1Korantei Shimodori Main Branch

Enjoy Kumamoto's soul food, Taipingyen, at a long-established restaurant founded in 1934

"Tai Ping Yen" is so familiar to locals that it is even served in school lunches, and is on the menus of many Chinese restaurants. At first glance, it looks like champon, but its biggest feature is that it uses healthy glass noodles instead of Chinese noodles.
One of the restaurants said to be the birthplace of Taipingyen is "Korantei Shimodori Main Branch," which was founded in 1934 (Showa 9). The signature "Taipingyen" is characterized by its rich soup made from a blend of chicken bones and pork bones, and its 100% mung bean glass noodles, which are chewy and don't stretch easily. Natural salt from Fujian Province, China is used for seasoning. A variety of ingredients such as fried egg, shrimp, squid, pork, and cabbage create layers of flavor.

The stately interior design exudes the dignity of a long-established establishment

For lunch, they offer set menus such as the "Tai Ping Yen Course" with shrimp chili sauce and fried rice, and the "Sour Pork Ribs Set Meal," as well as the "Tai Ping Yen" a la carte menu. Orders can be placed until 5 p.m., making this a great place to stop by if you miss lunchtime.
The store underwent a major renovation in 2020, giving it a stylish and luxurious feel. It was designed by leading Japanese architect Hiroshi Naito. The space is based on solid wood with red accents, exuding the dignity and quality of a long-established store.

Korantei Shimodori Main Branch

• https://www.kourantei.com
• 5-26 Anseicho, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
• About 3 minutes walk from the tram stop "Torimachi-suji"
• 11:00-21:00 (Lunch last order 17:00, Dinner last order 20:00)
• December 31st, January 1st
• 096-352-7177
• None

2uni (sea urchin)

A hearty seafood champon filled with the flavors of Kumamoto

Restaurant specializes in charcoal-grilled dishes. For lunch, you can enjoy a casual menu of elaborate dishes using local ingredients, including noodles, rice bowls, and set meals.
One of the most popular dishes is the "Amakusa Daio Seafood Soy Sauce Champon" served on a large plate with plenty of ingredients. The soup is made with the broth of Kumamoto's local chicken "Amakusa Daio" and is infused with the flavors of a variety of ingredients such as shrimp, squid, clams, pork, and cabbage, making it an excellent match with the bouncy Chinese noodles. What's more, you can choose the amount of noodles from "no noodles, half a bowl, one bowl, or two bowls" for free.

A relaxing atmosphere where you can relax after your meal

Other lunch options include a set menu featuring Kumamoto's famous brand of chicken, Oasodori, curry made with Hinomoto pork, a brand of pork from Izumi-machi, Kumamoto Prefecture, and rare domestic lamb, Aso Shirohitsuji, among other dishes that are uniquely Kumamoto. All menu items come with a salad and drink, so you can be sure to find a satisfying meal.
The interior of the restaurant has a modern and stylish atmosphere, with counters and tables made of solid wood, creating a luxurious space. There is also a raised tatami room at the back of the restaurant, so you can relax and unwind.

uni (sea urchin)

• https://www.instagram.com/uni__info
• DORO BUILD 1F 4-7 Suidocho, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
• Approximately 6 minutes walk from the tram stop "Suidocho" or "Torichosuji"
• 11:30~15:00 (LO14:00), 17:30~22:00 (LO21:00)
  *Lunch on Sundays only - 16:00 (last orders 15:00)
• Open daily
• 096-352-1001
• None
• Sunday dinner requires reservation by the day before

3Snow Flower Mountain

A soba restaurant where you can enjoy the "soba-mae" culture

The owner blends buckwheat seeds carefully selected from all over Japan each season and grinds them in-house in a stone mill. The buckwheat noodles are all handmade using pure spring water from Kumamoto, and are characterized by their smooth texture and rich aroma. The crisp, rich, refreshing broth enhances the flavor.

In order to enjoy soba to the fullest, they recommend the "soba-mae" style, which is a way of enjoying sake with side dishes while waiting for the soba to be cooked. Why not try it with a local sake recommended by the owner?

A luxurious moment away from the hustle and bustle, enjoying some soba noodles.

