The Oki Islands are the part of Japan closest to Korea. I think I heard they’re closer to Dokdo than Ulleungdo is.. something like that. I went there once for fun a while back, but it’s such a quiet place that nothing was open after 7 p.m., which was pretty frustrating.
Do people actually come to such a desolate island? Quite a few, actually. Sea anglers, that is. Going out on a boat to fish seems to be a lot of fun. Tourists come by too, to some extent. Even though it’s pretty far from the mainland, I was surprised that phones and the internet worked just fine. Technology really is amazing..
There’s one thing from the Oki Islands that’s famous nationwide, and that’s the beef. On the islands the cattle are raised free-range. Actually, rather than being raised, maybe it’s more like the cattle just grow up on their own. They’re very tasty-looking black cattle, but there’s nowhere on the islands to slaughter these fine animals, so when I went there I couldn’t find a single place to eat Oki beef. Such a shame.. It’s like Daisen chicken, which was all the rage in Tokyo, yet there isn’t a single specialty restaurant for it back home where it comes from.. Seeing things like this makes you wonder what the point is of going to the source to look for good food..
Meanwhile, I had the chance to go to a restaurant specializing in Oki Islands cuisine. It was insanely expensive and the portions were stingy, but the beef was definitely good. So if you asked me to go there a second time I probably wouldn’t, but I’m leaving it here for the record.
Beef
It had a powerful presence. But the portion is way too small.
Chawanmushi
Felt a bit half-hearted..
Sashimi
Good condition, but again, the portion is way too small.
Grilling the beef
Starter side dishes
Shime saba (cured mackerel)
Prawn and turban shell
What was this again..
And the soup..
The portions were so small it made me angry, but I’ll just have to put up with it.. It’s not like I’ll ever be going back.