Okinawa ChimChim: A Quaint, Authentic Taste of Ryukyu in Bangkok
Our first introduction to Okinawan food was at Okinawa Kinjo, which quickly became one of our favorites thanks to its extensive menu. Looking to try somewhere new, however, I stumbled upon Okinawa ChimChim and decided to introduce it to my family.
Arriving right as the doors opened at 12 PM over the weekend, we immediately fell in love with the restaurant’s quaint, house-like setting. Stepping inside truly feels like being instantly transported to a quiet alley in Japan.
The space is charmingly laid out like a home: a few tables are tucked into a cozy, semi-private room, others sit in an open “living room” setup, and a long counter-style table faces the open kitchen. They’ve even put an impressive amount of thought and care into the decor of their restroom! Compared to the bustling energy of Kinjo, the environment here is far more peaceful, refined, and intimate.
Compared to Kinjo, the menu here is a bit more curated. Because of the smaller selection, vegetarian options are somewhat limited. This reduced my niece’s choices, but she happily settled on the Inari sushi and a crisp vegetable tempura. My sister opted for the Chanpuru—a flavorful stir-fried tuna with noodles (170 Baht). My husband ordered the Fried Horse Mackerel (210 Baht), which came accompanied by tartar sauce, a sweet Japanese dipping sauce, and a mini bowl of Okinawan rice.
I decided on the Seared Pork with Seasoned Rice (240 Baht), which comes with specific instructions to enjoy it in stages: first, eat the pork and rice as they are; next, mix in the provided seasonings; and finally, pour in the warm dashi soup to enjoy it Ochazuke-style. As a delightful bonus, if you have leftover cooked rice at the end of your meal, they will gladly shape it into rice balls for you to take home.
With a total bill coming to 1,107 THB for a family meal, we thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon here. The food quality feels like a definite step up—cleaner, lighter, and served in a gorgeous environment. If you want a break from standard sushi and ramen joints, this is a beautiful window into Japan’s southern islands.
Tips for visiting:
- Getting there: If you are using MuvMi and can’t find “Okinawa Restaurant ChimChim,” try searching for “Ryukyu Cuisine ChimChim” instead. “Ryukyu” and “Okinawan” cuisine are effectively the same and are used interchangeably, referencing the historic Ryukyu Kingdom that ruled the islands from the 15th to the 19th century.
Location & Details:
- Address: Okinawa ChimChim / Ryukyu Cuisine ChimChim, 71 Sukhumvit 65, Bangkok
- Nearest BTS: Ekkamai (Exit 3)
- Hours: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM (Last order at 10:00 PM)
- Phone: 096-098-8871
- Facebook: Ryukyu Cuisine Chim Chim
