Jahana Kippan - Okinawa Sweets

CONTRIBUTED BY EUGENE MCFADDEN

One of the greatest things about Okinawa is the way it hides all manner of little cultural treasures and experiences; if one knows where to look it is simply amazing what one can find, often in the most unlikely of places.  

One such great find sits just off Kokusai Dori, at Shobosha Dori (Fire Station Street); here lies the Jahana-Kippan shop, makers of fine and traditional Okinawan sweets.  These sweets, Kippan and Tougatsuke, have a history that dates back to the courts of the Ryukyu monarchy and are still made in the shop using traditional methods that have been preserved in the family for many generations.  The shop itself has been owned and run by the same family for five generations with the sixth generation currently in training to take over.  

Kippan itself is an orange-based sweet that works well with Japanese tea, a sweet dessert wine or even just a simple quality coffee.  It also works well as an after dinner palate cleanser.  

Tougatsuke is made from locally grown winter melons (tougan or shibui) and is very sweet.  It goes very well with coffee and can compliment a number of dishes, including cheese and pork.  The family has recently launched a green tea powder coated Tougan which is proving to be very popular. 

I love my food and must confess that when it came time to select either the Kippan or the Tougan, I simply bought both.  I nibbled the Kippan over several days with my morning coffee and the Tougan I tried with several dishes. Tougatsuke is my favorite of the sweets and I have tried it both by itself and with a variety of dishes.  I can heartily recommend serving it on crackers with a good blue cheese as the flavors work surprisingly well together.  

The staff of the shop are very friendly and are able to speak English as well as Japanese.  Husband and wife team, James and Hisano, whose family has been making sweets for 130 years, run the shop together since relocating out to Okinawa from England last year. They are usually on hand to offer a friendly welcome or just help out with directions to the shop on the phone if needed. The shop is an experience in itself with shelves adorned with Okinawan treasures and pictures of famous clients, including Princess Kiko of the Japanese Imperial Family and Yamada Yuki, the creator of the Okinawan hit TV series, Ryujin Mabuya. 

As well as a physical shop, the family also operates a website from which sweets can be ordered for delivery.  The website is in both English and Japanese and there are regular updates on their blog and Twitter accounts.  It is also possible to call the shop and place an order in English or Japanese.  

Hours:  9:30am - 7pm, Closed Sundays

Telephone: 0988673687

Payment:  Yen or USD

Directions:  The Jahana Kippan shop is located just off Kokusaidori ('International Street') in central Naha, about halfway between the City Government Offices (Shiyakusho) and the junction with Starbucks and the main covered market entrance. At the International Plaza Hotel turn right up the hill, walk past the fire station on the left and the shop is a further 50 metres up on the right hand side. If taking a taxi ask for "Matsuo Shobosha mae Jahanakippanten".   Or click here for map.

Organic and Natural Shop - Tenbusu

CONTRIBUTED BY MARY RICHARDSON

Looking for a local shop that supplies organic food staples?

Well, you’re in luck. One afternoon I was driving along in Okinawa City and noticed the Organic and Natural Market. 

 

I stopped to check out this tiny store and found a goldmine of organic and macrobiotic diet foods, including a buffet of home-cooked prepared dishes.

On that day, some of the store’s offerings included vegetables such as lettuce, onions, carrots, daikon, kale, and several different varieties of mushrooms. I didn’t happen to notice any fruit, however.

Inside the freezer cases, I found organic milk, chicken, bacon, pancetta, other pork products, and even some meats I couldn’t quite identify.  The fully stocked aisles featured organic beans, grains, pasta, sauce mixes, and eggs.

The prepared dishes included tofu stir-fries, salads, onigiri (rice balls), quiches, and sata andagi (Okinawan donuts). In fact, I observed one woman filling up her bento boxes from home with a yummy healthy looking vegetable medley.  I also noticed a selection of bakery items such as breads and sweet buns as well as organic teas.

Moreover, one section of the store is devoted to an alternative treatment area, where there were shelves of vials of homeopathic remedies, natural oils, lotions, and soaps.  The homeopathic practitioner does speak English and is available for acupressure and acupuncture appointments and other types of counseling. Her name is Nobuko Irei and her number is 098-973-3193.

Overall, the store had a funky health food vibe to it, and the sales people were extremely friendly (though English was limited). The store also seemed to be genuinely committed to healthy eating and living practices, so even if they don’t happen to sell a product there, they would be a great resource for finding that obscure organic item in Okinawa.

