CONTRIBUTED BY KELLYERACE
So, a bunch of the Oki Hai gang decided to make a field trip a couple of weeks ago to Arin Krin, “the Garlic Restaurant”. Folks have been searching for it on the website here, but we have yet to post a review. Well, we had to remedy that situation! And so we hopped in a couple of cars and headed south, breath mints at the ready.
As usual, the parking situation took awhile to work out. I ended up parking around the corner on the street, stalling my car in the process. There are only about four spots in front of the restaurant, so I’d recommend carpooling if you are in a big group.
I had made reservations, and we went on a weekday, so we were seated quickly. If you are in a large group and/or planning on dining there on the weekend, I’d certainly recommend calling ahead. The decor isn’t remarkable — wooden tables and dim lighting, but the scent of garlic permeating the air lends to the ambiance. There used to be a tatami section. That’s been done away with and replaced by five or six tables. I personally am kind of disappointed by that development, since tatami reminds me that I’m in Japan and, now that I have a baby, I appreciate having tatami for him to roll around on…but oh well.
We were seated in the new section and Aviva went to work compiling a list of what we wanted to order. I don’t remember what it all was, because we got a whole mess ‘o food, and far be it from me to do anything professional like, say, bring a notebook. Or take home her list, for that matter. But, I’ll share with you my personal Garlic House faves and a few standouts of the evening. For me, it is imperative to order the garlic pizza. If you don’t, then I mean, why even go. I also get the spicy fries. They’re not really that spicy, but have a kind of sweet, sticky sauce on them. Yummy. The third item is my “wild card”, usually something green like the garlic spinach, but it’s open.
I thought the deep fried garlic was delish, although not everyone agreed with me. I just like fried. The roasted garlic. How can you go wrong with that? The tuna avocado salad, still in the skin, very tasty. I wasn’t so much into the garlic pasta, which was on the bland side to me. But, I believe, the garlic mushroom pasta was favored by some in the room.
Regarding ordering: Because the portions are more like tapas size rather than full-on meals, I recommend getting several items. If it’s a big group, you can get a sampling of everything and then just split the check. If it’s just two of you, I think three items is probably enough, depending on what you order. (The pizza is pretty filling – fried garlic, not so much.) They also have no problem having several separate checks at one table if you choose. They’ll just take your name and that’s your ticket. When you’re done, take it to the cashier and pay up!
Somehow, we were able to polish off all of our food (thanks Joelle’s hubby!) AND have room for desert. Some garlic ice cream, maybe? No…desert is Big Dip, the big Blue Seal ice cream shop down the street. We heaved ourselves up from the table and paid up at the cashier. (I racked up like a gazillion stamps in my Arin Karin stamp card! Yeah!), then took a walk up the road for our icecream. It’s a little bit of a hike, you’ve got to go south on 58 and walk over the pedestrian overpass and down a bit more. After all that food though, it feels nice and refreshing. Plus, you get to catch up with the folks that were way down on the other side of the table that you didn’t get to talk to. I think an ice cream trip to Big Dip is an integral part of the Arin Krin experience. (I was lucky to have a fantabulous sponsor when I arrived to Okinawa almost three years ago, Karen, who introduced me to Arin Krin when I was fresh on the island and instilled that garlic/ice cream tradition in me! Thanks Karen!)
So, fat and happy with garlic and icecream we slowly made our way back to our cars, which happily weren’t towed, and bid our farewells. It’s always nice to have an excuse for a weekday get-together, don’t you think? And so with that, I leave you all with two questions: #1 What is your fave Arin Karin menu item? #2 So, where the heck do you park?
Thanks to Aviva for the photos provided here!
HOURS and PHONE:
Open 5pm-1am
(098) 877-3971
DIRECTIONS:
Head south on HWY 58. After Camp Foster (and before Kinser) 58 will split and the middle lanes go up into an overpass/bridge thing. Don’t go up, stay to the left passing an A & W. At the first light where the overpass ends you’ll see Arin Karin on the corner on your left. It’s covered with crazy drawings of little garlic men. (There’s a big Pachinko Parlor with a Micky D’s on the right.)
