- Clam-Stock Miyako Soba at a Shipping-Container Diner in Nakachi, Irabu Island
- Minato Shokudo New Hamaya Is a Container Diner in the Nakachi Area
- Clam-Stock Miyako Soba Is the Signature Item
- The Bonito Tataki Is Superb Too
- The Fisherman-Style Tuna Is Popular Too
- The Menu Is Plentiful in Other Ways Too
- The Atmosphere Only a Container Diner Has
- Points to Note When Going to Minato Shokudo New Hamaya
- Visit Together with the Surrounding Sights
- Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
- I Want You to Experience a New Form of Miyako Soba
Clam-Stock Miyako Soba at a Shipping-Container Diner in Nakachi, Irabu Island
The first time I went to Minato Shokudo New Hamaya was while driving around Irabu Island. I crossed the Irabu Bridge and entered the island, and as I drove through the Nakachi area, a shop converted from a shipping container caught my eye — "a container? Interesting" — and I went over.
On the white container there was a sign reading "Minato Shokudo New Hamaya," and it had a stylish feel. When I looked at the menu, the words "clam Miyako soba" caught my eye, and I thought "Miyako soba with clam stock? That's unusual." Ordinary Miyako soba uses bonito and pork-bone stock, so clam stock was something I'd heard of for the first time.
I entered the shop, ordered, and said "clam Miyako soba, please." After about 10 minutes the soba was carried out — a clear golden soup, with several clam shells in it, topped with three-layer pork and yuzu peel. The moment I drank a mouthful of soup and thought "ah, this is delicious," I felt the clam stock was incredibly effective: a gentle taste yet with amazing umami.
The noodles were springy too, tangling with the soup deliciously, and the three-layer pork was tender, and I thought "this is completely different from ordinary Miyako soba." Because it's clam stock it's light, but the umami is deep.
I'll introduce the appeal of Minato Shokudo New Hamaya in detail, based on my actual experience of visiting. I'll write about the clam Miyako soba, the bonito tataki and the fisherman-style tuna — all of it — so if you're planning to go to Irabu Island, please absolutely drop by Minato Shokudo New Hamaya. You should be able to spend the greatest time, eating clam-stock Miyako soba and meeting a new taste of Irabu Island.
Minato Shokudo New Hamaya Is a Container Diner in the Nakachi Area
Minato Shokudo New Hamaya is a diner converted from a shipping container, in the Nakachi area of Irabu Island.
A Stylish Shop Converted from a Container
The exterior is a container itself, but it's stylishly converted, and the simple design of a white container with the shop name written on it stands out. At first I was surprised — "a diner in a container?" — but going inside it's a proper diner, with tables and chairs lined up and a sense of cleanliness.
Because it's a container the interior isn't that large, but it's a space where you can dine in a settled way. At first I heard "container" and thought "is it cramped?", but actually going in, it was comfortable.
A New Shop That Opened in December 2023
Minato Shokudo New Hamaya only opened in December 2023, so it's still a new shop. The owner is someone who relocated from Osaka to Miyako Island in 2020, and the name "New Hamaya" apparently plays on the Kansai-dialect word "sara" (meaning brand-new) and the "Sara" of Sarahama.
Being a new shop, the facilities are clean and the interior is kept tidy. Despite opening only recently, it's already become a popular shop with locals and tourists.
Opening Hours and Closing Days
Opening hours: 8:00–18:00 (last order 17:30)
Closing days: open year-round (occasionally closed)
▶"Please check the latest opening hours and closing days on [Tabelog: Minato Shokudo New Hamaya]"
Since they're open from 8 in the morning, it's nice you can eat morning soba. In Okinawa there's a custom of eating soba from the morning — they call it asa-soba (morning soba) — and Minato Shokudo New Hamaya is open from the morning too, so you can drop by for breakfast.
Since they're open until 18:00, you can drop by not just at noon but in the evening too. It says open year-round, but apparently there are occasional closures, so checking on Instagram before you go is more reliable.
Location and Access
Address: 282-3 Nakachi, Irabu, Miyakojima City, Okinawa
Phone: 0980-79-8971
Access: about 5 minutes by car from the Irabu Bridge
Minato Shokudo New Hamaya is in the Nakachi area of Irabu Island, about 10 minutes by car after crossing the Irabu Bridge and entering the island.