Store Hours: Monday to Saturday 12:00 noon to 8:00 pm.

Directions: Take a left turn out of Sgt Major gate on Camp Foster (where Westpac is) and keep going downhill. Turn left at the 329 intersection and go straight. You will pass Living Design Square on your right and keep going in the direction of Comprehensive Park, but not all the way to the park. You will come to a big intersection with a McDonalds on the right side and a Hotto Motto on the left. Turn right at that intersection and continue straight towards Awase Shopping Center on the right. Just beyond the Awase Shopping Center (with ToysRus) two or three buildings down, you will see the Organic and Natural Market on the right side. Go to the next intersection and make a U-turn. There are several parking spaces in front.

Chuuka Manjuu - Steamed Buns

CONTRIBUTED BY KATHRYN CALAGUI

One of the things that I love most about Okinawa is how convenient it is!

I am originally from New York City, and what I miss most about New York are the steamed buns from Chinatown. Growing up, I called them siopao (show-pow), which means steamed bun in Filipino. In Okinawa, a steamed bun is called chuuka manjuu. I asked around where I could find them here, but no one really gave me a clear answer. To my surprise, I found them at Lawson's and in Family Mart. How convenient!! There's one of those on almost every corner!

I love chuuka manjuu. It is one of my most favorite types of fast food.  And my son loves them, too!

 

But what exactly is in a chuuka manjuu? Well, inside the bun, there is roasted pork sauteed with onions, garlic, ginger, and I believe there's some soy sauce in there, too. They have a variety of different buns with different fillings. If you are unsure what's in it, just look at the picture beside it, so you can get a general idea. I've also tried one that was "pizza" filled and it was equally delicious. (The one thing to remember when eating a steamed bun is to remove the paper lining underneath first. I've seen too many people make this mistake, so I figured I'd tell you first.)



So, if you're on the road and need a quick bite to eat, I highly suggest to making a stop at Lawson's or Family Mart. You'll usually find these little buns at the front counter right by the cash register.

Côte D’or Wine Selection Store

 
If you’re a wine lover, head down to Côte D’or Wine Selection Store.  Open for just over a year, Côte D’or offers wines from Australia, California, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, and Japan.
This Japanese wine called Sai Sai koshu is produced using a thousand year recipe.

 

There are also several wines from the Nagano area.  If you are looking for a specific flavor, ask one of the expert sommeliers.
Côte D’or carries an extensive selection of champagne for that special occasion.  There is a chiller offering sake and awamori, and even some fine cheeses.  Côte D’or also has a small variety of Port, Sherry, and liquors.

 
Best of all, Côte D’or hosts wine tastings every Sunday between 2 and 7 pm - no reservation necessary.  Prices vary according to the wine tasted.

If you make a purchase, Côte D’or will give you a point card where you earn ¥1,000 discount for every ¥10,000 purchased.  Wines start at ¥800, although most seemed to be in the ¥2,000 to ¥3,000 price range.

Directions: Route 58 heading south towards Naha. From Camp Kinser's main gate/gate one, go 1.5km and turn left at light (Ameku intersection). Turn right at the fourth stop light just after the Shoe Plaza, approximately 1.5km from 58.  Go approximately .1km and turn right into the parking lot.  Côte D’or is on the left side of this strip mall.  If you pass the Okinawa Kaiho, you've gone too far.

Phone: 098-869-2047

Hours: Daily 1100 - 2100 except Japanese holidays

Website: www.cotedor-okinawa.net

Payment: Yen, credit card

Pick Your Own Strawberry Fields

It's strawberry season in Okinawa!

Sure, you could go to the store and buy a package of the sweet red fruit that may have been shipped over from somewhere else, OR you could seek out the local Blue Sky & Green Field Farm. Located in the northern part of the island, this strawberry farm lets you pick your own. 

We went last weekend, and sampled the offerings. We planned to make strawberry shortcake with them, but let me tell you, the delicious perfectly ripe berries didn't even last the ride home!

The farm charges 1,300 yen for each adult and 800 yen for each child (500 yen for little kids) to pick and eat for 20 minutes. They hand you a basket and scissors, expecting you to eat all your berries within that time frame. I thought they'd let us take home free of charge whatever we didn't manage to eat, but I guess they figured that we'd clean out their supply completely. 

In any case, for 350 yen, you can buy a small container for your overflow strawberries to take home. If you decide not to pick, but you still want to buy the berries for take away, a person will go and pick the berries for you while you wait for about 10 minutes.

The Blue Sky and Green Field Farm also sells other kinds of fresh vegetables and they appear to offer horseback riding nearby.

