Kumamoto has excellent food. As well as several specialties like Kumamoto ramen and taipien, you’ll find a range of national and overseas dishes, plus some great desserts and drinks. Here is just a small selection of great restaurants in Kumamoto if you fancy eating out.
Katsuretsutei Shinshigai Honten
Although it’s renowned for its tonkatsu (breaded, deep-fried pork), Katsuretsutei Shingai Honten also served up delicious prawns. You should definitely visit this restaurant if you have an appetite as you’ll be able to eat plenty – you receive unlimited rice, cabbage, and tsukemono (pickles) with your meal.
Location: 8-18 Shinshigai, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto 860-0803
Hours: Every day, 11:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Keika Ramen Honten
You can’t visit Kumamoto without trying ramen. There are plenty of options, but a top choice has to be the famous Keika Ramen Honten, which serves traditional Kumamoto ramen with a strong garlic aroma. Another favorite dish is called whole meat ramen, made with three types of pork and a secret sauce.
Location: 11-9 Hanabatacho, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto 860-0806
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. (closes at 1:00 a.m. on Friday & Saturday); Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 4:20 p.m.
Akaushi Semmon Kumamoto Koshitsuyakiniku
One of the best places to eat grilled meat in Kumamoto. This restaurant specializes in beef (particularly tongue), not surprising considering that akaushi is a breed of brown cattle local to Kumamoto prefecture. The meat is recommended for its intense flavors and lean cuts.
Location: 1-10-3 Shimotori, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto
Hours: Monday to Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., 12:30 a.m. to 4:00 a.m.
Kokutei
Another great local ramen restaurant, this place has been serving up mouth-watering Kumamoto tonkotsu ramen since 1957. Using slightly thicker noodles than many other restaurants and flavored with a creamy pork bone and chicken broth to which a touch of burnt garlic is added.
Website: https://kokutei.co.jp/
Korantei Shimotori
This Chinese restaurant in the bustling Shimotori shopping arcade plates up plenty of classics such as sweet and sour pork, but what makes it slightly unique is its taipien. This Chinese imported broth is paired with glass noodles, and Korantei has been the go-to place to try this popular Kumamoto dish since it opened in 1934. You can also find a set menu here, making it a good value choice for eating out.
Website: https://www.kourantei.com/
This article contains just a small selection of the many great restaurants in Kumamoto. While you should definitely check out all of the above, also be sure to visit any other places you come across that look interesting. With a wide variety of Japanese and international food available in Kumamoto, you’re likely to find your own hidden gems.
くろふね, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
