Barbecue joint brings taste of U.S. to Okinawa beach

Americans craving a taste of home in a beachside barbecue can find it – in all its smoking and grilling glory – at a little seaside eatery on the east side of the island not far from Camp Hansen.

Seaside BBQ Restaurant and Smokehouse is an American style-barbecue joint located on the ocean front of Kin, Okinawa. The restaurant boasts that more than 90 percent of its products offered are derived from local sources and prepared by hand. Even the smoker it uses to cook fwith was specially hand constructed for the job.

“Our most popular dish is the smoked pork spare ribs,” says Kazue Tomori, owner of Seaside BBQ Restaurant and Smokehouse. “The size of whole rack is as big as 12 inches and is the favorite of many Americans. We smoke them for more than three hours and steam them for two hours.”

Then there is what for many can be the best part of barbecue: The sauce – or not.

“You can choose either dry rub or barbeque sauce for your ribs,” says Tomori. “We make our own original barbeque sauce which has many fans. It’s worth trying over the tender meat that falls off the bone.”

The price of rack of smoked spare ribs is 3,000 yen ($30) and a half rack goes for 1,600 yen.

Another popular item on the menu is their juicy and tender pulled pork which is smoked for more than 12 hours, according to Weiss.

The appetizer menu includes such as “alligator bites” and “frog legs” to go with your drink. Kids’ plates are also available.

Seaside BBQ also offers a variety of popular American sides such as coleslaw and mashed potatoes with gravy.

The restaurant seats 35 people inside and there are another four picnic tables outside offering that back-home country barbecue feel. This place is Ideal for family and friends gathering for a casual lunch or dinner. Seaside BBQ also offers delivery and catering services.

“Don’t miss our Wednesday special,” says Komori. (The special does not apply to delivery.) “Our chicken wings are only 50 cents every Wednesday, which is a half off the regular price. You can choose from a variety of flavors such as barbecue, buffalo, Asian, Cajun, spicy coconut and honey mustard.”