The car park has space for over 10 cars, and being large it's almost never full. I've been many times, but the car park has never once been full.
It's in a place easy to drop by while driving around Irabu Island, so you can visit casually in the middle of sightseeing.
Clam-Stock Miyako Soba Is the Signature Item
Minato Shokudo New Hamaya's signature item is the clam Miyako soba, and you can't go home without eating it.
The Difference from Ordinary Miyako Soba
Ordinary Miyako soba has a rich, full-bodied taste from bonito and pork-bone stock, but Minato Shokudo New Hamaya's clam Miyako soba is clam stock, so it's light yet has amazing umami.
The clam shells are in the soup as-is, so the appearance has impact too. At first I was surprised — "the shells are in it" — but I understood that this is what brings out the clam flavour firmly.
Since the stock is taken from Miyako-Island bonito flakes, clams and pork, complex umami layers up. It's a deliciousness completely different from bonito-stock Miyako soba, and I think it's a new form of Miyako soba.
The Deliciousness of the Soup Stands Out
The soup is incredibly delicious, and the clear golden soup has clam stock firmly working. The moment you drink it you think "ah, this is delicious," and it has a deep umami despite the gentle taste — you could drink any number of bowls.
I like bonito-stock Miyako soba too, but clam stock doesn't lose to it. Rather it has a different deliciousness, and being light I think it suits breakfast too.
I've repeated many times too, but every time I end up drinking all the soup. That's how delicious it is.
Three-Layer Pork and Yuzu Peel Are a Good Accent
The clam Miyako soba is topped with three-layer pork and yuzu peel, and the three-layer pork is tender and juicy, with just the right balance of fat and lean meat. Okinawan three-layer pork is like braised pork belly, simmered slowly, so it comes apart easily with chopsticks.
The yuzu peel makes a good accent, and the refreshing aroma is an outstanding match with the clam stock. Without the yuzu peel it might just be light and nothing more, but having the yuzu peel gives depth to the taste.
Springy Hand-Kneaded Noodles
The noodles are fresh noodles from Hisamatsu Seimen, hand-kneaded at the shop and finished into springy, crinkled noodles. Because they're hand-kneaded the noodles have unevenness, so the soup tangles well.
The springy texture is pleasant, and biting them you can feel the sweetness of the noodles too. Okinawa soba noodles are often on the soft side, but Minato Shokudo New Hamaya's noodles have firmness and are satisfying to eat.
I like the noodle texture too, and eaten together with the soup, the springiness and the clam umami spread in the mouth, making you feel happy.
The Bonito Tataki Is Superb Too
Besides the clam Miyako soba, the bonito tataki is recommended.
Made with Fresh Bonito
Irabu Island is an island where bonito fishing thrives, and at Sarahama Port the bonito landing volume is among the top in the prefecture. At Minato Shokudo New Hamaya, you can eat bonito tataki made with such fresh bonito.
Bonito tataki has only the surface seared, with the inside raw — a cooking method possible precisely because it's fresh. I've ordered the bonito tataki too, and it was incredibly delicious.
Refreshing with Garlic and Ginger
The bonito tataki is garnished with garlic and ginger, making for a refreshing taste. The umami of the bonito's fat combines with the flavour of the garlic and ginger, stirring the appetite.
Eaten with ponzu poured on, it's even more refreshing, and you could eat any number of slices. I often order the bonito tataki and clam Miyako soba together, enjoying both.
It Goes with Drinks Too
Bonito tataki goes with drinks too, so enjoying it with beer even from the daytime is nice. Eating it with Irabu Island's awamori "Honen" is also recommended, as you can fully savour the island's flavour.
I once ate bonito tataki while drinking awamori from the daytime too, and it was the greatest time.
The Fisherman-Style Tuna Is Popular Too
The fisherman-style tuna is also a popular item at Minato Shokudo New Hamaya, where you can savour fresh tuna boldly.
Fisherman-Style Plating
Fisherman-style (ryoushi-zukuri) originally refers to a seafood bowl where fishermen boldly filleted and seasoned the fish they caught on the boat, and at Minato Shokudo New Hamaya it's seasoned with a traditional secret sesame sauce.
The plating is bold too, with plenty of tuna on the bowl. The vivid colour of the tuna's red flesh stirs the appetite.
