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After living on Okinawa for two years, I can say that I have looked all over for quality chicken wings. With a name like the "Wing King" I had to give this restaurant just around the corner from my house a shot. I heard mixed reviews from several people about this alleged King of the Wings, so I was reluctant to try it out for quite some time. I mean, a name like "Wing King" sets the bar pretty high don’t you think?

Now to the food. Everytime I go to the Wing King I order their chicken sandwich and six wings. It is plenty of food for one person and sure to fill almost anyone up. They offer sizes from 6 piece to 60 piece platters which range from $5.00 to $39.00 for the 60 piece.

What I really enjoy is the selection of great sauces you get to choose from.

• Hot
• Medium Hot
• Spicy Coconut
• Honey Barbecue
• Spicy Barbecue
• Honey Mustard
• Oriental
• Lemon Pepper
• Hawaiian Heat
• Sweet & Sour
• Plain Fried Chicken

Today I tried the Hawaiian heat sauce which turned out to taste more like a sweet & sour concoction. My personal favorite is probably the spicy barbecue sauce. It offers just the right amount of spice that I am looking for.

If you are worried about making the drive over to Kadena’s gate 1 area for some wings, you’re in luck. There is also another Wing King located just outside of Camp Foster. Did I mention that they offer takeout? Just call, place an order and pick it up when it is ready if you feel like taking it home.

Helpful Information

Hours/Phone

Kadena : 11:00 A.M – 8:00 P.M – Daily (Closed SUN & MON)

Phone: 098-936-8986

Foster:

Tue-Fri- 5:00 P.M – 10:00 P.M

Sat-Sun- 3:00 P.M – 10:00 P.M (Closed Monday)

Phone: 090-2855-0102

Location/Directions

From Kadena Air Base Gate 1, take a left onto Hwy 58 and then take your first left onto Rt 23. Head down Rt 23 and just before the first light on the left side is Wing King. You will see their big red "Wing King" sign.

Without even knowing it, another great restaurant existed about 5 minutes away from my house. I discovered this wonderful eatery one night when my buddies decided to take me somewhere new for a change. I guess eating CoCo’s curry three times a week isn’t for everyone.

I liked it so much that I have been to Kitakaisen twice in the past two weeks and really pigged out both times. The atmosphere is great and there are plenty of seats, so I have never had to wait. In addition, the food is fairly priced and the menu has plenty of great options. My personal favorites would have to be the spicy chicken and the gyoza. Both items are each under ¥500. I usually just add an Orion draft and call it dinner.

Their menu ranges with a variety of items suchs as sushi, fried rice, yakatori, broiled and fried fish, chicken, and tacos to name only a few.

During the week they have several specials that may entice you:

• Monday thru Thursday all draft beer is ¥250 from 5PM to 7PM

• Monday- Sushi Combinations are half price

• Wednesday- Lady’s Day offers 20% off for lady’s groups.

• Kitakaisens also offers a party room that seats up to 60 and has karaoke on request

Kitakaisens also offers "Americanized" tatami style seating that adds to the whole dining experience. I would highly recommend Kitakaisen for those of you who will have visitors here on Okinawa or who are just looking for somewhere new to try out for dinner. It is easy to see why so many people call Kitakaisen their favorite place to eat on Okinawa.

Helpful Information

Hours/Phone

Hours: 5:00 P.M – 1:00 A.M- Daily

Phone: 098-936-7373

Location/Directions

From Kadena Air Base Gate 1, take a left onto Hwy 58 and then take your first left onto 23. Head down 23 and take a right at your first light (At the light you will see a sign that says Chatan Sports Center). Continue going straight until you see a sign again on the right for Chatan Sports Center. Pull into the Chatan Sports Center parking. Kitakaisen is off to the right on the second floor, just above a bowling alley.

Phelps earned his unprecedented eighth Olympic gold medal of the 2008 Olympics as he swam the butterfly leg of the Americans’ world-record win in the 4×100m medley relay to close out the swimming competition at the Water Club. Congratulations to Michael Phelps!

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An evil man from work named Andy thought it would be a great idea to have a “BIG SANDWICH DAY”. So, the rest of the team being good sports decided to go along with the idea and chip in to make this Big Sandwich Day a reality.

