10 recommended lunches in Kumejima! Introducing local gourmet and popular restaurants!

Introducing recommended lunches on Kume Island!

Kume Island is a tourist destination with many things to see and do, such as marine activities in the beautiful ocean and spectacular views of unspoiled nature.

Kumejima Island has a different climate from that of Honshu, and is therefore characterized by many exquisite gourmet foods that cannot be found in Honshu.

However, first-time visitors to Kumejima may not know what kind of food Kumejima has to offer.

If you are planning to visit Kumejima in the future, knowing what foods are famous and which restaurants are recommended will add to your enjoyment.

In this article, we will introduce some recommended lunches on Kume Island.

 

You must try it! Popular gourmet foods in Kume Island

Surrounded by beautiful ocean, Kume Island has a history of building a unique food culture due to its abundant nature and environment.

Therefore, there are many possibilities to encounter unusual dishes and ingredients.

Here are some recommended gourmet foods that you must try if you are visiting Kumejima.

 

Japanese tiger prawn

On Kumejima Island, there is a seed supply center that supplies juvenile shrimps raised using deep sea water rich in minerals and nutrients.

This seed and seedling supply center has the advantage of being able to stably produce tiger prawns at aquaculture farms throughout the island.

This is why Kume Island is Japan's largest producer of tiger prawns.

Kumejima's tiger prawns are characterized by a sweeter taste and tighter flesh than those from other regions.

In addition, you can also taste the plump texture, which makes it so delicious that once you try it, you will want to eat it again.

We recommend that you enjoy a variety of tiger prawn dishes, as they are utilized not only in sashimi, but also in a variety of other dishes such as grilled, fried, and in soups.

 

sea grapes (Caulerpa lentillifera)

Known to be abundantly harvested in the seas of Okinawa, umi budou is a type of seaweed with clusters that resemble fruit grapes.

Rich in minerals and nutrients, umi budou is an addictive food with a crunchy texture and a slight seashore flavor.

Kumejima Island boasts the largest production of umi budou in Japan, which has such appeal.

Kumejima umi budou is produced by deep seawater, which ensures that the water quality is safe and the water temperature is controlled.

The effect of deep seawater, which is rich in nutrients, also gives umi budou the characteristic of being larger and more plump than those from other regions.

 

Kumejima soba

Kumejima soba, made with Kumejima miso and bean sprouts, is a must-try when visiting Kumejima.

Kumejima soba is yellow, flat, and slightly frizzled, making it easy to eat.

Although the flavor of the soup varies from restaurant to restaurant, it is generally light and flavorful, using broth made from pork bones, chicken bones, bonito, and other ingredients.

There are many restaurants on Kume Island where you can eat Kume-jima soba, so it may be interesting to compare the tastes of each restaurant.

 

10 popular lunch restaurants in Kumejima!

Restaurants on Kume Island, which often serve dishes made with Kume Island ingredients, have the advantage of offering delicious food even for lunch.

Each restaurant on Kume Island has its own unique charm, so it may be interesting to enjoy encountering a restaurant that matches your own tastes.

Here we introduce 10 of the many restaurants on Kume Island that are popular for lunch.

 

YUNAMI FACTORY

Located near the Kaneshiro Port Terminal, YUNAMI FACTORY is a restaurant with the themes of "actively using ingredients from Kumejima" and "using no additives other than the minimum necessary.

The restaurant aims to create communication and community through food, so you will have a delicious and enjoyable lunch time.

 

Features of the restaurant and popular menu

YUNAMI FACTORY is characterized by its red logo and yellow container house.

Although it is a relatively new restaurant, opened in 2015, it has been loved by many people to this day.

A particularly popular menu item at YUNAMI FACTORY is the garlic shrimp plate.

The large Kumejima tiger prawns grilled in garlic oil are characterized by their plump flesh, fragrant garlic aroma, and concentrated flavor.

It also comes with a salad and dessert for a variety of tastes.

The garlic shrimp plate is a gem that can only be enjoyed because YUNAMI FACTORY cooks its food in a way that accentuates the flavors of the ingredients.

In addition to this menu, there is a wide variety of dishes using tiger prawns, which is recommended for those who want to taste Kumejima-grown tiger prawns.

