Scat picked us up at Ckucke’s after the Monday Night Freeride, and we stopped by at Hide-chan restaurant in Mo’ili’ili. The word “rafute” caught the corner of my eye as I was glancing over at the menu written on sheets of paper affixed to the wall. Mmm… I hadn’t had Okinawa-style simmered pork belly in a while, so my mind was made up. Both Ckucke and I ordered the miso rafute-don. Root and Scat got the katsuo tataki teishoku. The miso rafute don for those unfamiliar with this is a donburi (large bowl of rice served with an entrée topping) topped with large, thick pork belly chunks that have been simmered in a sauce primarily flavored with shoyu and miso. A pinch of kizami beni shouga (thinly slivered pickled ginger) garnished the top. The pork was tender and appropriately fatty. I could cut the pork with chopsticks! The flavor was outstanding. Shiawase! Sides of miso soup and tsukemono (pickles, in this case radish) were included as part of the meal. If fatty pork bugs you, best steer clear of this one (the more for us who love it!). It’s not inherently unhealthy – just don’t overdo it. It is not uncommon for people to live past 100 in Okinawa, just remember that the people who live that long generally don’t have an “American” caloric intake (especially in the serving size of meat), have a diet high in vegetables, and engage in rigorous physical work daily.
I haven’t had such good rafute since having some “home-cooked” many years ago.
Highly recommended
Four out of four grinning monkeys
Around $15 USD including tax and tip
That was probably the best thing I’ve eaten there to date. And everything else I’ve had there has been really good. The goya tempura was also good, especially considering I don’t normally like goya.