【Local Cuisine Trip】Okinawa Prefecture "Mozuku Bowl" - Derived from school lunches, the taste of seamen to taste at a rare restaurant

Okinawa's "Mozuku Bowl" is characterized by a sweet and spicy flavor in which stir-fried mozuku is placed with meat and vegetables on top of rice, and the smell of seaweed is suppressed by ginger juice (recipes vary). "Mozuku bowl" is not a local dish that has been handed down since ancient times, but a menu designed to be preferred by children because "mozuku" is served in school lunches at elementary schools and junior high schools in the prefecture. It is a local dish derived from school lunches that has become popular at home after hearing the reputation of children. (Photo: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries "Our Local Cuisine")

In Okinawa Prefecture, zuku cultivation began around the 50th year of the Showa era. Okinawa Prefecture has an overwhelming share of the domestic production of mozuku, accounting for 99% of domestic production at about 22,000 tons per year (2020). It is rich in minerals and vitamins and is used in a variety of dishes as an ingredient that is good for beauty and health.

Since "Mozuku Bowl" is popular as a school lunch or home cook, there are few restaurants where tourists can eat it, but it is served at some restaurants in the area where Mozuku is produced.

■ To eat "Mozuku Bowl"!

region : Okinawa Prefecture (Yomitan Village, Nanjo City, Taketomi Town, etc.)
season :Year-round
Dining ：
<Yomitan Village>
・Yomitan Village Fishery Cooperative Association "Kaijin Shokudo" 750 yen
– Recommended by > Yomitan Village Tourism Association staff.

<Nanjo City>
・Prefectural tuna bowl specialty store "Tsunaya Shokudo" 1,000 yen
・Okinawa soba specialty store "Maruchi Nanjo City Tsukishiro store" 280 yen

<Taketomi Town / Taketomi Island>
・ Restaurant "Garden Asahi" 1,100 yen (with Yaeyama soba soup)
– Recommended by > Taketomi Town Tourism Association staff.