Aso: Grilled-Fish Set Lunches with Oversized Fillets

Aso is a family-run counter in Matsuyama, Naha, that has spent decades doing one thing: grilled-fish teishoku at lunch. It uses mainland fish rather than Okinawan species. The fillets run roughly one and a half to three times the usual size. The signature is gindara misoyaki, a half-side of miso-glazed black cod that reviewers describe as melting in the mouth. Aso was selected for Tabelog's "Tabelog 100" diner list in 2024 and 2026.

Reviewers come back to the grilling again and again: crisp skin over soft, fatty flesh. After the gindara, the most praised dishes are buri teriyaki (glazed yellowtail), hokke butter-yaki (butter-grilled Atka mackerel), matōdai (John Dory) and tai miso-butter (sea bream). The rice comes with free refills and is often called outstanding. You choose from four or five miso soups, often clam or nameko. The three or four side dishes, such as iri-dōfu, shirasu-oroshi and simmered vegetables, are generous and carefully made.

Price is the main complaint. The menu shows no prices, and many diners were surprised at the till. Several felt the meal was good but not worth close to ¥4,000. In August 2026, two guests with reservations were asked to wait 15–20 minutes while others were seated, and one left without eating. Service slows when the room is full.

Reviewers recently paid around ¥3,850–3,900 for the gindara misoyaki, rising to ¥4,300 by mid-2026. Other recent prices were ¥3,300–3,900 for buri teriyaki, ¥3,800 for tai miso-butter, ¥3,500 for salmon butter-yaki and ¥4,400 for amadai (tilefish) misoyaki. Lunch typically costs ¥3,000–4,500 per person. There is no dinner service.

For the quality and the sheer quantity, most reviewers think the price is fair. As a casual lunch it is expensive, and value-minded diners are divided.

• Getting there: about 333 m (5–8 minutes on foot) from Kenchō-mae Station on the Yui Rail monorail.
• Payment: cash only. Credit cards, electronic money and QR payments are not accepted, and prices are not on the menu, so bring ¥3,500–4,500 per person.
• Booking: not required, but recommended. Bookings are taken by phone on 098-868-7880. Walk-ins typically queue 15–30 minutes, and even booked tables sometimes wait.
• Timing: fish is grilled to order, so allow 15–25 minutes for your food.
• Seating: no private rooms, and the venue cannot be hired for private use. The restaurant is non-smoking.
• Parking: none.
• Language: an English menu has been reported.