The Secret Sesame Sauce Is Delicious
The secret sesame sauce is incredibly delicious, drawing out the umami of the tuna. The sesame sauce is on the sweet side and goes well with the tuna's red flesh.
I've eaten the fisherman-style tuna too, and the taste of the sesame sauce is exquisite, making the tuna even more delicious.
You Can Make It Ochazuke Too
To finish, you can pour piping-hot stock over it and make it ochazuke too, so if you ask the staff they'll bring the stock. Eat it as a bowl at first, then make it ochazuke partway through, and you can enjoy two tastes.
I've eaten it made into ochazuke too, and the stock tangled with the tuna and sesame sauce, and it could be eaten smoothly and was delicious.
The Menu Is Plentiful in Other Ways Too
Minato Shokudo New Hamaya has various other menu items too.
Set-Meal Menu
Tuna bowl, bonito bowl, seafood bowl and more — bowl dishes using fresh fish are plentiful. They all use fresh fish caught on Irabu Island, so the taste is a sure thing.
The set meals come with miso soup and a small side dish, so you can dine in a balanced way. I order set meals too sometimes, and there's volume and you can be satisfied.
À la Carte Dishes
Bonito tataki, an assorted sashimi platter, goya champuru and more — the à la carte dishes are substantial too. Nibbling various dishes while drinking is fun too.
When I went with friends, we ordered various à la carte dishes and ate sharing them. They were all delicious, and the conversation flowed.
Drink Menu
Orion Beer, awamori, soft drinks and more — the drink menu is in place too. Irabu Island's awamori "Honen" is stocked too, so you can enjoy the island's liquor.
I often dine while drinking beer too, and drinking ice-cold beer on a hot day is the greatest.
The Atmosphere Only a Container Diner Has
Minato Shokudo New Hamaya's appeal is the atmosphere only a container diner has.
Casual and Easy to Enter
Because it's a container it has a casual atmosphere and is easy to enter casually. There's no being tense like at a high-end restaurant, and you can drop by in rough clothes.
The feel of being able to swing by in the middle of sightseeing is nice for travellers. I've entered with just a T-shirt over my swimsuit too, and it was no problem at all.
A Stylish Space
Casual, but it's a stylish space. With wooden tables and chairs lined up in the white container, it's a simple yet refined design.
You can take photos that look good on social media too, so it's popular with young people as well. I've taken photos and posted them on Instagram too.
Homely Service
The staff's service is homely, with a warm atmosphere. Perhaps because the owner is someone who relocated from Osaka, they give friendly service.
As I visited many times, I became a familiar face with the staff, and they came to say "you've come again." I think this kind of warmth is what's increasing the repeat customers.
Points to Note When Going to Minato Shokudo New Hamaya
Let me list a few points to note when going to Minato Shokudo New Hamaya.
Check the Opening Days
It says open year-round, but there are occasional closures, so it's better to check the opening days on Instagram before you go. I once went and it was closed, and since then I make a point of always checking Instagram.
The Instagram account is @newhamaya, and any changes to opening hours or closing days are posted, so following it is convenient.
It Gets Crowded at Lunchtime
Lunchtime (around 12–1) can get crowded, and you may wait. Go early or shift the time, and you can get in smoothly.
When I went at lunchtime I waited a little too, but even so it was about 10 minutes. Because it's a container the number of seats is limited, so it's safer to avoid the crowded times.
Possibly Cash Payment Only
I couldn't confirm whether cashless payment is accepted, so it's better to bring cash just in case. Many small shops in Okinawa are cash only, so preparing cash in advance is reassuring.
I make a point of bringing cash too, and since there's no ATM nearby, I recommend preparing in advance.
A Rental Car Is Necessary
Since it's hard to get there by public transport, a rental car is necessary. Irabu Island is inconvenient to move around without a car, so rent a car on Miyako Island and come across the Irabu Bridge.
The car park is large, so you won't struggle for a place to park. I always go by rental car too.
Visit Together with the Surrounding Sights
There are other sights around Minato Shokudo New Hamaya too, so visiting them together is good.
Irabu Bridge
It's about 5 minutes by car from Minato Shokudo New Hamaya to the Irabu Bridge, and the Irabu Bridge is a 3,540-metre toll-free bridge, the longest in Japan. The view from the bridge is spectacular too, so crossing the bridge before or after your meal is also recommended.
