Approximately 31 minutes by car from Naha Airport. This Thai restaurant is located in a bustling corner of Chatan Town. Some may think, “Isn’t curry Indian? Some of you may be thinking, “Isn’t curry Indian? What kind of curry is this Thai-Okinawan fusion of Massaman curry?
Point 1: The signature dish of “Okinawa Spiced Curry Tropical Massaman” is Thai curry!
The signature dish at Okinawa Spice Curry Tropical Massaman, located in the bustling area of Chatan-cho on the main island of Okinawa, is Thai curry.
Massaman” curry means “Muslim” and was introduced from the Islamic world to southern Thailand, where it has been fused with Thai food culture and taken root.
The restaurant uses 18 kinds of spices and herbs ground in the restaurant, as well as coconut to create a spicy curry, and uses Okinawan brown sugar and island pepper as secret ingredients.
There are two types of massaman curry: the “Tropical Massaman Curry” (1,500 yen and up), made with coconut milk, rich peanuts, and 18 spices ground in the restaurant, and the “Diamond Massaman Curry,” limited to 15 servings and decorated with colorful paprika, which must be Instagram-worthy!
Spicy and rich, yet addictive with the flavor of jasmine rice and the creamy smoothness of potato puree. You can choose from beef, pork, or shrimp, as well as the level of spiciness.
What makes this curry different from Indian curries is the use of fresh herbs in addition to spices.
Another difference from Indian curry is that it is served with plenty of pak choi on top.
This original curry, which can only be eaten in Okinawa, has many fans, and there are many repeat customers, both locals, and tourists, who want to try it every time they come to Okinawa.
Point 2: The Tom Yam-type menu of “Okinawa Spice Curry Tropical Massaman” is also recommended!
The signature dish at Okinawa Spiced Curry Tropical Massaman is, of course, the coconut and spicy massaman curry, but other dishes are as good as massaman curry.
However, there is another menu item that is as good as the Massaman Curry.
Tom Yum Kung” (900 yen), a classic Thai dish with an addictive spicy soup, and “Tom Yum Paella,” an arrangement of Tom Yum Paella, are representative of the Tom Yum menu.
Tom Yam Paella, in particular, is paella cooked in Tom Yang Kung soup and is a dish in which the spicy but rich flavor of Tom Yang Kung is turned into paella. The toppings include tomatoes, shrimp, and a large amount of pak choi in the middle of the paella.
The menu looks delicious!
Point 3: “Okinawa Spiced Curry Tropical Massaman” also has porridge!
Okinawa Spiced Curry Tropical Massaman” is a Thai restaurant, but to our surprise, they have a porridge menu. Not only regular congee (500 yen), but also Tom Yam congee and Gapao congee (700 yen each), and sets (+500~800 yen) with additional drinks, desserts, and Agu pork dumplings are also available!
You can also add toppings such as pak choi, steamed chicken, cheese, etc. for +100 yen, so you can have your Thai-style porridge!
It may be surprising to eat Thai food in Okinawa, but it may be a good idea to have a gusto of spicy food in between Okinawan dishes.
