Introducing Aso Marufuku

Hello, fellow travelers!
I’m a die-hard fried-food fan who can never resist stopping by a great karaage (Japanese fried chicken) shop —
the aromatherapy-loving girl writer for Sarukuma (*^-^*)

Today I’m taking you to
Ichinomiya-cho, Aso City, Kumamoto, to visit
“Aso Marufuku”.

Whenever I head out to Aso, this is a must-stop spot for me 💛
It’s about 1 km from Ikoi-no-Mura Station on the JR Hohi Main Line (Aso Kogen Line). Just drive along Route 57 toward Aso, and you’ll spot it on your left (*^-^*)

There are two entrances, so you can come in from whichever is most convenient ♪

Parking for 30 cars means driving up here is stress-free — perfect for road-trippers ♪

The right side is the dine-in restaurant, and the left side is the butcher shop — both under one roof (*^-^*)
Takeout orders are placed at the butcher shop (left side) ♬

Hurry inside! The moment you step out of the car, the irresistible aroma practically pulls you toward the door ♪

What to Order at Aso Marufuku

Step inside, and… mmm! (⋈◍＞◡＜◍)。✧♡
The juicy, savory aroma greets you immediately ♪

Every karaage is fried fresh to order, so you get it piping hot and bursting with juice — exactly the way it should be!

Ordering is easy — just say “I’d like 〇〇 pieces, please” or “〇〇 yen worth, please.”
Karaage 100g / 3 pieces — ¥165 (excluding tax)

This time I went for the fan-favorite Salt Karaage as takeout — “15 pieces, please!” (*^-^*)
While they’re frying, let me show you around the shop!

Right at the entrance, fresh local fruit and veggies are beautifully arranged (*^-^*)

There’s also a fantastic lineup of mouth-watering sauces and dressings ♪
My kids asked for some, so I picked up mandarin oranges and cabbage too ♪

While I was browsing the shop, I heard “It’s ready!” ( *´艸｀)

Just look at this gorgeous karaage 💛

Whoa! ( *´艸｀)
Amazing aroma ♪ Piping hot ♪ I can’t wait to dig in 💛

Itadakimasu! ( *´艸｀)

Soooo good! The crust is incredibly crispy!!

Inside, it’s hot, juicy, and tender, with a perfectly balanced salt seasoning. Absolutely delicious.

I bought 15 pieces and our family devoured them in seconds (lol). “I want more!” came the kids’ chorus…
So of course, I went back for more ♪

This time, I grabbed some pre-marinated raw karaage to fry up at home.
The seasoning is already done — total game-changer (⋈◍＞◡＜◍)。✧♡

You can buy by the kilo ♪

Marinated raw chicken: 1 kg / ¥1,300, 2 kg / ¥2,600… all the way up to 9 kg!!
Tori-ten (chicken tempura): 500g / ¥825, 1 kg / ¥1,650… also up to 9 kg!!
Tonkatsu — raw: ¥174, fried: ¥185
Croquettes / Ham Cutlets: ¥85
Hormone (offal): 800g / ¥1,183

The raw take-home option is just as popular as the fried one.

I went with 1 kg of marinated raw chicken and 2 tonkatsu cutlets (*^-^*)

Perfect for kids’ lunchboxes, quick snacks, or busy parents on the go ( *´艸｀)

The shop staff suggested portioning it out and freezing it, so you can fry up just what you need, when you need it, and recreate that fresh, made-to-order taste right at home — pure genius!

Here’s how it looks fried up at home ( *´艸｀)

Of course, eating it fresh at the shop is the best,
but whenever the craving hits, you can whip up delicious karaage in minutes — what a treat ♪

Now, let’s peek inside the dine-in restaurant! Next time, I’m definitely coming back for a leisurely lunch ♪

A maneki-neko (lucky cat) welcomes you at the door ( *´艸｀)

Clear partitions are set up throughout the dining area, so hygiene measures are taken seriously ♪

The traditional tatami zashiki seating area is roomy and welcoming.

For guests who aren’t comfortable sitting seiza-style on the floor, or for older visitors, there are also chairs in the tatami area, so everyone can relax in comfort ♪ A really thoughtful touch.

Baby chairs and kids’ chairs are also available — super family-friendly for parents traveling with little ones ♪

The seating layout can be rearranged depending on the size of your group.

If you’re heading to Aso, definitely make this a stop on your journey ☺
Takeout starts at 9 a.m., and there’s a steady stream of customers coming in one after another.

This is a flavor truly loved by the locals! ♡

Frequently Asked Questions

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