PARKING:
Parking here is quite difficult as the restaurant has only about four spaces. Make sure you don’t park at the building across the street. I usually park on the street around the corner (along the chainlink fence.)
I love this place. I highly recommend the garlic rice and the shrimp spring rolls. I also enjoy the garlic steak. Ok so I really love almost everything that is on the menu. I usually do the not so legal thing and park in the lot that is for the Chinese restaurant. Other than that I believe there is a parking garage somewhere in that area, not positive though.
I love this place. I highly recommend the garlic rice and the shrimp spring rolls. I also enjoy the garlic steak. Ok so I really love almost everything that is on the menu. I usually do the not so legal thing and park in the lot that is for the Chinese restaurant. Other than that I believe there is a parking garage somewhere in that area, not positive though.
I LOVE Arin Krin. We are going next week. We always have reservations, a must. Our favorite is the spicy fries and we always order something new. We have to try everything on the menu.
As far as parking…. I don’t think we have ever parked legally ::shhh:: because everwhere says, “No Arin Krin Parking!”. We park at SkyLark or Autobacs across the street (same side as the restaurant).
Hands down…The Garlic Pizza. I agree, why even go if you’re not going to order the Garlic Pizza?! Yum-O! I myself, do enjoy the Deep Fried Garlic also. Nobody else at the table will eat it but me. There’s usually no make-out sessions scheduled for after Arin Krin.
The deep fried garlic-cheese mashed potatoes! YUMMMMM. Arin Krin is one of our favorite places to go for super cheap eats. We usually go on Friday and always have a reservation, so the wait has never been an issue.
Parking…we’ve parked at the Chinese restaurant, and the Pachinko parlour across the highway with no problems. The last couple times though, we’ve looped around the block and parked in an alley about a block south of the restaurant. One of these times I’m sure we’re going to walk out and see a big ticket smacked to our window.
We love ordering the cheese-in-mashed potato, a pizza or two and I’m especially fond of the garlic baked fish (vaguely healthy and very user friendly, no bones or weird bits).
Unless we can score a car park out front we usually park in The Autobacs/Chinese Restaurant across the street. Sometimes we will go to Autobacs and buy something small so we are technically a customer
We’ve never got a ticket there though.
I’ve just started my second stamp card – I feel very proud of myself but vaguely gluttonous.
My favorite is the Baked fish with garlic butter! It is fabulous and I always get the very cheesy and spicy spring rolls, which are actually shaped like triangles! YUM
OMG! Best place ever on Okinawa. Must have menu: Garlic Chicken Mushroom Pizza, Deep Fried Garlic with Garlic Aoili, & Shrimp Spring Rolls with Chili Sauce. I can be there in 24 hours…I so wish. I go back to Oki in a heartbeat for some Arin Krin!
NO problemo Kelly! Arin Krin is one of my top five MOST favorite dining establishments on this island.
The beef with veggies and the sweet and sour chicken are two great non-garlic dishes.
Also, keep in mind that you will walk out of Arin krin reaking of garlic so don’t wear anything that you can’t throw in the wash when you get home. No dry clean only!
You HAVE to try the radish salad. Sounds strange but it’s Delish. Also love the fried mashed potatoes with cheese inside, baked fish was good, basically everything mentioned except my husband had a beef stir fry and it was ok but somewhat bland, but everything else there I’ve tried was so good!
we usually park at the chinese resturant parking right on the left hand side of the street. once you make that left and arin krin is on your right, the parking lot you are looking for is the 1st left after the resturant. i’ve been here for awhile now and we have never gotten a ticket for parking there. we just don’t snag all the good spots that are close to the entrance, that wouldn’t be fair since we aren’t going to their resturant. my must have on the menu is baked garlic with the corn. yuumm
I just heard this restaurant is now closed. Does anyone know if this is true?? I hope not since we wanted to try it out when my husband got back from being deployed.
I just heard this restaurant is now closed. Does anyone know if this is true?? I hope not since we wanted to try it out when my husband got back from being deployed.