The Miyako-blue sea seen from the bridge is, I think, a view you'll want to see once in your life.
Toguchi-no-Hama
Toguchi-no-Hama, about 10 minutes by car from Minato Shokudo New Hamaya, is Irabu Island's most famous beach. Relaxing at the beach after your meal is nice too.
The white-sand beach and the emerald-green sea are beautiful, and swimming and walking on the sand both feel good.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Let me gather and answer the questions often asked about Minato Shokudo New Hamaya.
Q1: Where is Minato Shokudo New Hamaya?
It's in the Nakachi area of Irabu Island. A separate place from Sarahama Port.
Q2: What are the opening hours?
8:00–18:00 (last order 17:30).
Q3: What are the closing days?
Open year-round, but there are occasional closures. It's better to check on Instagram.
Q4: Is there a car park?
Yes. Space for over 10 cars.
Q5: What's the signature item?
Clam Miyako soba.
Q6: What other items are there?
Bonito tataki, fisherman-style tuna, seafood bowl and more.
Q7: What's the price range?
The clam Miyako soba is around ¥800 (about US$5). A reasonable price range.
Q8: Are reservations needed?
Not needed. However, it can get crowded at lunchtime.
Q9: Is it OK with children?
It's OK. The casual atmosphere makes it easy to enter.
Q10: Can I drop by for breakfast?
You can. They're open from 8 in the morning.
Q11: Can I use a credit card?
I couldn't confirm, so bringing cash is more reassuring.
Q12: Is it near Sarahama Port?
It's in a separate place from Sarahama Port. It's in the Nakachi area.
I Want You to Experience a New Form of Miyako Soba
What I felt most strongly from visiting Minato Shokudo New Hamaya many times was that this is a shop proposing a new form of Miyako soba.
When you say Miyako soba, bonito and pork-bone stock is the standard, but Minato Shokudo New Hamaya uses clam stock to create a completely new Miyako soba. There's the visual impact of the clam shells being in the soup as-is, and the gentle yet deep-umami soup is a taste you can't forget once you eat it.
At first I was half in doubt — "Miyako soba with clam stock?" — but actually eating it, I was surprised by its deliciousness. It's light yet the umami is deep, and it has a deliciousness completely different from bonito-stock Miyako soba. It's not a matter of which is better — both have a different deliciousness, and I think you should enjoy both.
The noodles are hand-kneaded and finished into springy crinkled noodles too, tangling well with the soup. The three-layer pork is tender and juicy, and the refreshing aroma of the yuzu peel makes a good accent. Every element is perfectly balanced — a calculated deliciousness.
The novel style of a shop converted from a container is also Minato Shokudo New Hamaya's appeal. It's casual and easy to enter, but it's a stylish space, and tourists and locals alike can drop by casually. The homely service is pleasant too, making you want to visit again and again.
The owner relocated from Osaka, and although it's a new shop that only opened in December 2023, it's already loved by locals and tourists. That's because of the deliciousness of the food, the comfortable space and the warm service, I think.
Irabu Island has many delicious diners, but Minato Shokudo New Hamaya is special. It's taking on the new taste of clam-stock Miyako soba, and succeeding at it. When you come to Irabu Island, please absolutely drop by Minato Shokudo New Hamaya.
Cross the Irabu Bridge and enter the island, and as you drive through the Nakachi area, the white container shop comes into view. That's Minato Shokudo New Hamaya. Park your car in the car park, enter the shop, and order the clam Miyako soba. Wait about 10 minutes, smell the aroma of the soba carried out, and drink a mouthful of soup. In that moment, the clam umami spreads in your mouth and you should think "ah, this is it."
Slurp the springy noodles, eat the tender three-layer pork, and enjoy the aroma of the yuzu peel. Drink all the soup, and leave the shop with a satisfied face. And think "let's come again."
Minato Shokudo New Hamaya is that kind of shop. Once you go, you want to go again. Clam-stock Miyako soba is a taste you can't forget once you eat it.
Please do experience a new form of Miyako soba. I want you to meet a new taste at a new famous shop of Irabu Island. It's a casual, easy-to-enter shop, so please drop by casually. And eat the clam-stock Miyako soba, and feel its deliciousness for yourself.
Minato Shokudo New Hamaya is a shop you must visit when you come to Irabu Island — I can say that with confidence.
