The Best Yakitori: Kushiya Yamashiro
👋 Haisai! I’m CULT.
Today, let’s talk about the culinary delights of Okinawa. When people visit Okinawa, they often explore the central or northern areas, overlooking the south. To be honest, the south does feel a bit less developed, and the strong waves make beach management challenging. However, it’s a favourite spot for surfers. I believe there’s no better place than the south for a leisurely rental car drive, eating, and enjoying yourself.
As of the first half of 2025, I’ve toured around 80 eateries in Okinawa, and if I had to pick the top three, one would be Kushiya Yamashiro (串家やましろ) in the south. I believe it’s a great restaurant that adds meaning to your southern Okinawa trip. Let’s dive right in.
📌 Location and Appearance of the Restaurant
The location is in the southern part of Okinawa, and it’s close to Mibaru Beach and Okinawa World, which are among the few attractions in the south that tourists can enjoy. It’s a good idea to visit after enjoying these spots. As it’s an izakaya, it only operates in the evening and is closed on Sundays and Mondays. ⏰ Opening hours are from 6 PM to 11 PM. [Google Map]
Around the restaurant, there is a dedicated space that can accommodate approximately 10 cars. Once you park and move towards the entrance, this is what you’ll see. The entrance is quite small compared to the size of the establishment. The old and shabby appearance somehow gives off a charming feeling of being on a vintage Japanese trip, which I found delightful.
This is what the interior looks like. I asked the owner for permission to take photos, and although they initially declined, they later agreed as long as no customers were in the shots, so I managed to capture a few. Unfortunately, I couldn’t capture the most important view from the bar table, which was a bit disappointing. I promise to visit again and do an open run so I can definitely show it to you next time 🤗
Okinawa is famous for Awamori, so the interior is decorated with Awamori bottles. There’s also a room in the middle that doesn’t quite feel Japanese, and it’s actually a private room. Personally, I prefer the bustling atmosphere of the bar table over the private room.
📒 Ordering from the Menu
The menu is available in Japanese and English. My blog is mostly viewed by Koreans, followed by English speakers. If you’re reading this and you’re Japanese, there’s no need for me to read it out for you, right? This is primarily for those who find Japanese difficult. Thank you for your understanding 🙇🏻
The menu items featured in this post are as follows.
- Assorted Yakitori(焼き鳥盛り合わせ): A selection of 8 pieces of assorted yakitori
- Fried Tofu(あげだし豆腐): Fried tofu served with a refreshing sauce
- Chicken Karaage(唐揚げ): Japanese-style fried chicken
- Fu Champuru(フーチャンプルー): Stir-fried traditional Okinawan dish
You can write down your order on paper, but as a foreigner, it might be more challenging to write and explain these menu items. I think it’s easier to show the food photos from this blog and order that way. I loved all the dishes at this restaurant, but the yakitori assortment is a must-try and highly recommended 👋
Here is the drink you ordered. It’s a shame I can’t enjoy Awamori or Orion draft beer since I have to drive. The food generally takes a long time to be served, so I recommend ordering everything at once. If you finish one dish and then order another, there can be quite a long wait.
If you don’t order everything at once, you might find yourself, like me, taking photos of the chopstick holder out of boredom.
🍡 Yakitori at Okinawa’s Best Eateries
This is an 8-piece yakitori. It’s hard to believe it’s only 1,000 yen. In fact, the cost of living in the southern part of Okinawa is lower compared to the central or northern areas, so dining out is rarely a burden. That’s one of the reasons I enjoy driving around the south. It’s affordable, delicious, and has a great atmosphere.
First of all, the value for money is excellent, and regardless of the price, it was the best yakitori for my taste. Each skewer suited my palate perfectly, and the seasoning was just right. As I was eating, I thought to myself that this place should be considered one of the best in Okinawa. Everyone, this place is really worth visiting, so if you’re travelling to Okinawa, make sure to go. Go twice.
After eating the yakitori skewers, you can place them in the empty bottle in front of you. The empty bottle also adds to the Japanese vibe, which I find quite charming.
Next is the fried tofu. It comes with a soy sauce-based sauce, giving it a slightly stewed feel.
Tofu dishes have the advantage of being enjoyable for everyone, making them perfect not only for those in Asia but also for our friends in the English-speaking world 😀
Next up is karaage. It’s Japanese-style fried chicken. It’s already seasoned with salt, so it’s enjoyable to eat even without any additional sauce.
The leg part is shaped like a handle, making it easy to eat neatly. It felt like the kind of meat you see in animations.
The last dish is Fu Champuru, a traditional Okinawan cuisine. While Goya Champuru is more famous, it has a strong bitter taste, whereas Fu Champuru lacks this bitterness, making it a dish that anyone can easily enjoy. In fact, it’s best enjoyed with Awamori, but unfortunately, I brought a car.
Fu Champuru is a stir-fried dish made with Okinawan produce, meat, and bread. The word “champuru” itself means “to stir-fry” in the Okinawan language.
Taking a bite of this with a sip of Awamori is simply perfect.
I’m planning to stay near this izakaya soon and dine from opening to closing. That’s how much I liked this restaurant, and I can confidently say it’s the first Okinawa eatery I highly recommend to you all.
While there are beautiful beaches in the central and northern parts, I’ll keep sharing why I need to head south. I’ll wrap it up here and return with more Okinawa dining news. Matayasai 👋
