You may have heard and even sampled Okinawa’s signature so-called soul food, taco rice – south-of-the-boarder-seasoned ground beef atop rice with shredded cheese, lettuce and tomato. But, what about its cousin, “omu-taco rice”?
As the name suggests – a combination of “omu rice” (rice omelet) and “taco rice” – omu-taco rice is taco rice topped with a fluffy omelet. And it too is claimed as an Okinawan original.
Kijimunaa restaurant boasts having concocted the dish several years ago. According to manager Makoto Tomiyama, the eatery came up with the dish while trying to develop an affordable tasty meal that both Japanese and Americans would enjoy. Omu-taco rice caught on fast, he says, and is now so popular on Okinawa that more than 100,000 customers seek out Kijimunaa annually to enjoy its original dish.
“Our ground beef is carefully seasoned with various spices to make it savory, rich and crispy,” Tomiyama said. “The well-seasoned meat is a perfect match with the omelet, rice, vegetables, cheese and other toppings.”
What is even better is that similar to a taco or its local rice-laden counterpart, you can customize your omu-taco rice with a wide variety of toppings such as “goya” (bitter melon), corn, spinach and avocado. In fact, omu-taco rice with bacon and mozzarella cheese won third place at the Chatan Gourmet Battle in 2013.
Various tropical drinks, such as guava, mango and lychee juices as well as five brands of beer are also available at Kijimunaa.
Located on the second floor of the Depot Island shopping complex’s clock tower in Mihama American Village, Kijimunaa is near Camp Foster, Camp Lester and Kadena Air Base and draws a lot of U.S. service members, according to Tomiyama. The restaurant can accommodate nearly 50 people and on its terrace seats that overlook Depot Island.
“Our shop is filled with a casual and cozy atmosphere,” Tomiyama says. “Just drop by and sample our authentic omu-taco rice the next time you’re shopping at Depot Island.”
Hours: 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
Address: Depot Island Building C-2F, Mihama, Chatan Town, Nakagashira-gun
URL (in Japanese): tabelog.com/okinawa/A4703/A470304/47007592
Tel (in Japanese): 098-989-5100
