Yanbaru's meal ticket vending machines outside.
Awamori in a cup from Yanbaru's vending machine. Cute shisa logo.
Yanbaru Shokudo is a no-frills working man's type of place where solid Okinawan dishes are served at a good price. You purchase your meal ticket in advance from vending machines out front - pictures help you decide what to order. There are hearty set meals including rice, stir-fry and soba for little more than 9 or 10 bucks.
Have a seat at the counter and hand your ticket to one of the cooks on the other side. There are no waiters so you pour your own water from one of the plastic pitchers - or get awamori in a cup from one of the machines, which is what I did. It was cheap but not too bad - love the shisa (Okinawan lion dog) on the label.
I ordered a soba and goya champuru (stir fry) set that also came with cha-han (fried rice). My sister had a similar set except her champuru contained bean sprouts, cabbage and fu - dried wheat gluten, used often in Okinawan cuisine. These man-size meals were too much even for me to polish off, but I left very satisfied.
I have been reading your latest blog entries with tasty interest, your driving me crazy... the food looks so good.
ReplyDeleteI will be in Osaka this fall and I already have a long list of favorite restaurants to visit.
One of my favorite meal ticket vending eateries was at a Osaka train-station. This one had a counter and tables plus a waiter who took your ticket and brought you a water pitcher and glasses. Fun and yummy. The best "fast food"
How many tines a year do you get to visit Japan ? it seems you where just there ! Lucky... so jealous !
cheers, parsniptulfu
Hi Parsnip, thanks for reading and commenting! I don't get to go very often, at most once a year, but most likely won't make it this year - just too expensive. These recent entries are from my trip last October - I'm behind with posting. Can't wait to hear about your Osaka adventures! :)
ReplyDeleteaki-chan!! ^_^
ReplyDeletei was day dreamin bout japan ~ da people 2day and so browsing your wonderful blog! that soba looks to te mo oi shii!!!