When you crave a proper sandwich, none of that fluffly white shokupan varieties at the convenience store will do. Thankfully there's Better Girl, a breakfast cafe at the heart of Naha City in Okinawa that aspires to do the sandwich right. They're serious enough in their mission that they (along with their affiliated company: the Welcome Store in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture) send staff to Portland once a year to learn everything about their craft.
And their training pays off. You step into Better Girl, pulled in by the aroma of freshly brewed coffee (a light roast that's more delightful than darker roast counterparts) and something irresistibly delicious off the hot grill. The rough concrete finish and windows that stretch across two floors is the perfect backdrop for a clean, minimalist feel -- the sort that inspires creativity. And this is exactly the energy you want at the beginning of the day.
I came for the sandwich, opting for pulled pork. Better Girl uses hearty brown bread embedded with whole grains, buttered up and toasted on the grill as only the most satisfying sandwiches should. The stuff in between is every bit as healthy and delicious as it looks.
Better Girl is sought out for its distinctive menu, particularly Shakshouka, a breakfast dish from the Middle East. Better Girl's take on Shakshouka consists of roast pork, lots of vegetables and protein rich quinoa. The dish is simmered in tomato sauce and spices, finished with a poached egg and feta cheese on top, and served with slices of brown bread. It is hard to find anything else so satisfying to start your day.
Better Girl's open kitchen layout allows you to watch your meal being prepared so effortlessly by expert hands.