There are a variety of soba menus, from simple dishes such as "Zaru Soba" (1,500 yen) and "Kake Soba" (1,500 yen) that allow you to fully enjoy the deliciousness of the soba itself, to creative and seasonal dishes, so you can discover new deliciousness every time you visit. All of this is made possible by the careful work of the basic soba making.
The restaurant is located on a quiet street called "Uenouradori," just off the main street of the Kamitori Arcade. If you want to have a quiet drink at a soba restaurant, why not go in through the noren curtain?

Snow Flower Mountain

• https://www.sekkasanbo.com
• 7-22 Kamitorimachi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
• Approximately 6 minutes walk from the tram stop "Torimachisuji" or "Suidocho"
• 11:30-14:30 (LO14:00), 17:30-21:30 (LO21:00)
  *The shop will close once the soba noodles are sold out.
• Wednesdays (open on public holidays, closed the following day)
• 096-327-5078
• None

4Amamiya

Take off your shoes and relax at this oasis-like sweet shop in the city

This sweet shop was founded in 1998 and is located on the second floor of a building just inside Kamitori Arcade. Completely different from the bustling atmosphere of the arcade, once you climb the stairs you will find a calm, Japanese-style space where you can take off your shoes and relax.
Although sweets are the main focus, you can also enjoy hearty meals such as udon, curry, and tonkatsu, making this a reliable place for lunch. The "Kumamoto chestnuts with skins and azuki beans curry" is typical of a sweets shop, and the gentle sweetness of the azuki beans and chestnuts is a perfect match with the moderate spiciness of the curry. The sweet and salty taste created by the unexpected toppings will whet your appetite.

Enjoy the rich sweetness of matcha after your meal

After enjoying your meal, don't forget to try the main attraction, sweets. They use carefully selected ingredients such as Dainagon adzuki beans from Tokachi, Hokkaido, Shiratama flour from Ogawa, Kumamoto Prefecture, and Kinako from Kumamoto. They also have a wide selection of matcha desserts, such as "Two Types of Ice Cream and Shiratama Anmitsu," which is served with matcha syrup made from the rich matcha "Yame no Shiro," the favorite of the head of the Urasenke school.

There are a wide variety of seasonal menus and meal + dessert sets, with over 100 different items on the menu. It's hard to decide what to eat.

Amamiya

• https://amamiya.chu.jp
• Tabara Building 2F, 4-16 Kamitori-cho, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto PrefectureMAP
• About 3 minutes walk from the tram stop "Torimachi-suji"
• 11:30〜19:00（L.O.18:30）
• Tuesday, December 31st, January 1st
• 096-323-1136
• None

5Seasonal Cuisine House Hachigotei

A great value meal that lets you enjoy the flavors of Kumamoto

In a 100-year-old traditional house, you can enjoy the flavors and local cuisine of Kumamoto. The restaurant uses ingredients that Kumamoto is proud of, such as horse meat dishes and Kumamoto Akagyu beef, as well as vegetables, eggs, and rice that are all from Kumamoto.
The most popular lunch option is the "Reiwa Gozen." This high-value meal includes black beef grilled on the restaurant's signature ceramic plate, mustard lotus root, specially selected horse meat yukke, and even a dessert and drink. This casual lunch that allows you to enjoy Kumamoto specialties is popular with both tourists and locals.

The atmosphere of an old-fashioned house adds a touch of elegance to your lunchtime meal

You have to take off your shoes before entering the restaurant, which further highlights the charm of this traditional Japanese home. The first floor is equipped with table seating, while the second floor is equipped with a tatami room that can accommodate large groups. In addition, the first floor also has a terrace seating area with glass walls, allowing you to enjoy your meal in an open atmosphere.
The moment you step inside, you'll find yourself surrounded by a tranquil atmosphere, making it hard to believe that you're so close to the streetcar line known as Train Street. Enjoy a luxurious lunchtime feasting on the flavors of Kumamoto in a relaxing atmosphere that will make you lose track of time.

Seasonal Cuisine House Hachigotei

• https://hachigotei.com
• 5-41 Kamitorimachi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
• About 3 minutes walk from Suidocho tram stop
• 11:30-14:30 (last orders 13:30), 17:00-24:00 (last orders food 22:00, drinks 23:00)
• Open daily
• 096-324-8505
• None