About the Restaurant

Hello, fellow travelers!
This is Mikan, writer for Sarukuma.

Today I’m taking you to
Sakuragi, Higashi-ku, Kumamoto City, to visit
“Maekawa Suigun Sakuragi.”

A famous izakaya known for its iconic “torobako” (wooden seafood box)!
You may already know the name from sister branches like Hikarinomori and Ozu.

BUT here’s the secret: this is the ONLY branch open for lunch!!
Why not treat yourself to a luxurious seafood lunch without breaking the bank?

Inside, you’ll find table seats, counter seats, and…

Traditional Japanese tatami rooms too!

Kids’ chairs are available too — perfect for families with little ones!!

As soon as we sat down, they kindly brought out kids’ tableware too! ♪

My little one has just moved on to three meals a day,
so having children’s plates available was such a relief —
the kind of small kindness that really makes a difference.

Suigun Lunch Set Menu

Hormone Stew Set: 980 yen
Sashimi Set: 1,280 yen
Daily Special Set: 680 yen
Grilled Mackerel Set: 780 yen

For pure value for money, the Daily Special at 680 yen is unbeatable…

And on the day we visited, the special was “karaage (fried chicken) and aji-fry (fried horse mackerel)” —
Two main dishes! More than enough to satisfy.

Lunch Donburi Menu

Maekawa Suigun-don: 1,480 yen
Maekawa 5-Color Don (regular): 990 yen
Tekka-don / Tuna Bowl (regular): 890 yen
Negitoro-don / Minced Tuna Bowl (regular): 980 yen
Salmon Zuke-don / Marinated Salmon Bowl (regular): 890 yen

These seafood bowls are also available at dinner, BUT
order them at lunch and you get “ara-jiru (fish bone soup) included“
which is a HUGE bonus!!

And here’s a great tip: you can order from the dinner menu during lunch hours too!
So if something on the evening menu catches your eye, go ahead and try it ♪

Our Recommendation

This time, we ordered the Maekawa Suigun-don (1,480 yen).

Here it comes — drum roll please!

Behold — SEAFOOD HEAVEN!!!

An absolutely impressive amount of seafood.
It’s practically overflowing the bowl!

And right in the middle: that magnificent shrimp.

If a “jewelry box of the sea” exists, this must be it…
And let me say it right now —
the shrimp is incredibly sweet and beautifully plump!

You could honestly say this shrimp alone is worth ordering the Maekawa Suigun-don for.

The eternal question with kaisen-don (seafood rice bowls): how do you apply the soy sauce?
Me? I’m a pour-it-on-first kind of person (lol).

A swirl of wasabi soy sauce later, and there it is —
ikura (salmon roe) glistening like jewels!

POP! POP!
That irresistible burst of ikura — pure bliss~

Next up: scallops!

Both ikura and scallops are luxury items!
Even at conveyor belt sushi places, these can get pricey~

So you really get to enjoy that touch of luxury here ♪

And this one — hamachi? Or buri? Yellowtail of some kind! (lol)

Of course, classics like maguro (tuna) and salmon are all packed in there too~!
The joy of getting to enjoy them all in a single bowl!

This is exactly why kaisen-don is irresistible!!!

Almost an afterthought, but oh —
the ara-jiru (fish bone soup)!!!
This is seriously flavorful~

You might even come back for lunch just for this soup (lol).

And despite being made from fish trimmings,
there’s a generous amount of fish meat clinging to the bones!

It’s “ara,” after all — the bony bits.

Yes, the bones make it a bit tricky to eat,
but consider that part of the fun —
and savor every delicious sip!

Ara-jiru is especially warming on cold winter days ♪

With its tatami seating and family-friendly atmosphere,
“Maekawa Suigun Sakuragi” is a great choice
whether you visit for lunch or to enjoy the izakaya scene at night.
Definitely add it to your Kumamoto food itinerary!

Frequently Asked Questions

※Information is accurate as of the time of reporting. Prices and hours may change. Please confirm before visiting.