Okinawan Lunch in Zushi｜The Rafute Set Meal at Okinawa Shokudo Yukui Was Even Better Than Expected

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Hello, I’m Peli from Hayama Navi!
Hayama Navi shares wonderful places around Hayama and the Shonan area.
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When you’re walking around Hayama or Zushi, do you ever find yourself wondering, “Where should I go for lunch today?”

If you head a little closer to Zushi Station, you’ll actually discover many charming restaurants.

Today I’d like to introduce an Okinawan restaurant near Zushi Station, “Okinawa Shokudo Yukui.”

When you hear “Okinawan food,” you might imagine tourist spots in Okinawa. But this place has the warm feeling of a neighborhood diner where locals casually stop by.

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Okinawan food in Zushi… sounds a little unexpected, right?

But when I actually visited, it felt far more authentic than I expected—and incredibly comfortable.

In this article, I’ll share what I experienced there and the story behind the restaurant from the Hayama Navi perspective.

The Meaning Behind the Okinawan Word “Yukui”

The name “yukui” comes from an Okinawan word meaning “to relax” or “to take a break.”

The restaurant’s name reflects the owners’ wish that people can take a moment to slow down and relax here between work, housework, or childcare.

When you step inside, Okinawan music plays softly, and the atmosphere feels a bit like a small diner you might find while traveling.

There are table seats, counter seats, and tatami seating areas, so everyone from solo diners to families naturally gathers here.

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The atmosphere really feels like a small diner in Okinawa.

Many regular local customers come here, and the relaxed environment makes it easy to enjoy your meal without feeling rushed.

(Source: Shonanjin)

Highlight①: The “Okinawa Gozen” Set Meal – A Taste of Okinawa in One Plate

This time I ordered the Okinawa Gozen Set Meal (with mini soba) – 1,830 yen.

The moment the tray arrived, I couldn’t help saying “Wow!” because of the number of dishes.

The set meal includes:

• Rafute (Okinawan braised pork belly)

• Champuru stir-fry

• Kubuirichi (braised kelp)

• Mozuku seaweed vinegar

• Black rice

• Mini Okinawa soba

This set meal truly feels like a collection of Okinawa’s most beloved flavors in one dish.

The highlight for me was definitely the rafute.

The thick pork belly was incredibly tender and soaked with flavor—it practically melted in my mouth.

Even the small side dishes like champuru and braised kelp were delicious, and each dish felt like a star on its own.

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I honestly thought it might even be better than the rafute I had in Okinawa.

That’s how satisfying this lunch was.

Highlight②: Okinawan Cuisine Meets Fresh Kamakura Vegetables

At Okinawa Shokudo Yukui, the vegetables are said to be sourced from farms in Kamakura.

Okinawan cuisine sometimes has a reputation for being heavy, but the dishes here include plenty of vegetables, creating a balanced and refreshing meal.

The vegetables used in dishes like goya champuru and salads are crisp and fresh, adding natural sweetness to the food.

This combination of Okinawan cooking and local produce creates something special—an Okinawan meal with a touch of Shonan.

（Source: Shonanjin）

Highlight③: A Relaxed Local Diner Where You Can Enjoy Daytime Drinks

When you think of Okinawa, one drink often comes to mind: awamori.

At Okinawa Shokudo Yukui, you can also enjoy awamori and Orion beer.

It’s the kind of place where you can slowly sip awamori while enjoying Okinawan dishes—even during the daytime.

There are also plenty of soft drinks available, so even guests who don’t drink alcohol can fully enjoy the Okinawan atmosphere.

Whether for lunch, a relaxed daytime drink, or dinner, it’s a place that works in many situations—a friendly neighborhood diner where everyone can feel comfortable.

（Source: Shonanjin）