, it pairs well with the chicken, making it a simple yet delicious dish that goes great with white rice!

 

• Acerola

Acerola is often eaten as a processed product, such as juice, jelly, or smoothie, rather than eaten raw!

Acerola reportedly contains 17 times the vitamin C of lemons! This is why it has skin-brightening and whitening effects, as well as a stress-relieving effect.

This is a welcome effect for women with a thin face!

 

• Taro (Turnm)

It is a specialty product from Okinawa and is a type of sweet potato grown in clear water fields. Since young potatoes and grandchildren grow around the parent potato, it is considered a lucky ingredient for the prosperity of the offspring, and it is often used in celebratory dishes in Okinawa.

As a celebration, it is customary to eat Turnmungak, Durukaashi, Durten, etc., which are usually served as turnmpy or turnm sweet dumplings as a dessert.

 

・Muzuk

I think many people eat it for health reasons, even placing it on the dining table. It is delicious to eat as a side dish or as a topping for miso soup!

The lotus tempura can also be eaten as a snack.

 

・Hetchima

Hetchima is a classic summer vegetable! It is just as popular as the goya vegetable. In Okinawa, it is known by the name "nabe-raer".

The most popular way to eat it is as naberarabenbu (soybean stir-fry). It is a stir-fried dish with spam and island tofu.

It has a soft texture and is somewhat similar to a squash.

 

- Kuramafu

Kuramafu is well known for its fluffy texture. The ingredients of the glutinous rice are wheat gluten, wheat flour, and an expansion agent.

Fuchuchumpulu is easy to make with leftover vegetables and eggs from the refrigerator, and it also makes a great addition to the table. In fact, it might not be very popular as a way to eat it other than Fuchuchumpulu (lol).

 

・Island tofu

Tofu is often used in goya champaulure! In Okinawa, it is commonly used in home cooking as a side dish for stir-fried dishes, boiled dishes, and soup dishes.

The characteristic feature is that it is not prone to crumbling even when dried, making it very satisfying to eat!