 

Basic information (business hours, address, parking)

Business hours: 11:00-17:00

Address: 1146-1 Kaneshiro, Kumejima-cho, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa, Japan (MAPgo to (a place))

Parking: Yes

 

Yukui-Dokoro Shojima

Yukui-Dokoro Laughing Island, which has a store on a hill on Kume Island, is a unique store with cute goats living behind the store.

Children will enjoy not only the food but also the chance to meet the goats.

This restaurant is very famous in Kumejima and is visited by many people every day.

 

Features of the restaurant and popular menu

Yuki-Dokoro Laughing Island is characterized by a large goat sign at the entrance of the restaurant.

The interior of the restaurant is decorated with stylish interior and accessories, creating a cozy atmosphere.

There is also terrace seating, so diners will be able to enjoy the breeze and scenery of Kumejima while dining.

The most popular menu item at Yukui-Dokoro Laughing Island is the Kurumaebi Soba, which won the Grand Prix at the Nippon-no-Treasure World Tournament.

The ingredients used in this menu, such as tiger prawns, miso, bean sprouts, and noodles, all come from Kumejima, so you can enjoy the full flavor of Kumejima's ingredients.

The soup, with its concentrated flavor of tiger prawn stock and miso paste, is a perfect match for the medium-thick, flat noodles that are entwined with it.

This is the first restaurant you should consider for lunch on Kume Island, as it offers a menu that allows you to fully enjoy the taste of tiger prawns.

 

Basic information (business hours, address, parking)

Business hours: 11:00-18:00

Address: 1372-1 Nishime, Kumejima-cho, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa, JapanMAPgo to (a place))

Parking: Yes

 

high-handed person (often used disdainfully)

Yanko~ is a restaurant with a red-tile roof that looks like a private house.

The restaurant overlooks a natural garden on Kumejima Island, which makes for a relaxing experience.

It must be easy for tourists to visit, as it is only a 5-minute drive from Kumejima Airport.

 

Features of the restaurant and popular menu

At the entrance of the store, you will be greeted by a seersucker, the guardian god of Okinawa.

The interior of the restaurant is furnished with traditional tatami mats and tables, creating a cozy and relaxing atmosphere where you can relax and feel at ease.

Incidentally, Yanko~ becomes an ordinary house when it closes for business, so visitors to the area can enjoy the rare experience of visiting a real private home.

The restaurant is known for its popular menu item, island miso bean sprout soba, which makes full use of miso and sokei bean sprouts produced on Kumejima Island.

The noodles used in this menu are kneaded with deep sea water and contain many nutrients.

The noodles are topped with a generous amount of sokei bean sprouts that cover the noodles, making this a very satisfying dish.

The soup is made using a special process that brings out a rounded sweetness.

The noodles, soup, and ingredients are the stars of the show, and the island miso bean sprout soba is a must-try for lunch on Kumejima.

 

Basic information (business hours, address, parking)

Hours of operation: 12:00 - 15:00

Address: 509 Nakadomari, Kumejima-cho, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa, JapanView in MAP)

Parking: Yes

 

young striped mullet

Located 25 minutes by car from Kumejima Airport, Kameyoshi is located in the downtown area around Eef Beach.

The menu offers a wide variety of dishes such as seafood, Kumejima soba, and Okinawan cuisine, making it an attractive place to enjoy a variety of dishes for lunch.

 

Features of the restaurant and popular menu

Kameyoshi, established in 1989, is a restaurant with an atmosphere that evokes a nostalgic feeling of a bygone era.

The restaurant has a tatami room area as well as tables, making it suitable not only for dining alone, but also for visiting with family and friends.

Kameyoshi's menu offers a wide variety of dishes, of which the colander mozuku is particularly popular.

The store's colander mozuku is a natural product taken by the owner, and by pouring Kameyoshi's special sesame sauce over the fresh mozuku, you can enjoy it just like tsukemen (noodles).

Kumejima's colander mozuku, which cannot be tasted in other tourist spots, has an appeal that will make you addicted to it once you try it.

There are many other menu items to recommend, including tiger prawn tempura, sashimi, and Okinawan cuisine.

A visit to Kameyoshi is recommended for lunch on Kume Island.

