International Street Sanukiya
👋 Haisai! It’s CULT here.
Today, I’d like to tell you about the Sanukiya restaurant on Kokusai Street in Okinawa. To get straight to the point, this is a place I visit quite frequently, and I even had dinner here today. It’s one of the restaurants I visit most often on Kokusai Street. The food is not only delicious but also affordable and served quickly. That’s why it receives great reviews from groups of Korean men travelling together.
Because we… want to enjoy a decent meal and quickly move on to explore fun things. For those who prefer a slightly more Japanese vibe than Okinawa, the atmosphere of this place will likely appeal to you. The menu is filled with Japanese mainland dishes that have little to do with Okinawa.
📌 Location and Opening Hours
The restaurant is located in a corner of Kokusai Street. It’s about 300 metres from the entrance of Makishi Market, which is considered the heart of the central area of Kokusai Street. With Miebashi in between, it’s very accessible for those who have booked budget-friendly accommodations. It’s not too far for those staying at the Collective Hotel, JAL Naha, or Hyatt Regency either. From my place, it’s a straight-line distance of 350 metres 🥰
The opening hours have been recently updated, and it’s now open from 11 AM to 5 AM. It’s a great spot for udon after a night of drinking. There are many famous izakayas around here. [Google Map]
Okinawa International Street Dining Spot Sanukiya
The sign remains the same as ever. About 8 years ago, I spent around three weeks on my first trip to Okinawa, and this Sanukiya restaurant left a very good impression on me. Just like the information on the sign back then, it was fast, cheap, and tasty, and it remains unchanged today. It’s always a consistent restaurant. Back then, the prices were much cheaper than they are now, but even so, it’s still affordable 👍
This is the interior of the Shinukiya restaurant.
When people visit Okinawa for the first time on their initial trip to Japan, they often feel disappointed because it doesn’t seem very Japanese. I think this restaurant is perfect for filling that gap. There are many traditional Okinawan restaurants nearby, and even souvenir shops that sell only Okinawan products, making it a place with a strong Okinawan vibe. However, this place feels just like any restaurant on the Japanese mainland.
And there are many people who love this kind of atmosphere, and I also really enjoy it.
When I visited, they were already preparing some menu items. This restaurant has three main categories of dishes. They focus on udon, soba, and curry, and they offer a variety of these three dishes, which means the food is served very quickly. Perhaps that’s why the pre-made curry stands out, and it’s incredibly delicious.
If you’re from Europe, you might find it a bit unusual! Barley tea is freshly brewed and served each time you drink it. Of course, if you’re from Korea or Japan, you might not think it’s a big deal. Having lived abroad for 12 years, I’ve experienced various cultures and can share diverse stories. Don’t worry too much as the water is free. By the way, this barley tea is a flavour that even Westerners can enjoy comfortably. It’s like a beer without the carbonation and alcohol, perhaps?
The lady working here doesn’t speak English, but if you request a menu, she’ll provide a simple translated menu. It’s written in English with Korean annotations, but it’s straightforward enough to read in English. As mentioned earlier, there are only three categories on the menu, so it’s not extensive. Just choose what you fancy! Prices start at 200 yen for two inari sushi, with other items ranging from 450 to 850 yen.
🍜 Delicious Sanukiya Dishes
For reference, I’ve tried every single dish at this restaurant.
I’ve taken photos of everything, but some of them were posted on weather posts, and I can’t remember the exact dates they were taken, so there are a few I haven’t uploaded. It’s not difficult, so please enjoy at your leisure.
By the way, this is Kitsune Soba. It’s a very simple noodle soup with soba noodles, katsuobushi broth, fried tofu, and tempura crumbs. If you prefer thinner noodles than udon, you’ll enjoy it this way.
Next up is Kitsune Udon.
The only difference from the Kitsune Soba above is the type of noodles. Kitsune Soba uses soba noodles, while this one uses udon noodles. Personally, I prefer udon when it comes to hot broth, as I think it pairs better. It’s not spicy or overly strong, so it’s a dish that Westerners or people from Southeast Asia can enjoy comfortably. In Korea, even children can easily eat it!
Next up is Zaru Soba.
Among noodle dishes, Zaru Soba is my favourite, followed by Udon. These days, Zaru Soba is quite popular in Korea too. For those who are new to it, you dip the noodles into the sauce located at the top right. You can mix spring onions and wasabi into the soy sauce, then dip the noodles in and enjoy. I’ll continue to introduce this in other menus as well. I have many photos of Zaru Soba hotspots, so if you keep following my blog, you’ll definitely want to try it at least once.
Next is Kake Udon.
It is the most basic form of udon. This is a simple udon without any additional ingredients. Recommended for those who want a light meal.
Next up is the Ebiten Udon.
It’s the most expensive item on the menu at Sanukiya. This dish features Kake Udon topped with two pieces of shrimp tempura, Ebiten. When you pick up the tempura with chopsticks, the batter slightly comes off, and eating it with the broth is incredibly delicious. The tempura is tasty, the udon is delightful, and the broth is just perfect!
Next up is the curry udon.
It’s a dish with curry poured over udon noodles, and I’ve noticed that whenever I come to Sanukiya, it’s mostly the elderly who order this. The taste isn’t specifically for seniors, but it’s always the older folks I see enjoying it. It’s delicious. The curry at Sanukiya is always tasty.
Next up is curry rice.
When you order food at Sanukiya, this is probably the quickest dish to arrive. That’s because curry isn’t made on the spot but is pre-prepared. It feels like a home-cooked meal from mum and is perfect for when you’re short on time. As I’ve mentioned several times, the curry here is delicious.
Next up is Katsu Curry, which features a curry rice topped with tonkatsu. It’s a menu option where you can enjoy a few more pieces of tonkatsu with your curry rice. Since the tonkatsu needs to be fried, it takes a bit longer to be served than regular curry rice. If you’re in a hurry, this might not be the best choice.
The last dish is inarizushi, which is a type of sushi with tofu skin. It’s 200 yen and is quite filling if you’re still hungry. However, if you visit during the awkward time between lunch and dinner, it might be sold out. They restock it when preparing for the evening service, so if it’s available, it’s great to have, and if not, you can always come back another time. I had this inarizushi again today.
It’s a dish that Westerners, Middle Easterners, and people from Central Asia can enjoy without any hesitation. It’s something everyone likes.
What do you think? How about having a quick and affordable meal at Sanukiya? If you enjoy this kind of atmosphere or are travelling with a group of guys, I think it’s almost a must-visit spot. It’s a bit like Kimbap Heaven in Korea, isn’t it?
That’s all for today! I’ll wrap it up here and come back tomorrow with more Okinawa travel information. Matayasai 👋