I just heard this restaurant is now closed. Does anyone know if this is true?? I hope not since we wanted to try it out when my husband got back from being deployed.
We were just there on the 6th for my husband’s birthday, so if they’ve closed it’s been very recently.
I can’t imagine why they would though, they seem to do really good business.
No they’re not closed. I just made reservations for this weekend. You made my heart stop for a second!! LOL!
Thank you sooo much ladies! A group of us had wanted to go last weekend but heard it was closed. We ended up at Four Seasons and our chef was kind enough to oblige our garlic craving. Whoo hoo, I know where we’re going this weekend!
P.S. Sorry for the scare! Tho, I am very glad I asked. If I ever want to know anything about the island, I know I can get the info here. OkinawaHai rocks!
Do they take credit cards?
YES!! They do take credit cards and cash and Yen-there are no excuses not to go!!
My boyfriend and I read about Arin Krin on here and just HAD to try it. We just got back home after eating there and I just have to say WOW! We ordered tons of food (way more than two people should eat) but it was worth it. We tried the fried garlic, cheese mashed potatoes, garlic pizza, and the eggplant pasta. Each dish was amazing and we left there feeling great (which was a surprise to us after eating all of that). They let us pay in US dollars and our bill only came out to about 2,300 yen. The waiter gladly converted the price to US dollars and I was shocked at how cheap our wonderful dinner was. The atmosphere was relaxing and it made for great conversation. It wasn’t too loud or overly crowded like some restaurants tend to be. The atmosphere allowed me and my boyfriend to talk easily and it was very spacious so we weren’t bumping into any other table as we ate.
I highly recommend this place to anyone living on Okinawa or just visiting a loved one who is stationed here (like I am). Thanks to all of you for the great advice!
Just a piece of advice- they do not have high chairs so be sure to bring a clamp-on one if you have it or be prepared to hold your baby while you eat!! Oh and of course this place is beyond delish!! I am a huge garlic fan so this was like heaven to me.
Arin Krin is one of our favorite restaurants! We usually park at McDonalds though or in the parking garage for the Pachinko. We live on Kinser, so we go frequently. It’s so yummy! We get the garlic pizza, sweet and sour chicken, spicy chicken bites, garlic pasta (kids LOVE this), gyoza, garlic fried rice, and the beef and brocolli – which is to die for! We have never had a bad meal there and the service is super quick. If you haven’t tried it already, it’s a must!
Sounds awesome but is it kiddo friendly?
OMG!!! I love this restaurant!!! I had the french fries with garlic, seafood salad (shared both with hubby),deep fried garlic shrimp, and we shared the garlic pizza. Hubby had the steak and it was all delicious!!! The portions were just right that I wasn’t stuffed afterwards, just comfortable. I forgot to go get the ice cream! I remembered the next day when I passed the Big Dip off the 58!@Amy There were a couple of kids there too.
My Husband and I made our way to the Garlic Restaurant last night for the first time. We both thought the food was good. I got the Baked Fish with Garlic Sauce, He got the Beef Steak with Garlic, and then we shared the Deep Fried Garlic. Like I said the food was really good, the food came quickly, and it was very cheap in my opinion. I think the Baked Fish was 640 Yen, the Beef Steak 690 Yen, and the Deep Fried Garlic around 450 Yen. The only things we didn’t like were that it was such a small place and they cram you in there so you feel like you are dinign with everyone there really. My husband didn’t like it that we could hear everyone else’s convos and that we could hear them so well. I also made a note that when we walked in everyone’s glasses in the whole restaurant were empty, so I was slow to drink mine so I didn’t run out before the meal. They never came back to refil drinks or even ask us. Then we had trouble understanding if we got a check at our table or just went up to pay at the counter, we waited forever for our check and it never came. So my Husband went up and asked the guy at the counter and he didn’t seem to understand, so we just payed it there but were still not sure how it works. They just seemed too busy to bother after you got your food in my opinion. We probably will go back but not all of the time. we parked a street or two over behind the auto place. There weren’t any kids there when we went.
