Well, my parents just hopped on a plane today, back to North Carolina after a 12 day visit to the island.  The last time my dad was here was in, like, the ’70s, while in the service.  Since I don’t think he ever made it past Gate 2 Street and this was my mom’s first ever trip to Asia, I had a lot to show them.

In true Kelly form, food factored heavily into the picture.  Hell, I’ve been taking mental notes on what restaurants/bars/bakeries I’d bring my parents to ever since I moved here.  The cream puff joint?  Ami’s awesome izakaya?  Mintama’s perfect, fluffy gnocchi?  Choices.  So, when mom and dad finally bought their tickets, I made up a little "Tour de Okinawa" itinerary for them and labored over the appropriate daily dining/activity pairings.  In my world, this is a serious feat of organization.

Well, whaddaya know. We didn’t end up doing half of the stuff I’d had in mind, but that’s beside the point.  The point is that we went out to eat.  And on the ride back to the airport, I got moms and pops to give up the goods.  What’d they like?  What sucked?  Could they please enlighten the readers and future mom-and-dad-hosters of Okinawa Hai?

They sure could.  Here’s lowdown.

Place #1 Bambohe – "the grill in the middle of the table place"

Bambohe was our first dining experience together on the island.  It’s a yakiniku restaurant down near Kokusai Street that we picked out ’cause it’s a) near Kokusai Street b) a good intro into Japanese food for my non-fish eating parents c) fun  d) cheap.  There’s no menu necessary.  Just get a tray and load it up with vegetables, raw meat, salad, etc.  Take it back to your table and start cooking your food on the grill in the middle of it.  Here’s what the ‘rents had to say.

Mom:  "Loved it!  Great fun!  Great variety and you can sit around and yak."

Dad:  He gave this restaurant the "highest rating for fun."

Mom:  "A good place to learn how to use chopsticks because you’re at your private table and not self-conscious."

*See Aviva’s post for directions and great, detailed info on Bambohe here.

Place #2  Yomitan Story (Yomitan Monogatari) – "the macho beer place"

Yomitan Story is this awesome izakaya in Yomitan particularly popular with Japanese tourists to Okinawa.  In my opinion, the ambiance is A+ #1.  My hubby and I wanted to take mom and dad here mainly for the amazing atmosphere and also for the "macho beer", which is served in beautiful liter(!)-sized Okinawa pottery mugs.  The awamori (brought to your table in a gorgeous pottery bottle, which you can’t buy, I’ve asked, but you can rent, which we did) proved to be another popular beverage for the evening.  The food is Okinawan:  think fatty pork, goya, and raw fish.  But, there are enough items on the menu to cover westernized palates too.  To that end, I’d highly recommend the benimo balls, somen noodles, definitely the fish crepe (even for non-fish eaters), and the chicken.  Try the goya champuru too.  Oh and there’s an English menu.  The parent’s take:

Dad:  "The best for authenticity and atmosphere…the service was quick.’

Mom:  "And even if you don’t like the food, you’re so overwhelmed by how good the pottery is, you don’t care."

Dad:  "I was impressed by the macho beer place just because of the atmosphere.  I’d go back there again."

Mom:  "If you told me I was gonna eat pigs foot, I wouldn’t have believed it!…The noodles (somen) were to die for!

*Take route 6 past Torii Station toward Cape Zampa.  When you see the BIG Fisherman’s Wharf sign on the side of the building (a Lawson’s?) turn left.  Follow the road to the Fisherman’s Wharf restaurant.  Yomitan Story is right across from it.  Here’s a picture of the entrance here.

On a bummer note, they’re really sorry that they don’t allow kids.  So, if you need an excuse for a babysitter, here you go.  Grab your in-laws, parents and friends for a "grown-ups night" at the Story.  And don’t forget the number to a daiko.

END OF PART I