Food and Longevity…and Awamori – live the Okinawan way
04-Sep-2025
Category: News Stories
Okinawans use the word nuchigusui, meaning “medicine of life,” to describe their cuisine—food that heals both body and mind. Widely known as one of the world’s Blue Zones, Okinawa boasts exceptional longevity, with diet playing a key role. Rich in tropical fruits, island vegetables, and unique local dishes, the region’s culinary traditions reflect a deep connection to health and wellbeing. Visitors can explore Okinawa through its flavours, discovering how mindful eating and nutrient-rich ingredients contribute to a vibrant, long life. More than sustenance, Okinawan food is a cultural expression of vitality, balance, and the island’s enduring spirit of wellness.
Ryukyu Cuisine
Okinawan food culture blends centuries of tradition with global influences, rooted in the Ryukyu Kingdom’s history as a trade hub. The concept of champuru—to mix—defines its cuisine, combining local ingredients with adapted techniques.
Here are just a few suggestions of where to enjoy Ryukyu cuisine and Awamori in Okinawa:
Yotsutake - near to Kokusai Street of Naha City, Yotsutake is a restaurant where you can enjoy delicious Ryukyu palace cuisine while watching the traditional Ryukyuan dance. The restaurant has big capacity that is suitable for big groups.
Ryukyu Cuisine MIE - established since 1958, Ryukyu Cuisine MIE is a place where you can enjoy the traditional Okinawan cuisine. It is located near to Kokusai Street of Naha city.
Sui-Dunchi – located in Naha City, sample Awamori and a wide variety of authentic Okinawa cuisine.
Kozakura – near to Kokusai Street of Naha City, this long established izakaya restaurant serves Awamori from 47 breweries in Okinawa. A popular spot for regulars.
Awamori
Awamori is Okinawa’s oldest distilled spirit, crafted from Thai rice and black koji mold using a 500-year-old technique. Once central to Ryukyu diplomacy and festivities, it’s now enjoyed across Japan. Aged varieties, called kusu, offer rich flavor. Distilleries continue innovating, blending tradition with modern twists like gin and triple-distilled styles. Read more about Awamori here.
Contact your UK Representative for Okinawa to hear more of what this stunning prefecture has to offer: sandra@humewhitehead.co.uk
Discover more at Visit Okinawa Japan
