Okinawa Paradise

The beautiful islands of Okinawa, Japan’s tropical retreat, are breathtaking. Life there moves at a slower pace than in crazy Tokyo. For a taste of the island life, however, Tokyoites can make the short trip to Shinjuku and visit Okinawa Paradise. This restaurant channels the good time vibes of the Pacific paradise in with delicious Okinawan home-cooking. Expect the signature “goya champuru” — a stir fry of bitter melon, tofu, pork, and egg — as well as generous helpings of pork belly, and Okinawan fried noodles. They source ingredients like sea grapes from Okinawa to make the dishes as authentic as possible, and the atmosphere is set by nightly performances from the owner (an Okinawa native) with the sanshin traditional instrument, and Okinawan dancing to finish.