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Flavors of Okinawa

Urumarché-the Heart of Farm to Table Food

Discover why this Okinawa marketplace is the perfect place to take your tastebuds on a culinary adventure

For travelers, it is always a good sign when you find a place that is popular with the locals. Urumarché, a market in Uruma City, is a focal point for local food, filled with products from every corner of Okinawa. It is a must-visit when you’re visiting Okinawa’s east coast.

Discover delicious fresh food

When it opened in 2018, Urumarché became a place for businesses and customers to connect over food. It is a venue where consumers can get valuable information on the products they purchase, straight from the source. These days, it attracts people from across Okinawa.

Urumarché is a great place for tourists to shop if they’re planning a BBQ. It has fresh vegetables, fish, and meats, along with prepared bento boxes and a deli counter. It is a great place to take a lunch break while on your travels. Urumarché’s food court and restaurants provide a delicious array of dishes for visitors.

Connecting through food

When farmers deliver their crops to Urumarché, customers often ask for advice on how to prepare them. The market has become a valuable place for communication between buyers and farmers. Urumarché can also function as a collaborative workplace where people can gather and use the kitchen studios and conference areas.

The active connections between farmers and their customers have allowed the creation of new dishes through the collaborative exchange of ideas. Food is an essential part of life, and Urumarché wants to bring cheer to Uruma City through culinary adventures and discovery.

Urumarché is also the perfect place to purchase dried goods, confectioneries, and seasonings. Shimamugi Kanasan, a locally produced wheat flour brand, is loved by local bakers, pizza makers, and chefs, who praise the flour’s springy texture and premium quality. Bread made using Shimamugi Kanasan is sold at the Urumarché bakery, and the smell of freshly baked breads and pastries greets customers.

In addition to the culinary haven of Urumarché, the east coast of Okinawa Island is a gateway to incredible beaches, and island hopping. Make some time to stop by; your taste buds will thank you.

Posted on 2021/1/29
Last updated 2021/12/20
Text by Kei Itaya
Magazine editor, writer, newspaper journalist in Tokyo and NYC for more than 15 years. Returned to her hometown of Okinawa in 2019.
This interview was conducted based on the guidelines for preventing the spread of COVID-19.

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