Okinawa Kinjo Revisited: Giving Bangkok’s Beloved Okinawan Spot a Second (and Third), Successful Try
It’s easy to miss out on Bangkok’s endless culinary landscape, but Okinawa Kinjo is one of those places that truly sticks in your mind. I first visited a few years back, and to be honest, I walked away thinking it wasn’t for me.
My husband, who first introduced me to the spot, insisted it was a popular local gem. So, with a mission to find a new, interesting place that offered vegetarian and fish options for my sister and niece, I decided it was time to give Okinawa Kinjo a second chance.
The Okinawa Hook: Beyond Japanese Cuisine
The biggest draw for this restaurant is its specialty: Okinawa cuisine. Because Okinawa was once a separate kingdom (the Ryukyu Kingdom) before becoming part of Japan, its food has distinct cultural influences, reportedly drawing from both China and Southeast Asia. The owner, whom I recognized from a video segment I watched, has even described the food as a unique fusion of Japanese, Chinese, Thai, and American influences.
This cultural blending results in a menu that offers flavors and dishes you simply won’t find at a typical sushi or ramen shop. In a city saturated with Japanese food, Okinawa Kinjo has carved out a unique space, which likely explains why they have been successfully running since their launch in 2006. (Side note: the owner was there when we dined in, and I wanted to say hi, but was too shy!)
Popularity, Vibe, and Our Second Visit
My husband was right about its enduring popularity. The clientele is a vibrant mix of Thai and Japanese patrons, with the local Thai crowd, including occasional local celebrities, often seeming to overtake the Japanese customers. This blend confirms its status as a reliable favorite within Bangkok.
For our family lunch mission, the menu did not disappoint. Besides the standard (and robust) pork offerings, there were enough fish and vegetable options to easily cater to everyone’s preferences. Even though I had done some menu research beforehand, I was still overwhelmed with the choices!
Must-Try Dishes
Our strategy across both successful visits was to share and try a variety of smaller plates, and we were happy with everything we ordered:
For Signature and Standout items, the Okinawa Goya Champurou (120 baht for a half serving) is mandatory—it’s the classic Okinawan stir-fry featuring bitter gourd, pork, tofu, egg, and vegetables. Even more unique was the Jiimami Tofu (79 baht). This peanut-based “tofu” was a standout surprise with a fascinatingly chewy, almost mochi-like texture completely different from standard bean curd.
We enjoyed several Appetizers and Sides, including the Mozuku Seaweed and Arsar Tempura Mix (180 baht), the satisfying Arsar Seaweed Omelette (180 baht), and the simple, perfectly cooked Boiled Eggplant (79 baht).
For Main Dishes, the menu offers great variety. My sister opted for the generous Grilled Shio Saba Mackerel Set (198 baht special lunch set) for a fish-focused meal. My niece, who enjoyed it so much she ordered it twice, had the satisfying Vegetable Tempura with Rice (189 baht), perfect for vegetarians. For my own mains, I tried the simple, comforting Pork Tamago Onigiri with Goya Tempura (120 baht) on the second visit, and a combination of a Mini Okinawa Soba (119 baht) and two pieces of generous Tobiko Sushi (49 baht) on the third. My elder niece kept it humble but delicious with Garlic Fried Rice (99 baht).
Final Tally (Third Visit): Our meal on the third visit cost 914 baht including 7% VAT, which was highly satisfying given the variety and quality of the dishes. An interesting detail: we were offered complimentary Okinawan donuts (one piece per person) on our third visit, which was a nice treat we hadn’t received before!
Okinawa Kinjo has built a strong reputation by offering something rare and intriguing. If you are looking to explore a corner of Japanese cuisine that is rich in history and distinct flavor, this is definitely a place worth a visit—even if your first trip, like mine, left you with a question mark!
Insider Tip: Meet Wattaya, The Next Door Neighbor
Next door to Kinjo is Wattaya (“Our home” in the Okinawan dialect), a sister gastropub concept. Wattaya focuses on Awamori (Okinawa’s distilled alcoholic beverage) and Okinawan small plates, providing a cozier space for drinks and appetizers. They also host live music every Wednesday by artists recommended by the owner.
The Rule of Thumb: Kinjo is best for groups of three or more, offering the full menu and seating. Wattaya is the perfect alternative for one or two people looking for a quick drink, small bites, or live music, as it shares the same great kitchen quality but in a different, intimate setting.
Plan Your Visit
Okinawa Kinjo & Wattaya Awamori and Okinawan Cuisine
- Address: 24/1 Sukhumvit 69 Alley, Phra Khanong Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110
- Nearest BTS: Phra Khanong, Exit 3
- Phone: 02 711 0536
- Okinawa Kinjo Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 11:30 AM–11:30 PM
- Saturday & Sunday: 11:00 AM–11:30 PM
- Facebook (Kinjo): https://www.facebook.com/kinjo.okinawa
- Facebook (Wattaya): https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557542788212
