Hello, fellow travelers! 😄

This is Yuzu, writer for Sarukuma 😃

Today I’m taking you to a brand-new spot in the heart of Kumamoto’s Shimotori shopping arcade —
《Gindako Sakaba》 ⭐︎

If you’ve been curious about this place, you’re not alone!

It just opened on November 6, and I rushed right over 🤩

Confession: I’m a huge Gindako fan ❤️

You’ll find it on Shimotori, in the spot that used to house Koguma 😊

Right out front, since this is first and foremost a takoyaki shop, you’ll see the

takeout takoyaki menu 😄

Mochi Cheese Mentaiko (8 pieces) — ¥700

Classic Takoyaki (8 pieces) — ¥580

Family Pack (16 pieces) — ¥1,150

Family Pack (24 pieces) — ¥1,680

More than enough for the whole family to share 😁

And here’s the kicker — for just +¥100, you can swap any of the 8 standard sauce takoyaki for a different flavor 🤩 (Mochi Cheese is +¥120)

I figured it would be takoyaki only, but —
they have set meals (teishoku) too!!!

And as someone who loves a good drink, this is what really got me excited:
Discounted drinks during Happy Hour!! 🍻

The entrance on the opposite side from Shimotori has the full takoyaki + izakaya + drinks menu 😁

Now let’s head inside — GO! GO!!!!!!

Step through the door and you’re treated to a live show — the takoyaki being grilled right in front of you 😄

Don’t you just get hypnotized watching them flip those balls? That smooth wrist motion is pure artistry 😆

Trust me, it’s impossible to replicate at home 😅

👍

There’s also tatami seating in the back, which makes it comfortable for families with kids 😆

Now, the moment you’ve been waiting for — the menu! 😃

Dine-in takoyaki orders come in 4-piece portions 🐙

That means you can sample lots of different flavors 🤩

Classic Takoyaki — ¥310

Garlic Butter Mentaiko Takoyaki — ¥480
(Garlic-and-parsley escargot sauce melts into the cheese and cod-roe sauce — rich and aromatic)

Walnut & Blue Cheese Takoyaki with Honey — ¥480
(Mature, full-bodied blue cheese topped with walnuts and a drizzle of honey)

Teriyaki-Egg Takoyaki — ¥370

Cheese Mentaiko Takoyaki — ¥370

Green Onion Takoyaki — ¥370

Some unusual flavors you won’t find everywhere 😁

Right next to that is the izakaya menu 🍺

Edamame — ¥300

Motsu Nikomi (simmered offal) — ¥420

Sauce Yakisoba — ¥580

Gyoza — ¥440

And a whole lot more delicious-looking choices 😋

But… I made a rookie mistake.

The izakaya menu doesn’t start until 3:00 PM 💦

But don’t worry 👍

At lunchtime, there are some great-value lunch sets!!

Chicken Nanban Set — ¥850

Yakisoba Set — ¥850

Karaage (Fried Chicken) Set — ¥850

Pork Hire-Katsu Set with Sauce — ¥680

Curry Rice — ¥480

Hire-Katsu Curry — ¥780

Karaage and yakisoba can be ordered à la carte too 👍

Go To Eat coupons accepted 👍
Regional Common Coupons accepted 👍

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To start, I went with —

Classic Takoyaki and a beer 🍺

Four pieces of takoyaki — exactly the right amount!

Gindako’s takoyaki is famously crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside — pure perfection!! And it goes so well with beer!!

Enjoying them straight off the grill, fresh and steaming — pure happiness 😂

Bonus: there’s a shaker of ichimi (Japanese chili pepper) on every table. As a serious spicy-food lover, this made my day 🥰💕

Next up —

Pork Hire-Katsu Set with Sauce 😋

Because takoyaki alone wasn’t quite enough 😂

The hire-katsu (pork tenderloin cutlet) is freshly fried, and you get three generous pieces 🤩 The savory sauce soaks beautifully into the cutlet, and there’s a hearty bed of rice underneath that’ll keep you coming back for more 😁

I never expected to find proper hire-katsu at a Gindako, so this was a delightful surprise 😋

Since the izakaya menu kicks in after 3:00 PM, I’m definitely planning a return visit in the evening 😆

Order all the takoyaki flavors and find your favorite — or pair takoyaki with a teishoku set for a satisfying meal. There’s a way to enjoy this place no matter your style 😃

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Frequently Asked Questions

※Information accurate at time of reporting. Prices and hours are subject to change. Please confirm before visiting.