Everyone has heard of these mythological sandwiches through short stories and word of mouth passed down generation to generation. However, no one expected the carnage that ensued from the ”BIG JONES” sandwich day.

 Below are a couple of pictures from August 07, 2008 that everyone on the team will now remember as “BIG SANDWICH DAY”.

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This weekend my wife and I went down to Naha to check out the 10,000 Eisa Dancer parade. Although this was my second time at the event, I was truly impressed by the number of participants and viewers.

The 10,000 Eisa Dance Parade is held every year on the first Sunday in August. More than 100,000 people make it to Naha to catch a glimpse of 10,000 Eisa Dancers performing on the famous Kokusai street. Eisa is a traditional dance with a long history. It originates from a folk song that used to be sung several hundred years ago.

The dance style was passed down by groups of young people who would pay respect to their ancestors each summer by marching through their neighborhoods while playing taiko drums.

What made this year amazing was the fact that it was down pouring throughout the day. My wife and I spent a couple hours in Naha and figured for sure that it would be canceled. However, around 3 p.m everyone started showing up. With the rain pouring down, nearly 10,000 Eisa dancers lined up on Kokusai street and continued to dance. The truly inspiring event was the fact that even the smallest child and elderly person participated in this yearly ritual.

You can check out some of the pictures from the event below or go here if you want to view more pictures from Okinawa.

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My wife and I have been spending a lot of time down by the Sunabe Seawall recently and decided to try out another place to grab something to eat. This time we had the opportunity to enjoy a great view and good food at the Transit Cafe .

We arrived just after 6 P.M. and decided to sit outside and enjoy the weather. One thing to note is there are not too many choices when it comes to seating, so it can become somewhat crowded with about fifteen people. Immediately we noticed the friendly atmosphere and great drink selection they offer.

My wife ordered a fondue for starters with a mixed fruit smoothie. For dinner she ordered fish and chips and I went with the spaghetti alla pescatora. The dinner menu has a variety of selections ranging from chicken, beef, pork, seafood, salad, pizza, and spaghetti. All the prices were very reasonable considering the portion size. My spaghetti was delicious, however, let me reinforce how amazing their drink menu is. My wife had an amazing looking (and tasting) smoothie that will have us coming back for more.

We enjoyed the food and the great view but plan on making a trip back in the future just for a light snack and their impressive drink menu. If you are ever down by the Sunabe Seawall, give the Transit Cafe a taste.

Helpful Information

Hours/Phone

Hours: 11:30 A.M – 2:00 A.M

Lunch: 11:30 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.

Dinner: 6:00 P.M – 2:00 A.M (Last Order at 1:00 A.M)

Phone: 098-936-5076

Location/Directions

Transit Cafe is located along the Sunabe Seawall.  From Kadena Gate One take a left onto 58  and then your first quick right by Family Mart. Follow that road until you hit the sea wall. Follow the seawall and it will be on the right.

Here are some of my latest pictures that I wanted to share with everyone. Let me know what you think.

Just click on any image to see the larger version.

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Leave me a comment and let me know which one is your favorite.

Right outside of Kadena Air Base gate 1 is a great Hawaiian themed restaurant that I really love eating at because of their awesome atmosphere and home cooked style dishes. Ono Kau Kau is generally pretty busy during the lunch hours due to the masses of military trying to get their Hawaiian fix for the day. However, if you go for dinner you will find plenty of seats to enjoy a great meal.

I have a big appetite so I usually go for the 3 choice set which only cost ¥800. I go for my favorites every time and order garlic chicken, teriyaki chicken, and Kalua pork. The 3 choice set comes with rice and some really great tasting macaroni on the side. Now, if you can’t stomach 3 choices then grab the 2 choice set for only ¥600.

Some other items you will find at Ono Kau Kau’s are Lau Lau, Lomi Lomi Salmon, Loco Moco, Haupia, and Ahi Poke to name just a few. So, if Hawaiian is what you crave, check out Ono Kau Kau in Mihama for a laid back atmosphere and simple dishes that really taste great.

Helpful Information

Hours/Phone

Hours: 10:30 A.M. – 9:00 P.M.   (Last Order)

Phone: 936-8007

Location/Directions

Directions:
From Kadena Air Base Gate 1 turn left onto Hwy 58 and head south. Turn right at the 3rd light before the Sega store. Make your very next left. Ono Kau Kau will be on your left.