Get a dose of culture at the 37th Annual Okinawan Festival this weekend at the Hawaii Convention Center.

In addition to Okinawan foods, performances and exhibits, the festival will feature an Okinawan street market, “Heeia Doori,” showcasing specialty foods such as konbu (dried kelp), bitter melon tea and kokuto (black sugar candy).

Also visit the country store with fresh, locally grown products.

This week, try some favorite Okinawan recipes:

OKINAWAN SOBA (NOODLE SOUP)

By Hawaiian Electric Co.

• 2 pounds pork bones
• 1/2 pound pork belly
• 3 quarts water
• 1-1/2 cups bonito flakes
• 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
• 4 tablespoons low-sodium shoyu, divided
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons pork stock
• 1 tablespoon mirin (Japanese sweet rice wine)
• 1 (14-ounce) package fresh Okinawan soba (wheat noodles)
• 1/3 block (7-ounce size) kamaboko (Japanese steamed fish cake), cut into 8 thin slices
• 1 green onion, cut into 3-inch lengths

In pot, cover pork bones and pork belly with water. Bring to a boil; drain and rinse. Add the 3 quarts water; bring again to a boil. Cover, lower heat and simmer 30 minutes. Skim and continue cooking for 30 more minutes.

Remove pork bones from stock and discard; remove pork belly and cut into 3-by-2-by-1/4-inch slices.

To stock, add bonito flakes; boil 2 minutes. Strain stock and discard flakes. Add salt and 1 tablespoon shoyu; simmer 2 more minutes.

In skillet, combine sugar, pork stock, remaining 3 tablespoons shoyu and mirin; bring to a boil. Add pork slices and cook, turning occasionally, until well glazed.

Cook soba noodles according to package instructions; drain. Place noodles in 4 serving bowls; add seasoned stock. Garnish with pork, kamaboko, and green onion. Serves 4.

Approximate nutritional information, per serving: 800 calories, 34 g fat, 12 g saturated fat, 70 mg cholesterol, greater than 1,500 mg sodium, 95 g carbohydrate, no fiber, 7 g sugar, 34 g protein.

BITTER MELON AND BEAN SPROUT SALAD

By Hawaiian Electric Co.

• 1/2 (12-ounce) package bean sprouts
• 1/2 pound bitter melon
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon dashi no moto (soup stock granules)
• 2 tablespoons hot water
• 3 tablespoons peanut butter
• 1-1/2 tablespoons miso
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 5 teaspoons rice vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

In small pot, cook bean sprouts in boiling water 3 minutes. Rinse under cold water and drain.

Cut bitter melon into lengthwise halves and remove seeds; slice thinly crosswise. Sprinkle with salt, mix. Rinse with cold water; drain.

In medium bowl, dissolve dashi no moto in hot water; cool. Add remaining ingredients. Mix sauce with bean sprouts and bitter melon. Chill. Serves 6.

Approximate nutritional information, per serving: 90 calories, 4.5 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, no cholesterol, 550 mg sodium, 11 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 7 g sugar, 4 g protein.

JUSHI (SEASONED RICE)

By Hawaiian Electric Co.

• 5 medium shiitake (dried mushrooms)
• 5 cups water, divided
• Pinch of sugar
• 1/2 pound pork belly or boneless pork butt
• 1/2 cup kiri konbu (dried seaweed strips) or nishime konbu, cut into 1-inch strips
• 1/2 teaspoon dashi no moto (soup stock granules)
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium shoyu
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 3 cups rice, washed and drained

In small bowl, soak shiitake in 1-1/2 cups water and a pinch of sugar for at least 30 minutes or overnight. Drain, saving liquid. Remove and discard shiitake stems; dice caps.

In saucepan, cover pork with water; bring to a boil, drain and rinse. Add remaining 3-1/2 cups water to pork; bring again to a boil, lower heat and simmer 20 minutes. Remove pork, saving stock; cool and dice.

Combine pork stock and shiitake liquid. If necessary, add water to equal 4-1/2 cups.

Wash and drain konbu.

In saucepan, combine pork, shiitake, konbu, dashi no moto, shoyu, salt and oil. Cover and simmer 7 to 10 minutes.

In rice cooker pot; combine rice and pork mixture; cook about 30 to 45 minutes or until done. Serves 8.

Approximate nutritional information, per serving: 470 calories, 17 g fat, 6 g saturated fat, 20 mg cholesterol, 600 mg sodium, 67 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 1 g sugar, 9 g protein.

More Hawaiian Electric Co. recipes are available at hawaiianelectric.com.