Looking for a light but nourishing breakfast in Ishigaki? This restaurant’s tofu is so popular that people line up before 6 in the morning just to get a taste.
Yushi-Dofu
Tofu no Higa is a cozy island restaurant in Ishikagi that specializes in freshly-made yushi-dofu, a tofu variety that’s unique to Okinawa. It’s made by boiling soy milk mixed with nigari (bittern) and stopping the fire shortly before it hardens. The result is slightly firm tofu with a crumbly texture served in soup.
Yushi-dofu is different from shima-dofu, the other type of tofu that Okinawa is known for. To be more precise, yushi-dofu is what you get if you take the tofu off the heat before it completely hardens into shima-dofu. Because shima-dofu is firm and doesn’t fall apart easily, it is used in a lot of Okinawan dishes like goya champuru.
Perfect for Breakfast
Tofu no Higa serves yushi-dofu in set meals. I got mine with rice, an omelet, and seasoned vegetables. The meal was well-balanced and filling; I felt energized for a day of exploring after eating it. The gentle taste is perfect for people who prefer a light breakfast, or want something easy on the tummy after a night of drinking.
Tofu no Higa is popular among tourists and locals alike. While the official operating hours are from 6:30 AM to 3 PM, it’s quite common for the restaurant to sell out by noon (at least pre-pandemic). The queue is also usually long, so I would advise eating here for breakfast rather than any other time of the day.
How to Get to Tofu no Higa
Tofu no Higa (とうふの比嘉, とうふ の ひが)
Mon to Sat, 06:30 to 15:00
6-minute walk from Nagama Bridge Bus Stop
If you’re traveling in a group, going there by taxi is more cost-efficient as the restaurant is only a 10-minute car ride from Ishigaki Port.
