The tempura offered by the large city tempura shop features fresh fish and squid as the main attractions, with a crispy exterior and a moist interior that is rich in seafood flavor, consistently high quality that requires no additional seasoning.
The atmosphere inside the store is simple, the queue flows smoothly, and it is very friendly to tourists, providing menus in both Chinese and English.
The speed of food delivery is fast, and you don't have to wait too long; the service efficiency is high.
Although Okinawa's Aka Island is small, it hides two incredibly popular tempura restaurants. After visiting Nakamoto Tempura, I walked across the small island and arrived at the other end at Daijo Tempura, which is the second stop I'll be introducing today.
This place also has a simple, local vibe, and there was a line outside, but the flow of people moved quite smoothly, and the food was served quickly, so you don't have to wait too long. It's also very tourist-friendly, offering menus in both Chinese and English.
This time, I chose the savory tempura and ordered two types: fish and squid. This restaurant does not sprinkle additional seasoning powder on the tempura, and they don’t provide dipping sauces for free; if you want a sauce, you have to purchase it separately. However, I didn't mind at all because the tempura itself was already very flavorful.
The squid was really impressive; the outer layer was crispy while the inside retained a moist texture, fresh and not oily. It had a delightful bounce and a distinct taste of the sea, leaving a strong impression. The fish was lighter, not overly seasoned, but you could distinctly taste the sweetness and freshness of the meat. Its texture was soft, without any fishy taste, and it was very well-prepared.
Overall, I actually prefer the style of Daijo Tempura. The quality of the fried items is consistent, and the flavors of the ingredients themselves are strong enough that they don't require much seasoning to taste good.