 

Basic information (business hours, address, parking)

Business hours: 11:30 - 14:00 / 17:00 - 22:00

Address: 160-39 Higa, Kumejima-cho, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa, JapanMAPgo to (a place))

Parking: Yes

 

sea route

Namaji is a popular place for locals to visit.

A wide variety of set menus are available for lunch, so you will be able to enjoy a variety of dishes such as sashimi, fried fish, and Okinawan cuisine.

The restaurant is also recommended for those who want to enjoy delicious drinks, as it offers a wide variety of alcoholic beverages, including awamori.

 

Features of the restaurant and popular menu

Namaji is known for its many delicious dishes at reasonable prices.

The restaurant also offers counter seating, so you can easily go and have a meal by yourself.

Namaji offers a variety of exquisite dishes using seafood, Okinawan cuisine, and ingredients from Kumejima.

One of the most popular menu items is sashimi.

All the sashimi, including the sweet, firm prawns from Kumejima, are ideal as snacks for alcoholic beverages.

There are many other dishes of interest, including a mouth-watering lunch menu and delicacies that are hard to find at other restaurants.

Suitable not only for lunch but also for dinner, the restaurant offers a different experience each time you visit.

 

Basic information (business hours, address, parking)

Business hours: 11:00 - 14:30 / 17:30 - 24:00

Address: 548-32, Shaimado, Kumejima-cho, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa, JapanMAPgo to (a place))

Parking: Yes

 

distance from the seam in the back of a kimono to the end of the sleeve

Located 10 minutes by car from Kumejima Airport, Yuki is crowded every day with repeat customers, both locals and tourists.

Although Okinawan cuisine is the main focus, the restaurant also offers a wide variety of standard dishes such as hamburger steak set menus and fish fry set menus.

Because of its easy accessibility and friendliness, once you visit the restaurant, you will want to come back again.

 

Features of the restaurant and popular menu

The interior of the restaurant, which resembles an old-fashioned coffee shop or diner, is characterized by its relaxed atmosphere and relaxing ambiance.

There are tables as well as a counter, so that one or more people can enjoy a meal.

Much of Yuki's menu features Okinawan cuisine, the most popular of which is Kumejima soba.

Since these Kumejima soba noodles are homemade, you will enjoy a different texture than at other restaurants.

The lightly flavored broth is intertwined with juicy tripe meat, which is matched with noodles.

Available for both lunch and dinner, we recommend that you stop by when you visit Kumejima.

 

Basic information (business hours, address, parking)

Business hours: 11:00 - 20:00

Address: 298 Torishima, Kumejima-cho, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa, JapanMAPgo to (a place))

Parking: No

 

Restaurant HANAKUME

Restaurant Hanakume, like an old-fashioned diner, is one of the most popular restaurants on Kume Island, where you can enjoy a wide variety of set meals at reasonable prices.

Since many ingredients from Kumejima are used, the restaurant attracts not only locals but also tourists.

 

Features of the restaurant and popular menu

The interior of Restaurant Hanakume has a slightly nostalgic atmosphere, with tatami rooms and a counter.

With a wide variety of Okinawan dishes and set menus, and free iced coffee, this restaurant is often used not only for lunch but also as a place to take a break.

At such a restaurant, Hanakume, Kumejima soba is loved by many people.

The light flavor of Kumejima soba noodles and the large tender meat are a perfect match.

The toppings, such as island peppercorns, can be added to change the flavor of the dish.

Restaurant Hanakume is a great place to visit when you are hungry after sightseeing, as all of the menu items, not just the Kumejima Soba, are generous in size.

 

Basic information (business hours, address, parking)

Business hours: 11:00-14:30/18:00-22:00

Address: 150-24 Higa, Kumejima-cho, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa, JapanMAPgo to (a place))

Parking: Yes

 

Parlor Three Piece

Parlor Three Piece, located just off Eef Beach, is built like a covered terrace.

The restaurant is not located inside a building, but is open to the public, creating an atmosphere that makes it easy to enjoy a meal.

It is often used by people returning from diving or as a resting spot while touring tourist spots.

 

Features of the restaurant and popular menu

As the name suggests, Parlor Three Piece is characterized by its menu of mostly light meals.

For this reason, many of the dishes are light snacks such as shaved ice and mozuku seaweed.

However, there is also a menu suitable for lunch, so you can choose whether to rest or eat, depending on your needs.

