A Few More Okinawa Delicacies

As previously mentioned, Okinawa is known for its pork and the citrus fruit shikuwasa. Additionally, Okinawan cuisine includes a lot of seaweed, including a very unique type called sea grapes. Although I was rather wary at first, I enjoyed the interesting texture and the taste wasn't too strong, especially when served with some type of dipping sauce.

Okinawa also has its own type of soba noodle. It is quite different from soba in other parts of Japan, where the noodles are thin and dark brown (due to buckwheat flour). The soba in Okinawa was thicker and chewier, and though it wasn't bad, I prefer the more common type of soba.

When we visited Shuri Castle in Naha, we also tried the castle's special tea set. Seated on the floor in traditional style, we were served lovely jasmine tea and four types of local biscuits/cakes in different flavors, including peanut. The staff gave us a brief explanation in English, though they were much more thorough in Japanese.