Welcome to LES CLOS

Hello travelers! I’m Gussan, a writer for Sarukuma.
Today I’m thrilled to introduce you to a true gem in the heart of Chuo-gai, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto City:
LES CLOS.
The name is pronounced “Les-Clos” — with a slight pause between the two syllables, in true French style.

To celebrate Sarukuma reaching 10,000 followers, editor-in-chief Gussan and deputy editor Binako decided to clink glasses over an unforgettable meal — and LES CLOS was our unanimous pick.
My husband had been raving for ages: “The food at LES CLOS is incredible!”
So we’d been dying to try it for ourselves!

Conveniently located downtown, this is the perfect spot for a girls’ night out, an anniversary dinner, or any special celebration.

LES CLOS is a sophisticated bistro near Kumamoto City Hall that also houses
a cocktail bar called “MISTAR.”
What sets it apart? It’s one of the few restaurants in Kumamoto that cooks with a traditional wood-fired oven.
Open from 3:00 PM, you can drop in for a bar experience or simply enjoy it as an afternoon café.
The wood-fired oven sits in the kitchen at the back of the restaurant.The chic, beautifully crafted bar counter showcases an impressive collection of bottles, immaculately arranged.
LES CLOS is also known for its incredibly diverse drink menu.
Even if you don’t drink alcohol, you can absolutely enjoy the cuisine and the warm atmosphere here.
The bar counter is filled with so many thoughtful details, I couldn’t stop snapping photos from every angle. (laughs)
Hot drinks served in classic Fire-King mugs feel like an extra-special indulgence.
Coffee is brewed right in front of you.
There’s even an extensive coffee menu including coffee cocktails — more on that soon!
The simple, stylish table seating is so well-decorated, I found myself admiring every corner.

They even provide cozy blankets — such a thoughtful touch!

Recommended Menu at LES CLOS

Now, let me walk you through the menu!
“Wait — I have no idea what any of this is!”
That was honestly my first reaction.
The sophisticated Italian dishes are hard to picture just from the menu alone.
The gracious owner of LES CLOS kindly explained everything to us, but in the end, our appetites won out and we just said: “Surprise us with your recommendations!”
Here are the seasonal recommended cocktails.
I’m such a sucker for limited-time-only items! (laughs)
Wines,
bottled beers,
beer cocktails,

“Infusions” — vodka or shochu infused with fruit and herb flavors,herb-based liqueurs,
coffee and coffee cocktails,
non-alcoholic mocktails and soft drinks — the drink menu truly has it all!
Personally, I’m intrigued by the playfully named “Calpis I Once Dreamed Of.”
Don’t forget to check out the chalkboard menu, too!
If the Italian dish names leave you scratching your head, just ask the friendly LES CLOS staff — they’re happy to walk you through it.
While waiting for our food, we ordered drinks at the MISTAR bar.
Here, the bartender is preparing a “Myoga (Japanese Ginger) Roku Gin & Tonic.”
It all begins with carefully crushing fresh myoga.
Wait — isn’t that pestle enormous?! (laughs)
And here’s a “Lemon Tofu Milk Cocktail” in the making.
You can enjoy unique alcohol-free drinks like this — a hallmark of any great craft cocktail bar.
The number of steps to make a single drink was simply astonishing!
Watching the cocktails come together while you chat and savor the food…
I highly recommend taking the time to watch the bartender at work.
It makes every sip taste even more special.
The classic bartender’s shake — that signature move is just so cool!
Watching your drinks being crafted right in front of you is a wonderful, slow moment — especially for moms who are always rushing through dinner, baths, and cleanup.
And finally — here they are!
“Cheers!”
The Myoga Roku Gin & Tonic had a lovely natural color from the myoga, with a crisp, refreshing taste.
The Lemon Tofu Milk Cocktail beautifully blended lemon, tofu, and milk into something wonderfully creamy and smooth.
Drinks this thoughtfully crafted are something you can only experience at a true cocktail bar like this.
Our first dish:
Shirasu (Whitebait) Bruschetta — ¥600
Generously topped with whitebait and served on bread baked with seaweed — what a perfect pairing!
One bite, and you’ll feel like you’ve taken a quick trip to the Mediterranean.
Second dish: Lampredotto (Tripe Stewed in White Wine) — ¥950
The aroma alone was incredible.
Just look at Binako’s face when she took her first bite —
Pure bliss! (laughs)

The tripe is wonderfully tender with no gamey aftertaste — it practically melts in your mouth.
In Italy, lampredotto is famously served as street food, sandwiched in focaccia, and it comes with focaccia here, too.
We gave it a try ourselves — and it’s stylishly delicious.
It really feels like dining like a local in Italy!
Third dish: Peposo (Stewed Pork Cartilage) — ¥1,250
A traditional dish from Florence — and the flavor was nothing like I’d imagined.
It’s a dish you really have to try to understand: tender to the core yet wonderfully satisfying to chew, and the more you bite, the more its rich, grown-up flavor unfolds.
It’s been a while since I’ve felt so frustrated at not being able to fully describe a flavor in words!
“Peposo also pairs wonderfully with focaccia,” the LES CLOS chef told us — so naturally, we had to try it!
Setting aside our (admittedly silly) faces — the flavor transformed completely.
One dish, two completely different experiences.
Slow-cooked patiently in the wood-fired oven, the peposo was truly something special.

At the Sarukuma event on April 25,
you can enjoy LES CLOS’s food and drinks firsthand!

April 25, 2021 — Toko Toko Sarukuma Market Coming Soon!

For those who don’t often get to visit downtown Kumamoto, this is a wonderful chance to taste LES CLOS’s cuisine.
Takeout will also be available on the day, so you can take it home and enjoy a relaxed meal there, too!

Their website is beautifully designed — definitely worth a look!
https://les-clos.jp/

Frequently Asked Questions

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