There may have been the little buzzer that sits at the table that you are to press..like at Coco’s Curry. We went there for the first time and had similar experience but after visiting other restaurants on island..some restaurants have these so that they come only when you need them to. Any others out there that can confirm this or not-we were very new to island also at the time so I didn’t pay attention and know until after the fact. We also enjoyed the food and may have to go once more before leaving island!
There was a thing on the table and my Husband kept messing with it wondering what it was. Come to think of it I accidentally pressed the button on it trying to figure it out and that’s when the woman came over to ask us for our order. I thought about it at the time but then thought that maybe it was just a coincidence that she came over then. Thanks for clearing that up for us lol.
The Rice Balls never get “prop’s”. They are the yummiest!
There are buzzers there. That way they know exactly when you need something… I personally wish all restaurants in the states had them. Anytime you go to a local restaurant, look for some kind of button or bell to ring. They won’t come check you you regularly because that’s what the button/bell is for (ordering food, drink refills, to go boxes, etc.).
Yeah, you have to push the button if you want them to come to you. (They’ll still come if you don’t push it, but only once they realize that you don’t know to push it.) They ask your name when taking your order so that it is written on the check. When you’re done eating, simply walk up to the counter, tell them your name, & pay. Also, about the water situation. Simply ask for a pitcher of water when you are seated so that you can refill at your own pace. We do this every time, and have never had problems.
What form(s) of payment do they take??
Not a fan, I dont get why everyone likes it so much. I went there with a group so we ordered a lot of different dishes to try it all out and the only thing I liked was the garlic pizza and spicey fires. I’m not a picky eater but this restaurant definitly did NOT meet my expectations and I wont be back.
Do they do Take-Out orders?
just a quick question, what are the prices like?
Devin-if you click on the picture of the menu, it will enlarge it and you may be able to make out the prices. I was able to see them. Hope that helps!
We tried this place last night for the first time. It was FABULOUS!! A group of 8 of us went and ordered 17 different items and shared everything. This is my new favorite place to eat and the prices were really reasonable for the amount of food we got. We split a little over 16000 Y between all of us. We will most certainly be eating here many times in the next 2 years.
Went for the first time with the kids. We made reservations. Our 4 y/o ate the garlic pizza and the 22 month old enjoyed the garlic fried rice. We will definitely go back for more.
Baylee- Yes, they do take out orders. I do it all the time especially when I don’t want to cook or sit-in a restaurant to eat.
Is this open on sundays? Anyone know?
80% Less then Horrible Sams & Four Seasons and 90% Better. I go here once a month. (I have to limit myself or ill eat there every week)
Good stuff! We ate here last night and really enjoyed it. We ordered the tuna avocado salad, fried shrimp spring rolls, octopus & asparagus with garlic, garlic fried rice and garlic pizza. All of it was good! We parked right in front of the restaurant.
Just plug their phone number into your iPhone map (with the spaces and no dashes) for directions.
The food is great! Takes about 45 minutes in traffic from kadena. My husband and I love this place. However tonight we took our kids for the first time and NO high chairs. Just a heads up. Great date place, reservations are the best way to to here, it is always busy.
In my 6 years here on island, I’ve spent lots of time & a bit of money at Arin Krin. My friends and I always order a few favorites: radish salad (w/o fish flakes, aka bonito), spinach w/ garlic, garlic pizza, cheese mashed potatoes (kind of like a croquette), baked whole garlic w/ corn, radish salad, garlic mushroom pasta, baked eggplant w/ cheese & marinara sauce, and did I mention the radish salad?!?!
A few of my NOT-so-fave’s included the gyoza roll, taco pizza, and eggplant with miso. I think my friends liked the beef & broccoli dish.
Great value, kid & large group friendly, terrible parking, but totally worth it for the yummy food! They take $, ¥, and credit cards, but are only open for dinner. They are currently open 7 nights a week. Their phone # is 098-877-3971, reservations on weekends are a must!
They’re pizza, bacon pasta, and French fries are good. I haven’t tried a bunch of different things there… there’s better places to eat on island, but the prices here are good and I like the place. And whoever doesn’t like garlic is just crazy. I’m looking forward to going back to try more dishes.