CONTRIBUTED BY JOY BARNES
Ryu’s Dining is one of those great “tucked-away treasures” that you find on Okinawa. Its unassuming exterior and décor says more “beach burger shack” than outstanding Chinese cuisine. But don’t let that fool you—the food is top notch.
The owner and chef, Yifeng, sometimes called Dragon by Americans, also owns a restaurant up in Tokyo. He flies up to mainland monthly to get the best ingredients that he can’t find here in Okinawa. Always hospitable, he’ll provide excellent descriptions of the expansive menu options. (He even convinced us to try “vitamin sauce” which was delicious.) And, when he’s not busy, he’ll often sit and chat with his patrons.
He was born in China and specializes in Chinese, Japanese, and French cooking styles. He says he takes the best of Chinese seasoning, mixed with the healthy Japanese ingredients to make the style of food at Ryu’s. (I detect the French influence with the excellent sauces as well!)
Leave your ideas of the “run of the mill” Chinese food behind… this isn’t your standard eggroll, sweet n’ sour chicken, fortune cookie restaurant. The best menu selections include Crispy Creamy Shrimps, Spicy Grilled Potatoes with Cheese, a variety of handmade Dim Sum, and the Stir Fried Chicken with Cashew Nuts. Although the last item may sound like your normal “cashew chicken,” this dish is anything but standard. It is light and delicious, and authentically Chinese. The dishes are fairly small so when I’ve gone with my friends, we’ve each picked out two items which we share as communal dishes.
Perhaps the best item on the menu is the Chinese Melting Bean Curd. This dish could win over even the most finicky eater that squirms at the thought of tofu. Think “mozzarella stick”- crunchy on the outside with a soft, creamy inside, covered in an excellent sauce.
Yifeng makes his own specialty drinks as well. He says Americans always like the “Beauty Beauty” drink. Although when he first explained it, I thought he was calling me the beauty. I was a little disappointed to find out that was the actual drink name. Japanese tend to like the “Gorgeous Beauty” drink which has added plum juice for extra health and beauty. I think next time I go to Ryu’s I’ll bump up my beauty potential and go for the Gorgeous Beauty!
Ryu’s Dining is certainly laid back and family friendly. Yifeng is so welcoming that you can’t help but feel like you’re just snacking on food in your friend’s kitchen… albeit a friend who is a very, very good cook.
Information:
Open only for dinner;
Tel 098-936-8229
Cha Tan 2-2-8, Cha Tan Town, Okinawa
Directions: Generally speaking, it’s tucked in the area West of 58, across from Foster, behind Book Box, but you have to take a round about way to get there. Take a left out of Foster’s “The Spot Gate” and cross 58. Take the left at the first light after 58. Take the next left turn (like you’re going to Mike’s Tex Mex) and take the right turn as the road ends. Follow this street past the pachinko parlors and over the bridge. Take a right turn immediately after the bridge, following the stream for a block or two. Ryu’s is the yellow restaurant on the left at the T.
Looks and sounds yummy. I’m not a fan of Chinese and you have me convinced. We get together with several other couples on Saturday night to eat out and this would be a great place to try. The hubs and I eat out daily so we are running out of places to eat – thanks for the great recommendation!!! I’ll even be brave and try the melting bean curd stuff!!!!
Wow, so glad you posted this!! I went to a place that I thought was called the dragon but it’s not this place! I can’t wait to try it now that I know where it is:) Thanks!
What a terrific review! Please do more!
I’ve been to dragons, and this place is way better. The food was great and the service was awsome. Its a great little place kinda hidden in plain sight. Once you go there you will know what I mean. The food was great, service great, and the price was deccent spending around 4200 yen for me and my wife and 2 kids; to include drinks. And listen to his reccomendations.
I’m hoping this is the place I used to go to all the time when I was stationed at Foster in 96…. I’m going back in January, and I’m so excited to go back!
Truly the BEST food I’ve eaten on Okinawa with the most genuine service. You truly MUST try it! Flat out delicious food and drinks. You will love it, promise!
We love Ryu’s! We went the first time when I was 8 months pregnant and have been back several times since. After only a few visits Ryu knew our family, and remembered what we ordered. He chats to us if he’s not too busy, and waves good-bye at the door as we drive away! It is the most delicious food I’ve had on the island by far – and the atmosphere is so homey and Ryu so kind and personable, you truly do feel like you’re home! I would highly recommend it to anyone – Ask Ryu to recommend some good dishes – we’ve loved everything he’s placed in front of us!
Thanks for this post I would have never known this place was here. I took advice from all of your posts and from Ryu and ordered cashew chicken, shanghai noodles, melting bean curd, and gyoza and the beauty beauty drink(I shared with others I did not eat it all myself). It was all wonderful as was the owner who chatted with us for a good 15 minutes and even tried to teach us some Japanese
Found Ryu’s last Friday night! Great food! Great atmosphere! Great service!
Hey all, thanks for the recommendation. We went there tonight and the food was very nice. This is my first eat out in Okinawa and I was happily surprised. Good quality chinese and a great night out.
Do they take Yen, dollar, and credit card?
Truly the best Chinese on island and probably on my life. Not quite traditional, but I think you’ll enjoy the twists.
It’s so good I feel the need to try and clear up the directions by adding a map location:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&q=26.306154,127.761236%20%28%E3%80%92904-0116,%20Okinawa%20Chatan,%202-7,%20Chatan%202-Ch%C5%8Dme,%20Japan%29