So-ki soba noodles and farmers market in Miyako Island

MJ: Although Nico and I don't really like Miyako traditional foods, we LOOOOOOVE Miyako soba. It is so simple, but so ridiculously tasty. And generally, incredibly cheap as well.

Our favourite is probably 'so-ki soba'. It is stewed pork ribs (with the carilage still attached) over soba noodles, and a beautiful gentle flavoured broth. The noodles aren't the normal brown/grey soba noodles most people know about- they are white and quite thick, but nowhere close to udon sized.

While we were in Miyakojima, Nico and I were searching for the best so-ki soba we could find. We went to a little tiny shop called Koja Honten. It was Tucked behind several streets, and all the staff were middle aged women.

After Nico and I had sat done and ordered, one of the staff came over and asked where we were from. When I said Australia, she was really excited 'I guess you must speak English!! Will you listen to my English for me?' and she started to speak at top speed in English at me. After talking for a few minutes we found out that she was about to turn 80, and spends each Saturday at English Conversation School practicing English. Her reason? Occasionally she gets tourists in her restaurant and she wants to be able to speak to them about their orders. Although　Miyako accented, her English was really good. And all to speak to tourists wanting to order noodles. She was absolutely amazing!

And the so-ki soba was unbelievably good!

Nico:　I love to go shopping  to local supermarket wherever I go traveling. So we went to some local supermarkets in Miyako Island too. I love farmers markets especially.

Taken from http://travel.jp.msn.com/domestic_guide/B47011907.html

I especially love `Atarasu-ichiba'. This is one of the farmer's markets in Miyako island. They are open from 9:00am to 7:00pm. At the end of 2011, they opened until noon.  

In Miyako island, you can buy lots of tropical fruits there. They are cheap and fresh. If you don't know when the fruits are ripe for eating, the clerks tell it kindly to you. 

In summer, me and MJ bought lots of cheap and yummy apple mangoes there. And this winter, we bought lots of mandarins and a custard apple. Of course, there are not only fruits, but also some local produces. I looove guava leaf tea. It helps to lose weight, and is really tasty.

Of course, there are also normal supermarkets convenience stores in Miyako island. But around normal price and just usual foods found anywhere in Japan.  

And.... I want to introduce another restaurant in Miyako island.

It is in the youth hostel we stayed at a first time in Miyako. The name is Koshibaru-shokudou'. It's not open for very long each day, but the dishes are so yummy.

                                                               

This is so-ki soba too. The meat is different from Koja-honten's one. Soup is different too. I love this one the best. It's only 550yen.

This one is MJ's favorite. It's called dragon soba. It is Miyako soba but instead of so-ki meat, lots of spicy vegetables.

In Miyako island, you can eat lots of yummy foods whatever the season.