Getting to the farm takes about an hour and a half and is a bit of a journey. Rather than driving up there for the sole purpose of strawberries, you might combine this excursion with Hiro's Coffee Farm for a fun day outing.

When we arrived, they asked us if we made a reservation to pick berries (we did not), but they seemed happy to let us go ahead and pick anyway. In any case, the number to reserve your time is 0980-43-2542. They didn't speak a lot of English at the front desk, but they did round up one of the farmers who happened to have a lovely British English accent!

You can probably expect there to be strawberries until the end of February. 

Getting there: Take 329 north to Camp Schwab. Once you pass Schwab, continue on the 329 for 3.3 km. Take a right on the 331 towards Higashi Village and continue for 23.8 km. The road will be very curvy in parts and you'll pass some gorgeous ocean vistas on the way. As you get close to the destination, look for a pineapple factory on the left side. You'll go around a bend and you'll pass over a bridge. Slow down here and be prepared to take a right after the bridge. On the left side, you'll see a white building and a two story wooden observation deck and a sort of park. Right before you get to that, take the first Right after you pass over the bridge. You'll drive along the water for a bit and you'll pass some businesses and houses on the left side. The right side will be a shallow water area, where you'll see kayaks and small boats. Follow the road to the fields and look for banners leading to the strawberry farm. The banners are red and white and have strawberries on them. There seem to be different roads leading to the farm, so if you just head towards the greenhouses in the distance, you'll probably be okay. Continue to look for the red and white banners. Parking area is on the left side and the entrance is on the right. Good luck!

Look for this view when you enter the fields and head towards the greenhouses.

Entrance to the strawberry farm; parking is across this entrance on the left side.

Zukeran Egg Shop and Zoo

I know unusual and mismatched business combinations exist out there in the world. I've danced at a Disco/Rodeo in San Antonio, Texas and I recently walked by an apartment coffee shop/cat hospice in Tokyo. Frankly, I respect creativity in small business and I do appreciate the intention to serve multiple consumer needs all at one time. 

However, imagine my surprise to discover another unique commercial hybrid- a fresh egg shop and zoo right here in Okinawa.

The way I came to find this place is somewhat amusing. I was at a local farmer's market in the process of buying a carton of eggs a while back. An Okinawan woman approached me out of the blue and recommended that I not buy those eggs. There was a much better egg shop nearby she explained. The friendly woman was so enthusiastic about those eggs, in fact, that she even offered to drive me over there to see for myself...

Okay, so I like spontaneity as much as the next person, but I just wasn't too into the idea of getting in a stranger's car that day. Instead, I asked the egg lady to give me directions so that I could go on my own.

And that's exactly what I did, and what a surprise. This place definitely sells eggs and definitely showcases animals. Lots of them including a llama, ostrich, various monkeys, birds, bats, turtles, ducks, and others. 

:

 There is also an abundance of eggs and a small bakery selling chiffon cakes and the largest cream puffs I've seen on island. On a side note, an Okinawan friend of mine who loves baking cakes and brownies swears by the quality of these eggs. 

To be honest, this place is a little wacky. In no way is it a first-class zoo-- it's not huge, the cages are a little dirty and parts of it smell, well, like animals... but it is unique, popular among Okinawan familes, perfect for little kids to mill around, it's a quick excursion, and best of all, it's FREE!!!

So if you're hankering to bake a cake soon and want to let you kids loose for a while, check out the Zukeran Egg Shop and Zoo.

Hours: 9:00 am -7:00 pm

Directions: Go out Gate 3 Kadena and drive straight past Camp Shields until you get to 329. Turn Right on the 329 and continue straight until you reach the Chibana intersection. It's quite a big intersection, but look for the Chibana sign overhead. Turn Left at the Chibana intersection and drive straight until you see two large Pachinko parlors ahead. The first is Orange and the second is Yellow and White. The Zukeran Egg Shop and Zoo is between the two Pachinko parlors, but it's a really narrow road. Look for this sign and turn Left there into the parking area.

 

The Closest Thing to Costco - minus the other fun items.

