About 40 minutes by car from Naha Airport. It is a ham and sausage store located near Central Park Avenue in Okinawa City. When you stay at a villa in the northern part of Okinawa, you will probably have to procure your own meals and have a BBQ, etc. We recommend this restaurant to villa residents at all costs!
Point 1: The restaurant suddenly won an award at the first meat fair, IFFA! What kind of restaurant is “TESIO”?
The founder of “TESIO” got his start in the culinary world through his grandparents who used to run a restaurant.
When the word “charcuterie” was not even a common word in Japan, he visited Kyoto, where he encountered the first “charcuterie” (meat processing restaurant) in Japan and was impressed by the deliciousness of the food.
He was impressed by the taste of the meat, and was inspired to start his own business in 2018, because his uncle’s property happened to be in Koza, although his hometown, Okinawa, has always had a strong meat culture.
Being in the lap of Kadena Air Base, the largest U.S. military base in the prefecture, rent is cheap and nighttime business is thriving and there are few stores operating during the day, so there seems to be little trouble with noise and smoke. And after all, there are many foreigners on the base who are accustomed to eating authentic ham and sausages and have discerning palates, so it was an ideal place to establish a business.
I thought that by opening my own restaurant, I would be able to recreate the excitement I had experienced in Kyoto.
The result of his passionate charcuterie business was that in 2019, for the first time in Japan, he entered only three products in the 1st IFFA Japan Meat Processing Contest 2019 and won two gold medals and one silver medal.
This contest has a history of over 140 years and is the Japanese version of the prestigious German meat fair IFFA. There is no limit to the number of entries, and many people enter many items, but the fact that we were able to win with only three items is truly a result of our founder’s passion for charcuterie.
Point 2: What is the product lineup of “TESIO”?
So what is sold at the stylish charcuterie, “TESIO”?
In the showcase, white hams, bacons, and original sausages made by German methods are lined up, and it is fun just to look at them.
In addition to the basic items, there are also meatloaf and sausages unique to Okinawa, such as herb, mozzarella, and chorizo made with koregous (island peppercorns), and I tip my hat to their ideas.
Some of the sausages are a bit different, such as the “cheeseburger flavor,” which is a great conversation starter during a BBQ at the villa!
There are also hams that are cut from chunks on the spot, such as the Beersinken, which contains olives, bell peppers, and IFFA gold medal-winning cubes of meat, making it a great accompaniment to wine or sparkling wine, even if you are not having a BBQ!
With such stylish snacks, you’re sure to have a fun evening!
Point 3: “TESIO” also has a food menu!
TESIO” is a charcuterie that sells processed meat products and also offers a food menu including hot dogs and drinks.
The signature item on the menu is the “Weekend Dog” (500 yen), which has also won a gold medal at the IFFA and is reputed to be the best hot dog in Japan. This is truly a “soulful dish” that is the culmination of the founder’s pride as a charcuterie (meat processing engineer) and his passion for the city of Koza, with homemade sausage, ketchup, and mustard.
It is only available on weekends, but its deliciousness resonates not only in Koza but throughout Okinawa Prefecture, and many people come out here to try it.
