MKCAFE Umikaji Terrace Okinawa — Restaurant in Tomigusuku

Not gonna lie, we was hungry. My husband drove down to the Peace Memorial Park, which required some long walking in the tropical heat, and then stopped at Umikaji Terrace, a multi-level food court overlooking the planes taking off and landing at the airport nearby. There were a lot of choices, mostly American-oriented fast food, but this cafe caught our eye and not just because of the big, ugly snake in the jar.

It appeared to be run by two sunny women, and the menu was primarily Okinawan. We started with thirst quenching ¥500 Iced Coffees that helped us beat back the heat. We decided to split three appetizing items. First was the ¥1,300 SPAM Burger which surprised us as the SPAM was not simply sliced from the tin but turned into a tender patty and encased in a soft wheat bun with fresh vegetables and a tangy mayo.

We also shared the ¥900 Fried Chicken Cutlets, tasty bar bites, four of them that were karaage-like and quite addictive with again the tangy mayo. Our third dish was the ¥800 Sea Grapes, and I have to say they were the freshest ones we had on our entire Okinawa trip because they popped so easily in our mouths. Overall it was nice to patronize a business that invests in fresh ingredients to create familiar dishes. Not sure about the snake though.

FOOD - 4 stars...fresh takes on now familiar Okinawan dishes AMBIANCE - 4 stars...seems like a nice fit for the tourist-centric terrace setting SERVICE - 4.5 stars...the ladies were very kind TOTAL - 4 stars...definitely a worthwhile stop...

This was my second visit. The first time I came, the mobile ordering and credit card payment felt a bit cumbersome. Honestly, just calling out, “Excuse me, one draft beer please!” felt so much easier.

This time, they’ve switched to taking orders at the table with payment at the end — much smoother and very comfortable. Good change. The staff’s warm smiles were also a highlight, making me want to come back again.

The café has a stylish vibe, but once you settle in, it feels relaxed and unpretentious — a place where you can truly unwind. I’ve been to Umikaji Terrace many times, but this is the only spot I keep coming back to.

I have to admit, the mackerel burger doesn’t really appeal to me. However, the Chicken Katsu with Tartar Sauce gets a solid ⭐︎5 — absolutely delicious. The tuna katsu, on the other hand, was ⭐︎2 — honestly, just average.

My top recommendation: start with a cold beer and the chicken katsu with tartar sauce. For the second drink, switch to a highball and soak in the atmosphere of the café.

I also learned that the sataa andagi (Okinawan donuts) are a popular item here, but I’ve decided to save that experience for my third visit. Already looking forward to next...

We had mackerel burgers after seeing a travel vlog's recommendation. Their burgers taste great and come with a generous portion of fries. Do try their Okinawa donuts, which are available in...