Mimiga Crunchy Pig Ear Delicacy

Mimiga is an Okinawan regional dish of pig ear that is boiled and thinly sliced. It symbolizes the Okinawan food culture of using every part of the pig, and offers the unique crunchy texture of cartilage. It is enjoyed with various seasonings such as ponzu, vinegar miso, or a peanut dressing.

Highlights

Rich in collagen, it charms with a crunchy bite and a refreshing flavor. It can be tossed with cucumber and island vegetables or dressed in peanut miso, with each shop offering its own arrangement. It pairs superbly with awamori and is a standard snack at local pubs.

Enjoying the Seasons

The refreshing vinegared style is perfect for stirring the appetite in the hot season. It appears on pub menus year round, but the chilled summer version is especially recommended.

Access and Basic Information

You can taste it at pubs around the Makishi Public Market and Kokusai-dori in Naha. Deli shops in the market also sell it in packs, easy to take home and enjoy.

A Quick Tip

The unusual texture may surprise you at first, but the vinegar miso version is easy to eat and a great introduction. Be sure to enjoy it with awamori.