Beloved Okinawan Dish - Okinawa Soba

If I am to pick one Okinawan dish for you to try while you are in Okinawa, it would be definitely the ‘Okinawa Soba’!  This is a type of noodle soup loved by everyone here in Okinawa.  If you are away from your home, I’m sure there are one or two dishes that you miss very much.  For us Okinawans, that would be the Okinawa soba.





Although it is called ‘soba’, Okinawan Soba noodles are very different from Japanese soba noodles made from buckwheat. They are actually made from flour just like udon or ramen noodles. Then, what is so special about this Okinawa soba?  Well, in my opinion, it’s the combination of the texture of the noodles (a little chewy - different from Japanese soba or udon), the pork flavored soup and so many kinds of toppings you can or cannot think of!!  A typical serving of Soba comes with sliced flavored pork, kamaboko (fish sausage), and pickled ginger.  If you want to try a little more ethnic taste, spice it up with a few drops of koregusu, chili pepper soaked in Okinawan awamori liquor. Yummy!!  You will find soba shops almost everywhere you go.  Each shop has its specialty, which could be the broth, the noodles, or the toppings.  If you want to enjoy authentic Okinawan taste, try

Soki-soba (soba with flavored pork spareribs)

Ashitibichi-soba (soba with flavored pig’s plotters)

Nakami-soba (soba with pig’s offal)

Those of you who prefer a lighter meal, try

Yasai-soba (soba with sir-fried meat and vegetables)

Yushidofu-soba (soba with soft tofu)

Some shops offer a set menu with various side dishes.

Soba set with seasoned rice ball, tempura,

mozuku seaweed with sweet vinegar,

and stir-fried sliced seaweed

And what’s more?  Believe it or not, you can get a glimpse of Okinawan history in the bowl of soba. Okinawa Soba is rooted in ‘Fen-Tang,’ a noodle dish which was brought from China in 1534.  Yes!  The history of Okinawa Soba dates back to the Ryukyu Dynasty era.  It is described in the ancient Chinese “History of Relationships with the Ryukyus” that ‘Fen-Tang’ was offered at the 49^th day memorial service after the death of King Shoshin, the 9^th King of the Ryukyu Kingdom in 1534.

Now that you know all about the Okinawa SobaJ, it’s time to go out and satisfy your appetite.  If you are not yet here in Okinawa, you just have to come to Okinawa to try the real Okinawa Soba!

Reiko