LOCAL FOOD GUIDE

Local food and restaurants in Kumamoto

Kumamoto’s basashi is raw horse meat, while karashi renkon is a cooked dish of lotus root filled with mustard miso and fried in a coating. The latter combines crunchy lotus root with a sharp mustard flavour. Knowing the ingredients helps you choose what you are comfortable eating.

Local dishes to try in Kumamoto

  • Basashi horse sashimi
  • Karashi renkon

Choosing a meal in Kumamoto

After Kumamoto Castle, the local menu names can be unfamiliar: basashi is raw horse meat and karashi renkon contains mustard miso. Check the ingredients with your group before choosing a restaurant around downtown.

Where to look for restaurants

After Kumamoto Castle, look toward the Kamitori and Shimotori shopping streets for a meal. Leave time to get from downtown back to Kumamoto Station if you have a train to catch.

Nearby sights
Kumamoto Castle · Sakuramachi
Transport nearby
Kumamoto Station · Torichosuji Station

Restaurant reservations in Kumamoto

Find restaurants in this area on AutoReserve, then choose a date, time and party size. Read the menu, total price and cancellation terms before you book. Availability can change between visits.

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More about the local food

Read more about regional dishes and food traditions in these official guides. For a particular restaurant’s menu, prices and booking terms, use its own website or reservation page.

Official sources checked:

Written and updated by: JapanLiveNow team · · Suggest a correction