This week's blog is a stretch for me as I don't spend much time in places such as these!  My partner-in-crime, Dasha, was so excited to share this post idea with me and I couldn't resist her enthusiasm.  See, for those of you who do not know me, grocery shopping is not on my top 10 list of things I enjoy doing.  Don't get me wrong.  I'm not saying you all like grocery shopping either but I really don't like to even step foot in a store that sells food because that could lead to some actual cooking taking place in my home.  A few years back I was given the perfect magnet for my refrigerator that reads: "I only have a kitchen because it came with the house."  I also own a sign that reads: "I serve 3 meals...frozen, microwave and takeout."  I even went as far as to request our kitchen in 29 Palms be converted into a scrap booking room.  That request was not received with any hopes of coming true and our renters, I'm sure, are very thankful.  It's funny because our kitchen was the highlight of our home and I spent a ton of time in it - it was my office and was great for overflow scrap booking supplies!

That being said, I know kitchens and stores that keep them stocked are necessary evils in my life.  And, for those of you who actually visit your kitchen, beyond the frozen English muffins in the morning and cold water throughout the day, A-Price is well worth a visit.  We found some cool stuff that even the non-chef in me could get excited about. 

For the rest of you, this is a great place to find bulk items such as tomato sauce, interesting items like beniimo flakes and the ever popular fresh produce.  You could almost described this store as a mini-Costco without the membership, tire shop, clothing section, books galore, gadgets galore and the samples available on the weekends.  This store caters to restaurants,hence the bulk items, but the average at-home cook is definately welcomed!

What never ceases to amaze me is the customer service the local Okinawan people always extend and how even in a grocery store the manager can make me laugh.  He insisted that I take a picture of the salad dressing display as I assume these items were on sale.  Sales are hard for me.  If I am craving Japanese-Sesame dressing I'm going to buy it regardless if it's on sale.  None-the-less, this store offered a wide variety of dressings - some on sale and some not!

The bulk items were equally impressive!  Who doesn't need a bag of uncooked macaroni that requires two people to hold?  Or a bag of unidentified, local delicacy that is almost as big as you are?

One last practical note.  The store in Okinawa City became very helpful in my search for a key ingredient in a mixed drink I was trying out.  I was searching for Litchi (this is how it's spelled on the bottle) Liquor and though the Nago store did not carry it, the Okinawa City store did!  Side note: Lychee seems to be the correct spelling, according to my on-line sources.  No matter how you spell it, the liquor tasted great and completed my ingredient list without needing to drive to one more store! 

Special Note:  This store takes Yen and Credit Cards.

Locations:  Nago, Urasoe City (Kinser Area), Naha and Okinawa City (outside Kadena Gate 5).

Hours: Monday - Sunday 9:30 a.m. - 7p.m.  Only closed on New Year's Day.

Directions: The Okinawa City store is out Gate 5 of Kadena.  Pass the Mister Donut and start looking for A-Price on the left.  It is across from the Sakumoto Home Center.  The Nago store is .5 kilometers past 84 going North on 58 after you have driven through the main part of Nago - near the Max Value.

Yakumitsu Honpo

Please give a big hug to our newest editor on the block, Larissa! You can read more about her on the About Us page.

Their name means Chinese Kanpo Medicine but what it means to you is the sweet taste of honey.  We found ourselves, my partner-in-crime and I, drawn to this small store and café in the Plaza Shopping Center.  This little sweet shop is unique by allowing you to taste test 12 different kinds of honey.  It’s like being at a 31 flavors of the honey world – minus 19 flavors.

The shop manager, Shinya Maetoh, was such a gracious host as he explained each different type of honey and that honey itself can be a good alternative medicine for the human body.  He continued to share that they search out the highest quality, pure organic honey selected only from choice herbal flowers.  They are very meticulous in harvesting their honey and specifically collect it in the morning when it is very thick!

This small store is packed with jars of this delightful, no sugar added, Chinese honey for purchase.  Each flavor coming in three sizes.  We each purchased the lightest and thinnest honey that was recommended for tea and the various bread choices we have for breakfast.  I believe we paid around Y500 for the smallest jar.  Our purchase was carefully wrapped and placed in a simple brown bag which would make a great gift.  The one thing you won’t find from this store is locally “grown” honey as it all comes from China.  We tried almost all 12 flavors and our collective favorite was the Lichee Honey.

This store has a café connected to it with honey themed food and drinks.  Maybe our to-eat editor will do a future post on it!

Location: Plaza Shopping Center on 330.  On the second floor across from Rogers.

Special Note:  They accept both Yen and Visa and there is parking available in the underground parking lot.

Hours: 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Directions:  From Foster take 330 North past the intersection to turn to Awase.  Follow along for a short distance until you see Plaza Shopping Center on your right.  If you want to park in the underground parking area you will need to turn into the driveway before the signal and Kentucky Fried Chicken.  As mentioned in this post the store is on the second floor across from Roger’s.

