The longevity of Okinawans in Japan has been the subject of global study over the years. If we think that a Japanese diet is limited to rice and fish, we are very wrong. So, let’s try to find out what lies behind a style of eating that is largely responsible for the advanced age that those who live in Okinawa often reach.
The secrets of Okinawan cuisine
While, in general, Japanese cuisine is characterized by fish and rice as the mainstays of its basic diet, Okinawa emphasizes delicious fresh food based on local ingredients.
Okinawans eat pork and sweet potatoes. In this archipelago of tranquil islands, the culinary influence of the rest of Japan merges with Chinese cooking techniques imported over centuries of international influence.
The best place to familiarize yourself with the wide range of ingredients and dishes that make up Okinawan cuisine is the Makishi Market in Naha City. On the ground floor, you can wander among the stalls, allowing you to enjoy and even try everything from pig ears with soy sauce to what they call fresh sea grapes, which are seaweed coated in citrus and soy sauce that explode in your mouth like caviar. Upstairs, the market offers a varied tasting menu at the various restaurants available, allowing you to sample mouthwatering delicacies such as fresh sea urchins or mangrove crab.
Chanpurū: A staple of Okinawan cuisine
Another highly recommended local dish is the savory tofu and egg stir-fry characteristic of Okinawa, also known as Chanpurū. It’s ubiquitous throughout the islands, and you’ll find it in a variety of flavors: goya chanpurū, made with bitter gourd; fu chanpurū, made with wheat gluten; and even Spam chanpurū, made with Spam cold cuts, which began appearing on Okinawan menus after World War II due to the American presence.
One of the best places to try chanpurū is at Emi no Mise, located in Ogimi Village, in the north of Okinawa’s main island. Not only does it make delicious and hearty goya champuru, but this small, rustic restaurant is famous for its “Longevity Menu,” featuring dishes made with local ingredients, most of which are grown in the village itself. This is the place to eat if you want to live a long and healthy life, as Ogimi Village is home to the majority of the world’s centenarians.
A wide selection of healthy foods
As part of the incredible culinary experience that Okinawa has to offer, we recommend trying different offerings such as shikuwasa citrus juice, packed with vitamin C; a bowl of traditional squid ink soup, with a viscous black broth packed with nutrients; or a piece of Okinawan tofu, which contains three times the protein found in mainland tofu.
If you have a sweet tooth, look for the delicious breads and pastries at Yaedake Bakery, all made with whole wheat flour and free of eggs, dairy, and preservatives.
Izakayas are a must-visit
For a fully immersive experience in local life, we recommend a neighborhood izakaya bar, such as Urizun in Naha. Izakayas are tavern restaurants where locals come to relax over a bite to eat and a glass of Okinawan rice wine called awamori. You must try traditional side dishes like salt-pickled island shallots and awamori-fermented tofu, which have a strong flavor and are known as “Okinawa Camembert.”
To commemorate this whole gastronomic experience, you can always pick up souvenirs like a bottle of awamori with an island snake at the bottom for the more adventurous. For those with a sweet tooth, a box of “black” sugar cubes from Okinawa Island. And for the health-conscious, a box of beautiful Okinawa sweet potato tarts from Okashi no Porushe. These small bites are filled with delicious purple sweet potato paste. The sweetness and vibrant purple color are natural, and the tarts are made entirely with ingredients from the island.The longevity of the people of Okinawa, Japan, has been the subject of global study for years. We share their secrets with you.
