Approximately 1 hour and 32 minutes by car from Naha Airport. The store is located on Kouri Island in Nakijin Village, northern Okinawa’s main island. It is a unique take-out store that serves porridge in the morning and shaved ice, sandwiches, and parfaits using locally grown fruit in the afternoon. What kind of restaurant is it?
Point 1: Where is “O ICE CAFE” located? Why close after 5 years?
O ICE CAFE opened in May 2022 in the Kouri Fureai Plaza near the Kouri Ohashi Bridge in the northern part of Okinawa’s main island.
The owner is an immigrant from Nara Prefecture, famous for its many shaved ice stores, and has already lived there for more than 10 years. He has eaten all the delicious food in Okinawa and opened the store with the pride of Nara, the shaved ice kingdom.
The owner, whose portrait is printed on the store’s logo and cups, is a dark character owner with afro hair.
Point 2: What are the popular dessert menus at “O ICE CAFE”?
O ICE CAFE is located in Kouri Fureai Hiroba, a popular tourist spot, and has been very popular since its opening in 2022.
Not only tourists but also locals have become addicted to the most popular item, “Yotsuboshi Strawberry Shaved Ice” (1,600 yen).
Using locally grown Yanbaru strawberries, the ice is fluffy and, shockingly, “not cold. The shaved ice is visually outstanding, with custard cream coming out of the inside and topped with creamy espuma and crumbled pie.
The secret of the delicious taste is said to be the use of flavorful strawberries from Yanbaru and Nara’s famous water.
Other menu items include a smoothie made with watermelon from Nakijin (880 yen), a visually striking shaved ice with a pineapple cut out of it, a bottled drink that is fun to look at and delicious to drink, cassata ice cream with fruit pulp (600 yen), and many other items that would look great on Instagram!
The menu looks so delicious that you can’t decide on just one.
Point 3: “O ICE CAFE” – Introducing the dining menu!
O ICE CAFE specializes in porridge in the morning. The congee is made from healthy medicinal herbs and 16-grain rice, with condiments such as hijiki, ume plum, bitter gourd, ume plum, and shiso leaves.
There is also congee made with artha and boiled tofu (550 yen), all of which sell out quickly.
Other items include Yanbaru Spicy Chicken (S size, 400 yen), Beniimo Tandoori Chicken Sandwich (800 yen), and Thick-Cut Bacon Triple Cheese Sandwich (800 yen).
All are pricey for Okinawa, but a recommended set is the “Sandwich Half Set” (1,000 yen), which includes a Beniimo Tandoori Chicken Sandwich, Yanbaru Spicy Chicken, and a choice of drink.
The jarred “Nakijin Vegetable Pickle” (880 yen) is a good souvenir!
