Okinawa Cuisine｜Shimabutaya: Highly Recommended Agu Pork Hot Pot and Tonkatsu

【Okinawa Dinner Diary｜Delicious Agu Pork, A Unique Hot Pot Experience Different from Taiwan】

After checking into our hotel on the first night in Okinawa, my husband and I decided to explore the area on foot for dinner instead of taking the train. From the Daiwa Roynet Hotel in Kumoji, we walked about 2 kilometers. Initially, it seemed far, but the journey through quiet alleys, unknown riverbanks, and old residential streets made the walk enjoyable. Before we knew it, we arrived at our destination.

The riverbank we passed by was stunning under the evening sunlight, with shimmering reflections on the water.

After about 30 minutes of exploring Okinawa's streets, as the city lights began to glow, we found the restaurant "Shimabutaya," known for its local Agu pork hot pot and tonkatsu. The exterior was impressive. My husband mentioned that the restaurant had thousands of online reviews with high ratings, so it seemed promising.

We pushed open the door and began our first meal with some gesturing to communicate. The interior decor was more refined than I expected, with colorful glass lamps hanging from the ceiling, Ryukyu-style tiles and wooden carvings on the walls, and clean tables set with ceramic bowls and condiment jars. As soon as we entered, the staff greeted us warmly with a smile.

Although their tone was friendly, I couldn't understand Japanese. This restaurant required customers to scan a QR code to order. While this is becoming a trend, I find it a bit inconvenient.

📱 Ordering Mishap
The restaurant encouraged customers to scan a QR code to place orders, but we couldn't get it to work after several attempts. Eventually, the staff brought out a tablet to help us order. Amusingly, even the tablet took a while to load. My husband chuckled at the situation. We had already decided at the entrance to order the ¥4380 "Agu Pork Hot Pot + Tonkatsu Set."

🍲 Hot Pot and Side Dishes
The side dishes were self-serve, with four options: seaweed, pickled radish, tofu, and an unknown salad (I skipped one of them). Although the portions were small, the variety was satisfying, and the flavors were good. There was also self-serve island tofu, which was rich in soy flavor and had a smooth texture.

The hot pot broth was simple, made with only kombu, unlike the rich broths in Taiwanese hot pots. It was light and almost understated. The Agu pork slices were tender, beautifully marbled, and free of any gamy taste, with a subtle sweetness. However, as someone who values flavorful broths, I wondered if this minimalist style was typical of Okinawan hot pots or if I just hadn't experienced a more diverse hot pot style in Okinawa yet.

I recall having a similar hot pot style years ago. Strictly speaking, Taiwan offers a much wider variety of hot pot options. My husband found the dipping sauce particularly enjoyable with soba noodles.

Of course, the Agu pork was truly delicious. It would pair wonderfully with a wasabi soy sauce.

🥢 Tonkatsu and Drinks
In addition to the hot pot, we also had tonkatsu. The golden crust was thick and crispy, producing a satisfying crunch with each bite, while the meat juices slowly spread in the mouth. Delicious.

My husband ordered a beer, but after two sips, he frowned and said, "It's a bit bitter." I took a sip and agreed that it had a slightly bitter aftertaste. But that's okay—it’s part of the Okinawan experience. After all, beer during travel doesn't always have to be perfect.

💳 Payment and Service
At checkout, we discovered that credit cards were accepted. I used my LINE Pay card, which converted to about 1247 TWD. For Japanese dining standards, the price was reasonable.

The staff were very polite, and as we left, they came out from behind the counter to bow and thank us. At that moment, I felt embraced by Okinawa's gentle hospitality.

🚶♀️ Reflections on the Walk Back
There’s been online discussion about whether Taiwanese businesses use five-star reviews to boost ratings. This restaurant also offered an incentive for customers to leave reviews by giving a free dessert. Despite this, the service was genuinely friendly and courteous. Our first meal in Okinawa left a positive impression.

📍 Restaurant Information
Okinawa TONKATSU Dining Shimabutaya Kumoji
しまぶた屋 Shimabutaya Okinawa Tonkatsu Dining Kumoji Branch
Located between Yui Rail's Miebashi Station and Kencho-mae Station in Naha

🚶♀️ About a 2-kilometer walk from Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kumoji
🍲 Recommended Dish: Agu Pork Hot Pot + Tonkatsu Set (¥4380)
🥗 Self-serve side dishes available
💳 Credit cards and LINE Pay accepted
🍺 Beer is slightly bitter—choose carefully
🕓 Dinner reservations recommended
💬 Review Reminder: Leave a QR code review in-store to receive a free dessert.