Tus Amigos

There was a time when my "go-to" foreign language was Spanish. If I needed to speak a language other than English--any language--my brain would shuttle Spanish words up to my lips and out of my mouth. I'm sure I've befuddled many an Okinawan with my Dondes and Por favors. But on a recent trip to Tus Amigos, an empanada/bake shop on 330 near Gate 2 Street, I was confronted by just how much things have changed.

Carmen Yakabi, an Okinawan-Peruvian, stood behind the counter when I entered. I knew she was Peruvian because a friend had told me, but I asked her anyway to break the ice. First I asked in Japanese, which didn't go so well, probably because my Japanese is so busted. Then I tried English, even worse. Finally, I pulled out my Spanish. That did the trick. We were conversing in Spanish! It had been a LONG time since I had spoken Spanish and it felt so good to be back again. But it didn't take two or three sentences before...  My.... sentences...became like...this. Stilted. Choppy... And full of Japanese!  Which I guess is my new go-to foreign language.

Nevertheless, it was awesome speak with Carmen, even if for a few moments.  She's just one of many nikkei (Japanese emigrants and their descendants) who was raised in South America.  Many nikkei hail from Okinawa, and there are large concentrations in countries like Peru, Argentina, and Brazil.  As Okinawa's economy improves though, more and more families have been returning to their homeland, bringing Latin American language, food, and culture with them.

In fact, when I was at Tus Amigos several middle-aged Japanese women walked in, sat down and started speaking to each other in Spanish. Another woman added to the hodgepodge of languages when she started chatting me up in English, telling me about her BINGO habit and how she used to work on base for 10 years.  She must have won that day, because she wanted to pay for my purchases.  (I told her that wasn't necessary and ordered a piece of sweet potato pie for me instead.)

What I ordered was a bunch of fried things.  I wanted an empanada.  It was HUGE.  When I asked Carmen if that's how they do them in Peru she told me Tus Amigos had adapted the size--they were much smaller in Peru, but that the filling was the same (adding, however, that each family has a different filling recipe). The one I got spicy meat and cheese filling.  I also got a fried mashed potato ball with cheese center--potatoes, cheese and fried.  Three of my favorite things.  

My favorite thing there though, and what I go back for are the fabulous alfejores--two small crumbly cookies dusted with powdered suger, with a wonderful caramely dulce de leche filling.  I hate to create impossible expectations, but I think they are just terrific.

By the way, I'm not sure, but I think if you ask you can wait to get your items fresh from the fryer.  I didn't do that, but the other ladies were all waiting patiently on the bench while Carmen's husband was frying something in the back.  Also so you know, there is no parking, just pull up to the curb at storefront.  No tables either.  It's like street food with a roof!  Oh, and one more thing--I asked Carmen if there were Peruvian restaurants that she recommended, she said there aren't any anymore.  But if you've seen one, let us know I first got here I went to a Peruvian rotisserie chicken place near Yellow Box but haven't seen it since.  I guess it closed down.

HOURS AND INFO:

Open 11:00-20:00  CLOSED Sundays

098-930-0168

DIRECTIONS:

From Kadena - Head out Gate 2 and turn right at the Koza Music Center onto 330.  Tus Amigos will be on your right not too far down from Gate 2, after the Pachinko Parlor w/ a yellow crown and before the Rte 24 intersection/Climbing Gym.  You'll actually either have to make an illegal U-turn after it at the Rte 24 intersection or turn onto 24 and turn around to get back onto 330 and then look for Tus Amigos on your left after the climbing gym and before the Pachinko place.  (Is that confusing enough for you?!)

From Foster - Turn left onto Route 330 going north to Kadena.  Look for the intersection for Rte 24.  There's a Climbing Gym on the corner.  Start looking for Tus Amigos on the left after the gym and before the Pachinko Parlor.  Often there's a taxi or cars parked at the curb out front.

Cafe Boulangerie de Paris

Wowee! I haven't written in months. Y'all have been making some awesome contributions. I'm sure Peter's Place Peter, John of the Wine and Tea shop, 50's Cafe folks and Perestroika all appreciate it. Keep 'em coming in. toeatinokinawa@yahoo.com  Love hearing all of the good eats from you guys -- especially as it gets more and more difficult to go hither and yon with the babe. 

Actually we (my baby and I) did make it on a little field trip a few weeks ago though that made me all excited and wanting to shout its praises from a mountaintop. I think I went back to the shop like twice that same week such was the deliciousness of their food and beverage.

