Kumamoto Dining

Kumamoto is known for its diverse cuisine. As well as Japanese food, you can find restaurants in Kumamoto serving food from all over the world, including from China, India, South Korea, and Turkey. During your time in Kumamoto, don’t neglect to try some of the local dishes, though. Here are a few in particular that are particularly representative of the prefecture. Basashi The most famous dish from Kumamoto is horse meat sashimi, a.k.a. basashi. Although less popular with tourists, it’s a favorite with locals due to the lean meat’s low fat and high protein content. The taste of basashi itself is quite mild, although the dish is usually served with other ingredients that have more intense flavors, such as garlic, ginger, and soy sauce. Another way to eat horse meat in Kumamoto is in a hot pot. When cooked, the meat is more tender. Kumamoto Ramen Although ramen is available widely across Japan, each region has slightly different variations. Kumamoto ramen uses a broth made from pork bone along with medium-sized noodles. It typically features several toppings, but the defining flavor is garlic from the roasted chips and garlic-infused oil. Taipien Another noodle dish from Kumamoto is taipien. The soup…