About a minute’s drive from Naha Airport. It is a souzai store located in “Ginten-gai” in Teruya, Naha City. The Sata Andagi (Okinawan dumplings) fried by an old man who has been in this business for more than 50 years are exquisite! Tempura and the three-piece set of sweets used for Okinawa’s ceremonial endowments are also available!
Point 1: In Ginten-gai! What is the location of Souzai no Ten Sanko?
Souzai no Ten Sanko” is a delicatessen located in Teruya, Okinawa City, central Okinawa Island.
It is located in an arcade called “Ginten-gai” and operates in a nice, folksy atmosphere.
The owner, who has been in this business for more than 50 years, moved here from Nanjo City more than 30 years ago, and since then it has been loved by the locals.
It takes 40 minutes from Naha Airport via Okinawa Expressway.
By bus, first take Ryukyu Bus No. 111 to “Ikemuto,” then take bus No. 62 from the Ryukyu Bus stop, which is a 5-minute walk away, and get off at “Koza. It is a 1-minute walk to the restaurant.
The trip takes 1 hour and 15 minutes, but it can be said to be easily accessible in spite of the transfer.
The store is located in a corner of the arcade past the shuttered street, marked by a sign that reads “Ginten-Gai. It is said that the area used to be crowded with delicatessen stores, but there are not many stores selling delicatessen products anymore.
The name of the store, “Sanko,” was given because there are three people in the family who have the Chinese character “Sachi” in their name.
Point 2: “Souzai no Ten Sanko” from tempura to sata andagi!
Souzai no Ten Sanko sells a wide variety of Okinawan tempura, large Sata Andagi, bento boxes, and sandwiches.
Tempura with the unique Okinawan flavor of the batter is sold at convenience stores, and not all tempura is delicious, which is a little disappointing, but this restaurant’s tempura is crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, making it outstandingly delicious!
The Sata Andagi (Okinawan dough cake) is about the size of a woman’s fist, but it too is soft and has just the right amount of sweetness!
The baked sweet potatoes, which are sold by the gram, are also very tasty!
Not only the items on sale but also the items in the store are decorated with Okinawan colors, making it an enjoyable shopping experience for tourists as well.
Point 3: There is also a “Souzai no Ten Sanko” three-piece set for the conclusion of the ceremony!
Souzai-no-Ten Sanko also carries sweets used for “yuso” (a ceremonial gift).
This is a set of three sweets: sataa andagi, kataharambu, and machikazi. The sataa Andagi and Machikazi are usually sold, but the Kataharambu is made only when ordered.
While Sata Andagi is a popular deep-fried pastry representative of Okinawa, Kataharambu, and Matukaze are unknown even among Okinawan people.
Kataharambu means “one belly ache” and is considered to be a food symbolizing a man and a wish for the prosperity of offspring. It requires a great deal of skill to fry it, as one side is thickly fried and the other side is fried like a rice cracker.
On the other hand, Sata Andagi is symbolic of women.
Shofu is a baked pastry that is a loud pink color and tied like a ribbon. These sweets are made by kneading syrup and flour, baking them, and tying them into ribbons while they are still hot. They are also available in stores, but be careful, as they are fragile.
Souzai no Ten Sanko (Souzai Shop Sanko) in Teruya, Okinawa City, is an Okinawan-style souzai store that sells large Sata Andagi, bento boxes, sandwiches, tempura, and even a three-piece set of yuzu sweets.
It is loved by locals, but tourists are especially encouraged to visit this deep store where you can feel the real Okinawa.