Their food being my favorite thing (after coffee) -- baked goods.

It was a gorgeous day. The north was calling. My husband was diving and I had baby duty.  Where could I go that would be new and interesting, yet not devolve into a crying fuss-filled mess? Suddenly I remembered. Ah! Rene told me about a good bakery, up near the Renaissance. Maybe I could stop there, pick up a croissant or two and take them down to Zanpa Beach, which is kinda near home. Perfect. Off we went.

The sign for the bakery can be seen right from 58 on the second floor of a concrete slab of a building --somewhat of a hotspot for mainland Japanese tourists, incidentally.  It houses several food stalls downstairs -- soba, Okinawa donuts, zenzai and the like, and also quite a nice produce market.  On the weekend it is packed with tourists snapping up Okinawa grown fruits and veggies.  They also sell gorgeous flowers.  So if you are having a dinner party you can get your fresh produce, flowers and dessert right here.

This is not to say it's bad to go on a weekend.  In fact the bakery seems to offer a greater variety of treats then, but as it's upstairs away from the hubbub it manages to retain a sense of calm and tranquility.

In any event, Gabe and I braved the crowds and the lure of dragon fruit and goya and headed up the small staircase in the back.  I was hot and irked that I'd initially brought a stroller, which I had to dump back in the car when I couldn't find an elevator or ramp up.  But then I smelled it.  Ahhh...the scent of chocolate.  Then I saw it.  Row after row of items that looked like this:

and this:

and this:
 

all baked right here:

Wow.  A nice woman came from behind the counter and offered to help me as my hands were full with baby.  She took a tray and some tongs and asked me what I wanted.  Hmmm...Gabe lunged for the chocolate chip croissant thing I was eyeing, and lickety-spit his hand was in it.  Okay, I guess we'd start there.  I got that chocolate chip thing, a croissant, a cheesy asparagus filled something, a roll with pecans, and the best most delicious torte of caramel doused pecans.  Oh. my. gosh.  I couldn't stop.  The lady looked surprised, "for my husband,"  I said sheepishly.

We took the tray to the counter where I spotted their wood-burning oven and racks of freshly baked pies, breads and cakes. Then I saw that they also served several different coffees.  Then I got the total of my bill.  Okay, I can't remember now exactly what it was, but seriously for all that plus the coffee it was less than 1000 yen, which is really good for off-base.  This was all too good to be true.

But it wasn't.  Gabe and I sat down at the sofa where he ate his yummy cheerios and I took a sip of the Italian coffee I'd ordered.  It was FANTASTIC.  Fresh, full, delicious.  I looked up at where they had a buffet set up.  It was a pasta lunch buffet with bread, salad, pasta and beverage for 680 yen (that's it!)  I was amazed when I saw a lady take a still half full coffee carafe from the hotplate and replace it with a new carafe of fresh coffee.  That explained the taste.  They cared about their coffee.

The pastries--they were excellent.  No, I didn't eat them all.  Yes I did save some for my husband, 'cause I'm a good wife like that.  But let me tell you, that pecan torte thing.  Heaven.  The crust, or whatever it is, is like this thick shortbread.  And that asparagus thing was really good too. 

A couple non-food shots:

 

Gabe and I eventually made it to the beach...in a fantastic mood, I might add.  And since that visit I've made it back to Cafe Paris a couple times, but never for the buffet.  On one trip I bought a fresh cheesecake there for about 1000 yen.  It was small -- served about four-six slices, but light and perfect for my husband's birthday dinner.  But the best thing is that you can buy a bag of day-old pastries for 300 yen! I'd say there probably about 5 or 6 in there, depending on which bag you get.  They are all different.  And the prices might vary a bit too.

HOURS AND INFO:

Open 11:00 - 19:30 (Lunch buffet 11:30-14:00)  CLOSED Mondays

DIRECTIONS:

From Kadena, Foster, Kinser -- Head north on 58 toward Nago.  Pass Kadena Circle and the turn-offs for Rte. 6 and Rte 12.  After you pass the Renaissance Hotel, you'll get this gorgeous ocean vista on your left and on the right see two concrete buildings -- the first with a big wooden boat in the second floor window, the second with a red roof and the sign "Cafe Boulangerie de Paris" -- that's where you want to get to.  Just after you see those buildings and just before you get into Onna/Nakadomari, turn Right at the traffic signal. Then immediately on your right you'll see a big parking lot. You can turn in there to park.  Go inside the building to the stairs in the back.  The cafe will be on the second floor.