CONTRIBUTED BY MONETTE EAMES

So it's another toasty, summer day in Okinawa.  A day at Araha Beach and you're wanting something chilly and refreshing to accompany that ocean breeze. You're craving something sweet and cool, but you're tired of the usual shaved ice by Pirate Park.  You don't want to get another soft drink from the soda machines.  So what is there to do?  Why not try something a little out of the norm?  

Take a short walk and head north on Araha beach side walk.   Right before you go over the bridge, you will find Tropical Café Bar Sea Dragon right beside the canal.  With a little peek inside, you’ll see that there’s not much—a couple of stools and tables and barely any decorations.  When we stopped by after having dinner across the street at Jet City Burgers, it just so happened that it was Tropical Café Bar Sea Dragon’s first day of business.  When we walked in, there were a bunch of people in turquoise shirts sitting down and we thought they were customers.  However, once they saw us, they all dispersed to the counters and greeted us with smiles and bows and Konichiwas.       

The menu is simple– Soft serve ice-cream, shave ice, or bubble tea. Snow Ice (shave ice) comes in mango, milk, or strawberry.  There was a part of the menu next to the Snow Ice flavors that seemed to be more flavors, but when we asked what they were, the man told us that they were toppings–chocolate, strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, and milk. The shave ice is not the typical shave ice that you usually get everywhere.  You know, clumps of crushed ice topped with sugary, candied syrup.  Here, the ice pieces look as if they were literally shaved with a razor.  They melt in your mouth quickly, but not before you notice that the flavor you picked has a touch of cream in it– as if they mixed some kind of milky cream with the flavor you picked and froze it, only to take it out to shave it.  

Although we did not order toppings on our Snow Ice, they gave us mangoes on the side.  And with the prices of mangoes in Okinawa, 500 Yen for the shave ice and the mangoes was a steal!  The tapioca drink was a relaxing, fresh approach to a drink. It takes a little getting used to the first time, but it does get addicting.  However, be careful, because like my first time with the drink, I almost choked as when I slurped, a few tapioca balls snuck their way through that huge straw and into my throat!  

The people were very courteous and friendly.  This place hits the spot when you’re craving something yummy and cool after a day at Araha.  We can’t wait to go again!

Directions:  From Foster Gate 4 (Spot Gate), turn left and go straight.  You will cross 58.  At ETWS, turn left.  Turn Right at Silver Shop/ Sunflower Apartment. Or if you know where Jet City Burgers is, it’s right across.  

Hours:  Mondays- closed; Everyday- 11am to midnight

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