This time, we will introduce the history and characteristics of Okinawa's local B-class gourmet food, "Taco Rice."

Okinawa Prefecture is the southernmost prefecture of Japan and is a place blessed with beautiful seas and abundant nature.

You can enjoy diving and snorkeling in the beautiful, crystal clear waters, and enjoy watching the coral reefs and schools of tropical fish.

The area is also steeped in a unique history and culture, and visitors can experience Shuri Castle, a representative building from the Ryukyu Kingdom era, traditional music and dance, and Ryukyu cuisine.

This time, we will be giving a thorough explanation of the delicious taco rice of Okinawa Prefecture!

What is taco rice?

Taco rice is a popular food mainly in Kin Town, Okinawa, and is a unique dish that combines American tacos with Japanese rice culture.

It is known as a dish that truly combines Western and Japanese cuisine, with taco ingredients such as spicy minced meat, lettuce, tomato, and cheese served on top of white rice.

Sometimes salsa sauce or avocado is added, and its colorful appearance is sure to whet your appetite.

Taco rice is popular among young people and tourists because it is easy to prepare, filling, and delicious. There are many variations that use local Okinawan ingredients, so it is a dish that you should definitely try when you travel.

The History of Taco Rice

Taco rice has a short history, dating back to 1984. It was created in Kin Town, Okinawa Prefecture, for people connected to the U.S. military base.

At the time, Matsubara Takehide, who ran a restaurant called "Parlor Senri," created it as a dish that would be familiar to American soldiers.

At the time, it quickly became popular among American soldiers who were looking for cheap, filling, and familiar-tasting food, and it soon spread throughout Okinawa.

Taco rice is one of the dishes that symbolizes the "chanpuru culture," a mixed culture unique to Okinawa. Without this culture that was deeply rooted in Okinawa Prefecture, taco rice may not have been created.

Nowadays, it is popular among both locals and tourists as Okinawa's soul food. It is also becoming more and more popular as an original arrangement using local vegetables and ingredients, and is supporting the local food culture.

Characteristics of Taco Rice

What makes taco rice unique is that it combines American tacos with Japanese rice.

There are few dishes that combine Western and Japanese influences in this way and turn out delicious, so this may be taco rice's greatest feature.

Another appealing point is that you can add various toppings to your liking. Some people add avocado, eggs, green peppers, and more in addition to the basic toppings of lettuce, tomato, and cheese.

Tourist spots in Okinawa Prefecture

From here, we will introduce tourist spots in Okinawa Prefecture.

Zuisen Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.

Zuisen Shuzo Co., Ltd. is a long-established store in Shuri, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture that produces and sells awamori. Here, you can learn about the traditional awamori making process and enjoy the experience of tasting it.

On the tour, you can get a close-up look at the history and manufacturing process of awamori, and you can also learn about the manufacturing and storage methods of aged awamori, which requires a long maturation period.

After the tour, there is a tasting session where you can taste the diverse flavors of Zuisen Brewery's awamori, which is popular with beginners and awamori enthusiasts alike.

In addition, you can purchase Awamori-related products and limited edition liquors that can only be bought here, so you can get a special bottle as a memento of your trip to Okinawa.

Naha City Makishi Public Market

Makishi Public Market in Naha City is a lively market also known as "Naha's Kitchen."

It sells fresh seafood, pork, vegetables, tropical fruits, processed foods, and other items unique to Okinawa, and is popular with locals and tourists alike as it offers an opportunity to experience the unique food culture.

You can also have the seafood you purchase at the market cooked at a nearby restaurant, so you can enjoy fresh food cooked on the spot, which is another appealing point.

It is also a place where you can enjoy interacting with local people and experience Okinawa's food culture and warm human kindness.

Kokusai Street Food Village

Kokusai Street Yatai Village is a food stall street located on Kokusai Street in the center of Naha City, and is a spot where you can easily enjoy Okinawa's diverse food culture.

Here you can enjoy a variety of unique food stalls, including creative dishes made with local ingredients, typical Okinawan cuisine, and food and drinks unique to Okinawa, such as awamori and Orion beer.

The atmosphere at each food stall is warm and welcoming, and the natural interaction between tourists and locals is an appealing feature. It is a special experience for tourists to experience Okinawan food and human kindness.

Access to Okinawa Prefecture

From here, we will introduce how to access Okinawa Prefecture.

If you are traveling from Tokyo to Okinawa Prefecture, we recommend flying. There are direct flights from Haneda Airport to Naha International Airport, which takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes.

If you are traveling from Osaka to Okinawa Prefecture, we recommend flying. If you take a direct flight from Kansai International Airport to Naha International Airport, you can reach the prefecture in about two hours.

Location of Okinawa Prefecture

summary

This time, we introduced the history and characteristics of Okinawa's local B-class gourmet food, "Taco Rice."

Taco rice is a fusion of American tacos and Japanese white rice.

We also mentioned that Okinawa Prefecture is dotted with tourist spots where you can experience the kindness of the people who live there, as well as spots where you can enjoy Okinawan cuisine and awamori.

We hope you will all visit Okinawa Prefecture, which is full of charm!

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