Yarabo Restaurant

This long-running restaurant on Taketomi Island, a remote island in Okinawa Prefecture’s Yaeyama Islands, has been serving guests for over 50 years. “Yarabo,” the restaurant’s name, refers to a type of tree used for the island’s windbreak forests, and the interior, renewed in March 2025, preserves its old atmosphere while feeling fresh, with tables and chairs made from yarabo wood.

The signature dishes are Yaeyama Soba, a traditional dish from the Yaeyama region, and Soki Soba made with hon-soki pork ribs. The standout is the Kuruma Shrimp Soba, made generously with kuruma shrimp from Taketomi Island and limited to just 10 servings per day. Okinawa boasts the highest production of kuruma shrimp in Japan, and because this restaurant is directly operated by a shrimp farm, you can enjoy exceptionally fresh shrimp here.

The soup, made from a recipe passed down since the restaurant first opened, has a rich yet gentle flavor based on pork bone broth and bonito stock. It pairs perfectly with the smooth, round noodles. The Kuruma Shrimp Soba is especially notable for its soup infused with shrimp flavor, while the firm texture and sweetness of the shrimp fill your mouth with every bite. There is also a set menu with Okinawan mixed rice called “juushi,” so be sure to try it. The restaurant also offers nationwide shipping of kuruma shrimp.