(Photos by Shoji Kudaka)
Up on a hill overlooking the west coast in Onna Village, Café Gallery Doka Doka has created a space where delicious food and drinks pair well with the beautiful Yachimun Okinawan pottery on display.
There are plenty of similar café-galleries on Okinawa, but Doka Doka is one of the most popular among tourists.
I stopped in at Doka Doka after my trip to zipline at the Sheraton Okinawa Sunmarina Resort nearby. Many customers would go to Doka Doka for their handmade pizzas, and I was no exception.
The café has an early morning breakfast menu that ends at 10:15 a.m. During a recent visit, I was one of the first customers for their regular menu at 11 a.m. and nabbed a seat on the balcony overlooking the ocean. I had four pizzas to choose from including a four cheese, marinara, margherita and something called a Doka Doka original, which features salami, cheese, green pepper, and spicy sausage. The pizzas are 32 cm in diameter and will set you back between 2,000 to 3,000 yen (about $17-25).
Dokadoka (Shoji Kudaka)
Dokadoka (Shoji Kudaka)
Dokadoka (Shoji Kudaka)
Dokadoka (Shoji Kudaka)
Dokadoka (Shoji Kudaka)
Dokadoka (Shoji Kudaka)
After the thrill of soaring on a zipline that morning, I chose the marinara pizza as I thought garlic and tomato would be a perfect combo to rejuvenate myself. I was alone on that day and the 32 cm diameter sounded a little too much for one person. But just imagining the fruity taste of tomatoes and the distinct flavor of garlic made my mouth water. So, I placed the order without fighting my appetite. I also ordered a hot coffee (600 yen).
I enjoyed the serene ocean view while I waited for my piping hot pizza. I had also fun looking at the various pottery by renowned artist and Doka Doka owner Akira Tamada and other artisans’ work on display.
When the pizza on a Yachimun pottery plate and coffee arrived at my table, my heart soared. Although the weather was cloudy on this day, the marinara pizza’s vibrant red sauce and garlic scent were intoxicating.
The pizza was larger than I had anticipated, and I considered whether I might need a takeout box. After the first delicious bite, however, I didn’t worry about it anymore and devoured it.
The thin, chewy crust was satisfying, and the toppings were a perfect combination to complete a delightful meal.
The tasty pizza and great ocean view transported me to a Mediterranean holiday, even if just for a short while. The only thing missing was a nice glass of beer, which I passed on since I was going to get back behind the wheel. I will be back for another holiday at Café Gallery Doka Doka very soon.
Cafe Gallery Doka Doka GPS Coordinates: N 26.44585, E 127.80707 Hours: 8 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. (morning, limited to 50 orders); 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. (café, last order at 5 p.m.) *Closed on Sun Tel: 098-965-1666 *You can also spend the night at Doka Doka and try a yachimun pottery-making class. Website
