This year marks an important milestone for those who identify as Uchinanchu, the name for the community of Okinawan immigrants and their descendants in Hawaii. It’s the 125th anniversary of Okinawan immigration to the islands!
The 43rd annual Okinawan Festival — held Aug. 30-31 at Hawaii Convention Center — celebrates this heritage with performing arts, cultural education, arts and crafts, historical exhibits, genealogy research and, of course, food.
Keep the celebration going by supporting Okinawan (and the Okinawan-at-heart) restaurants for the sixth Okinawan FEASTival from Sept. 1 to 15. These eateries will be serving limited-time Okinawan dishes. Check out the full list of participating restaurants and their specials at hawaiiokinawans.com/about.
Chillest Shave Ice
Looking for a cool treat? Stop by Chillest Shave Ice (3408 Waialae Ave. Ste. 102) for its limited-time shikuwasa shave ice, featuring an Okinawan lemon-lime syrup topped with a caramel kokuto (Okinawan black sugar) drizzle.
It will be available Sept. 1-15 (11 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursdays-Mondays; 1-9 p.m. Tuesdays).
For more info, visit @chillestshaveice on Instagram.
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Beer Lab Hawaii
Sip on a limited-run of Karii, an Okinawan sweet potato ale, available at all Beer Lab Hawaii locations starting Aug. 29 until sold out.
Its Pearlridge Center location (98-1005 Moanalua Road) will serve oxtail soki soba and beni imo creme brulee.
Also try the andachicken at its Puck’s Alley location (2600 S. King St. Ste. 107), which is fried chicken coated in andagi batter. Patrons can also enjoy birria Okinawan taco rice.
The food will be available Aug. 29 to Sept. 15. Visit @beerlabhi on Instagram for more info. Preorders for Karii open Aug. 28 at beerlabhi.com.
Zigu
ZIGU (413 Seaside Ave. first floor) will have several specials. Decide between Okinawan mozuku shooters, Kurobuta pork rafute and Okinawan yakisoba.
The mozuku shooters feature mozuku (seaweed) mixed with umami dashi and ponzu in a shot glass topped with chile pepper and a raw quail egg.
Pair the dishes with a limited-time special awamori cocktail.
Top it all off with an Okinawan sweet potato creme brulee for dessert.
These specials run from Aug. 30 to Sept. 15. To make a reservation, contact 808-212-9252.
Visit @zigu.hi on Instagram for more info.
Masa & Joyce Okazuya
Okinawan abura miso is seasoned miso using crispy pork — and it will be available in addition to the abura miso musubi at Masa & Joyce Okazuya (45-582 Kamehameha Hwy.) Sept. 1-15, except Tuesdays.
There will also be a selection of jyu shi me (Okinawan rice soup), andagi, Okinawa soba, pigs feet soup, Hawaii-Okinawan-style oxtail soup and Okinawan sweet potato mochi.
Call 808-235-6129 to preorder and set the date and time of pickup.
Aloha Andagi
Aloha Andagi will be serving up the iconic Okinawan treat 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 20-21 at a pop-up at Marukai Dillingham’s (2310 Kamehameha Hwy.) covered parking lot, while supplies last. There will be regular and Okinawan sweet potato andagi as well as boroboro jushime (Okinawan porridge).
For more info, visit @alohaandagi_llc on Instagram.
Sunrise Restaurant Hawaii
Looking for a grab-and-go option? Sunrise Restaurant Hawaii (525 Kapahulu Ave.) will offer its Sunrise Okinawan Bento, which includes yakisoba, rafute, goya champuru (an Okinawan stir-fry) and rice.
Other takeout options include pig feet soup, nakami soup (pork or beef intestines), spare rib soup, Okinawan miso soup and Okinawan soba.
Set quantities will be available Sept. 2-8, except on Sunday. Preorders are required.
To place an order, call 808-737-4118. For more info, visit @sunriserestauranthawaii on Instagram.
Kapa Hale
Looking for a grab-and-go option? Sunrise Restaurant Hawaii (525 Kapahulu Ave.) will offer its Sunrise Okinawan Bento, which includes yakisoba, rafute, goya champuru (an Okinawan stir-fry) and rice.
Other takeout options include pig feet soup, nakami soup (pork or beef intestines), spare rib soup, Okinawan miso soup and Okinawan soba.
Set quantities will be available Sept. 2-8, except on Sunday. Preorders are required.
To place an order, call 808-737-4118. For more info, visit @sunriserestauranthawaii on Instagram.
AloJapan.com