At such parlor Three Piece, spicy miso soba is a popular menu item.

The crunchy texture and sweetness of the Kume Island bean sprouts and the mildly flavored miso from Kume Island are a perfect match to whet the appetite.

The soup has a slight punch to it due to the subtle spiciness of the raayu type.

It is also topped with minced meat, which makes it a flavorful and tasty dish.

When visiting Eef Beach, we recommend the spicy miso soba noodles at Parlor Three Piece.

 

Basic information (business hours, address, parking)

Hours of operation: 11:00-15:00

Address: 160-3 Higa, Kumejima-cho, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa, JapanMAPgo to (a place))

Parking: Yes

 

Restaurant Ryu

Founded in 1979, Restaurant Ryu places great importance on creating a restaurant that is loved by the locals, and has become a popular destination for both locals and tourists alike.

Many of the menu items make use of Kumejima's local ingredients, so you will be able to fully enjoy the gourmet delights of Kumejima.

 

Features of the restaurant and popular menu

Restaurant Ryu features different types of seating like tables, counters, dug-out seating, etc.

The restaurant's interior has the atmosphere of an old-fashioned diner, which creates a relaxed atmosphere.

Kumejima soba is a popular menu item at such restaurant Ryu.

The new Chicken Soba in particular, a new menu item, is loved by many tourists.

The rich broth made from Kumejima red chicken and miso from Kumejima match to create a deeply flavored dish.

It is also topped with fried red chicken wings, a gem that makes full use of Kumejima's ingredients.

Red chicken and miso are intertwined with Kumejima soba, and once you try it, you will be addicted.

This is not the only menu item that is also very popular. Dragon Ball is another popular menu item.

Deep-fried sesame dumplings made with Kumejima red potatoes and miso have a homey taste and are handmade in the store.

Since they are also loved as souvenirs, we recommend Dragon Ball as well as Kumejima Soba when you visit the island for sightseeing.

 

Basic information (business hours, address, parking)

Business hours: 11:30-15:00/17:30-23:00

Address: 1076-2 Nakadomari, Kumejima-cho, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa, JapanMAPgo to (a place))

Parking: Yes

 

backshore lunch

Located just off Eef Beach, Backshore Ranch offers a spectacular view from inside the restaurant.

The natural taste of the exterior is in harmony with the surrounding nature, creating a gentle and warm atmosphere.

The restaurant is popular with many tourists for its delicious food while enjoying the natural beauty of Kume Island.

 

Features of the restaurant and popular menu

The interior of Backshore Ranch is designed with an awareness of the use of materials and colors that evoke nature, creating a relaxing café-like interior.

A large window on the seaside side allows beautiful ocean views and sunlight to enter through it, so you will be able to enjoy a delicious meal while looking at it.

Such backshore lunches offer pizza, pasta, and other Italian dishes.

One of the most popular is the garlic shrimp pizza.

This luxurious pizza is made with plump prawns from Kumejima Island, and the sticky dough, sweetness of the prawns, and garlic flavor are a perfect match.

Measuring about 25 cm in diameter, this menu item is hearty and is recommended for both eating alone or sharing with several people.

In addition to this menu, Backshore Lunch offers many other dishes using Kumejima's tiger prawns, so be sure to enjoy each one when you visit.

 

Basic information (business hours, address, parking)

Business hours: 10:00-18:00

Address: 169-54 Shimajiri, Kumejima-cho, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa, JapanMAPgo to (a place))

Parking: Yes

 

A rental car is recommended for sightseeing in the islands!
Book your rental car on Kumejima Island early!

A rental car is recommended for getting around on Kume Island!

It is recommended because we can move around during the trip and also at our own timing, such as early morning (sunrise), sunset, or a short trip outside to see the stars!

▼Learn more about car rentals ▼

 

summary

In this issue, we introduced some recommended lunches on Kume Island.

Lunch on Kume Island is a great way to enjoy delicious food while surrounded by the rich natural environment.

Therefore, you may discover something new by visiting various stores during your sightseeing.

We have only introduced a few of the stores on Kume Island, but there are many other popular stores as well.

To fully enjoy the charms of Kume Island, not only nature and marine activities but also gourmet food are essential.

When you visit Kumejima, visit the restaurants you are interested in and enjoy gourmet food that can only be found on Kumejima.