CONTRIBUTED BY ALEXIS KNUTSON

When my parents told my husband and me they were coming to visit us in Okinawa, I immediately knew we had to take them to Onnaton.  My husband and I had been there once before at the beginning of 2011 but only tried the appetizers since we weren’t very hungry.  We knew that was a mistake when the table next to us received a pot of steaming broth on a tiny stove in the center of their table and the owner began placing pieces of vegetables and strips of meat into the pot.  We had no idea what this style of cooking was called but decided we had to go back to investigate further, and this would be the perfect time to do it!  My parents’ first dinner in Okinawa was at Onnaton and we all agreed it was one we will never forget.

Onnaton Front

As soon as my husband and I walked in, the owner, Kyohei, recognized us and greeted us by name.  This was after only having been there once, months earlier.  We were shocked!  There are only four tables at the restaurant – two Japanese style and two booths.  We chose Japanese style, which ended up being a little much for some since we were there for nearly three hours.  But hey, it’s all about the experience, right?

Onnaton Shabu Shabu Pot Onnaton Pork

Onnaton does not yet have English menus, but Kyohei said he is working on them.  In the meantime, he will translate for you.  *There are three set courses you can try – the Aparagi Course (¥2680), the Onnaton Course (¥3600) or the Zeitaku or Luxury Course (¥4280).  We chose the Onnaton Course which includes eight courses.  We all had appetizers and salad to begin.  Then came what we had all been waiting for, the boiling pot of incredibly delicious smelling broth in the center of our table.  Kyohei brought out strips of pork and vegetables to add to the pot and explained that this style of cooking is called Shabu-Shabu, named after the sound the tongs make on the bottom of the metal pot.  The first Japanese word my parents learned was “oishi” and they couldn’t stop saying it.

*Editor’s Note: The owner of Onnaton has informed us that they no longer off the first two sets described in this post; the current sets they now offer cost ¥4280+tax, ¥8600+tax, and ¥10000+tax. Onnaton Risotto

Pile after pile of pork went into the pot, then into our bellies once it had reached prime doneness.  By the end of this course were all completely stuffed.  And that’s when the next course came.  Kyohei delivered a bowl of cheese risotto, then flambéed it at the table.  We were all given spoons and told to dig in.  I honestly could not get enough – the top was crispy, the bottom soft and gooey and it was oh-so cheesy throughout.

By the end of the night we had to roll ourselves out of the restaurant. Onnaton is definitely an experience you can not miss while on Okinawa.  Kyohei just opened the restaurant in November 2010 and I know it will be wildly successful.  He and his wife, Mayumi, own and operate the restaurant and are cooking up some delicious meals.  Mayumi even makes a lot of the dipping sauces in house!

The tempura vegetables are definitely worth trying and include tempura goya, Okinawan purple potatoes, and onion but this may change depending on the day.  Onnaton has a great selection of Awamori as well and Kyohei will help you find the perfect bottle.  Even though it is a set menu, it is definitely worth it for the incredible food and a night out you won’t forget. Keep in mind that since the restaurant is small, it is only good for groups of 2-5 people.

Website: https://www.onnaton.comFacebook Page

Menuhttps://www.onnaton.com/menu/

Payment: ¥en only, no credit cards

Phone:  098-963-0710 ‎

Hours: Open everyday 17:30 – 23:00 but since it is just Kyohei and Mayumi running the restaurant, sometimes they are closed on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.  If you are driving a ways to get here I would suggest avoiding those two days.

Address: 2557 Maeda, Onna, Kunigami District, Okinawa

GPS Coordinates: 26.429086, 127.7538701

 

Directions: From Kadena Gate 1, head north on 58.  Turn left onto route 6 toward Zampa Point/Torii Station.  Continue on 6 past Torii Station and past the turnoff for Zampa Point.  Continue on this road for approximately 3 minutes and you will see the red banners and a red deck/seating area of Onnaton on your right hand side.  Immediately past Onnaton there is a gas station so if you reach that, turn around and park at the building next to the gas station – that’s Onnaton!  Also, if you reach Forest Adventure, you have gone about 400 meters too far. If you are coming from the north, head south on 58 until you reach route 6 entrance at the Renaissance Hotel and drive toward Maeda Point.  Drive past Maeda Point on your right, then past Forest Adventure on your left.  After about 400 meters you will see a gas station on the left.  Onnaton is immediately on the other side of that gas station.

13 COMMENTS

  1. 地點較偏,用 Google Map 較易找。
    老板好好人,我們因迷了路遲了半小時,老板依然留座給我們。
    他們的牛真的很好言放進高湯内灼一灼,入口即溶,夾雜了湯的精華,完全不須再放任何調味。
    至於他們的豬肉,看上去真的很肥膩,但是連蔬菜一起滾滾,蔬菜完全吸收了那些油,吃入口時豬肉變得很爽口。别有一番風味。
    但要記住,想來吃必須預約,否則白跑,因他們是不接受即場order的和只接受現金。
    We came from Macao
    (m~m)/

  2. Their shabushabu is very unique and oh so DELICIOUS!!!
    I had dinner there last night and I absolutely loved it.
    It is pricy but totally worth it. I went there with my husband, his friend and my daughter (9y.o.) and we ordered three 4,280yen courses plus 500yen for my daughter (they add extra portion in all the food except the meat). The course has a perfect amount to satisfy customers’ stomach. At the end, we were stuffed yet had enough room to enjoy their dessert 🙂 I will definitely go back there again.
    Now they have a course menu in English.

  3. This is one of the best dining experiences we have had on island. The food is truly unique and delicious. The owner and his wife are both friendly and speak enough english to help you out with any questions. The owner stood by our table and prepared much of the food, unlike other shabu shabu places we have been to, which was really nice. He gave us instructions for the best way to eat each item, etc. The meal is a bit pricy, but you will leave more than stuffed. It is a nice place to take visitors.

  4. Took my sister here for her last night in town and it was the best meal! Kyohei was so nice to us, and he is a very, very talented chef. He translated the menu to English for us. He prepared much of the meal table side for us and showed us how to eat it. It was so delicious, and the whole meal felt like an event, not just food. I would highly recommend!

  5. Sounds like a good time. I’ve driven past it all the time on my way to Zanpa, but it must’ve been closed at those times. So the Onnaton Course can feed several people it seems. I will have to give this place a try. Thanks for the post! Oki rocks!!