Welcome to Kahoku Hanten

Hello, travelers!
This is Igaguri, your Sarukuma writer 🌰

Today I’m taking you to Kahoku Hanten, a charming Chinese restaurant tucked inside Yamaga City, Kumamoto Prefecture.

You’ll be greeted by anime favorites — Zenitsu Agatsuma from Demon Slayer and Gojo Sensei from Jujutsu Kaisen — right at the entrance (((o(*ﾟ▽ﾟ*)o)))

Maybe it’s because there’s a manga corner right next door?

Across the way, you’ll also find Shinkham (Lao & Thai cuisine) and Cafe & Bar Ohara. All of these spots are on the first floor of Onsen Plaza Yamaga.

Parking is conveniently located on the rooftop. Onsen Plaza Yamaga is also right next to the famous Sakura-yu public bathhouse — a beautiful historic landmark.

Here’s the entrance to Onsen Plaza Yamaga. Just hop in the elevator and head down to the first floor!

Onsen Plaza Yamaga is a multi-purpose facility with plenty to explore!

The restaurants don’t have their own restrooms, but there are clean shared facilities inside Onsen Plaza Yamaga — including a baby changing station that’s well maintained. Great news for families!

Now let’s step inside Kahoku Hanten!

To the right of the entrance, you’ll find regular table seating.

To the left, there are three traditional tatami (zashiki) seating areas — perfect for a relaxed meal Japanese-style.

Recommended Menu at Kahoku Hanten

The set menus are a lifesaver when you can’t decide — but honestly, even with sets, the choices are tough!

Since I’d just come from a hot spring soak, I was craving comfort food.

I want sweet-and-sour pork AND mapo tofu!
But the kids need karaage (fried chicken) too!

So here’s what we ordered:

Set A (Sweet-and-Sour Pork + Karaage) — 1,080 yen, and…

Mapo Tofu Set Meal (with spring rolls and karaage) — 900 yen, and…

a rice ball (onigiri) for 120 yen 🍙
(Also got a side of tsukemono pickles — my child kept asking what they were!)
Side note: A large rice serving is +100 yen, and a salt onigiri is also 120 yen — tough call!

The kids absolutely devoured the karaage!
Luckily there were four pieces, so I managed to snag one for myself. (Crisis averted — saved from the classic “mom gets nothing” scenario!)

Overall, the flavors were gentle and well-balanced. Even the mapo tofu was mild enough for kids to enjoy! Perfect for families with little ones.

They also offer ramen, taipien (a Kumamoto specialty noodle soup), and champon set meals!

I almost ordered the Sanratanmen (hot & sour noodle soup) — definitely on my list for next time!

Their playful take on traditional Jajangmen — called “Jajauma-men” here — also comes highly recommended!

They even provided two children’s bowls for our family — such a thoughtful touch!

Look closely — even the tatami borders feature Kumamon, Kumamoto’s beloved bear mascot!
I love how welcoming this restaurant is for families with kids!
You can even choose 16-grain mixed rice for a healthier option!

Looking at the takeout menu, I noticed there’s even a weekday daily lunch special for just 650 yen! No wonder this place is so popular!

This time, I started my morning with a soak at Miyazono Onsen right when it opened, then headed to Kahoku Hanten for a Chinese lunch.

To put it mildly — it was the perfect Yamaga itinerary! ✧♡

If you’re visiting Yamaga, I highly recommend pairing a private onsen bath with lunch at Kahoku Hanten. It’s the ultimate relaxation combo!

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Frequently Asked Questions

※Information is current as of the visit. Prices and hours may change. Please confirm before visiting.