Dining in Causeway Bay | Rakuen | High-quality Okinawan cuisine worth a second visit.

Celebrating a birthday dinner with my bestie, the birthday girl suggested going to "Rakuen" for Okinawan cuisine. As soon as we stepped out of the elevator, we were greeted by Hello Kitty. We were seated in a private room. The menu was filled with Okinawan specialties. Sea grapes directly imported from Okinawa ($68) were plump, translucent, and had a crisp texture. Low in calories and high in nutrition. Peanut tofu ($68) wasn’t actually tofu. Its texture was different from regular silky tofu, with a strong peanut flavor—worth trying. Tomato and octopus salad ($148) included tomatoes, octopus, lemon, and onions. The tangy dressing was refreshing and appetizing. Salt-grilled beef tongue (per skewer $58) was chewy and perfectly seasoned. Grilled Japanese chicken cartilage patties ($78) came in three pieces per serving, though slightly salty. Fried chicken cartilage ($68) was different from the usual cartilage dishes, as it included chicken skin, making it extra crispy and flavorful. A classic Okinawan dish, bitter melon stir-fried with pork ($98), also included tofu and eggs. It was rich in ingredients and tasted good. Grilled mentaiko ($88) had a savory flavor, and adding grated radish enhanced its freshness. Japanese-style grilled pork cartilage ($84) was tender and well-marinated. Okinawan AGU pork dumplings ($68) were a popular choice. Okinawan-style fried pork and taro croquettes ($68) had a crispy exterior and soft interior. The taro was well-prepared, though the pork ratio was relatively small. Homemade Okinawan black sugar mochi ($62) was served warm, and the soybean powder added depth to the flavor. Homemade Okinawan-style donuts (each $18) were a hit with my bestie. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and not overly sweet or greasy.