When in Japan, taste the country’s regional cuisines – from Hokkaido all the way down to Okinawa. You can sample classic Okinawan cuisine at Ryutan in Tokyo Station’s Kitchen Street.
Okinawan cuisine is also known as Ryukyuan cuisine which refers to the Ryukyu Kingdom that ruled Okinawa from the 15th to 19th centuries.
The cuisine has been greatly influenced by the island’s history of trade with China and Southeast Asia. From China came the pigs which have become the cuisine’s main focus. From Southeast Asia came all the spices, fruits, and vegetables, like the goya (bittermelon) and nabera (luffah, or towel gourd).
From Japan’s mainland, the cuisine brought in miso, bonito flakes, kombu, and dashi; however, you will not typically find mushrooms in the dishes. There is also influence from the US’s post World War II administration including that of canned goods, hamburgers, and taco rice.
Tokyo Station has an overwhelming choice of restaurants, both international and of Japanese cuisines. In Japan, it is not just Japanese food, but rather you can enjoy regional cuisines.
Ryutan in Kitchen Street offers authentic Okinawan cuisine and classic dishes featuring ingredients sourced from Okinawa.
While all restaurants in the station offer English menus (as this is the capital’s central train and subway station), most dining in Ryutan are local office workers enjoying drinks and a meal after work.
Note that during lunch hours (between 11am and 4pm) the restaurant is non-smoking. For dinner hours (between 4pm and 11pm) smoking is permitted.
Ryutan
B1F Kitchen Street, Tokyo Station
1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
11am to 11pm
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