Introducing Akaushi Dining Yoka-Yoka

Hello, travelers!
I’m Binako, a writer for Sarukuma, currently fielding endless “I want ice cream!” demands from my little one.

Today I’m excited to introduce you to a hidden gem located in Hanabatacho, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto City:
“Akaushi Dining Yoka-Yoka” — a must-visit for anyone wanting to experience Kumamoto’s famous red beef.

Wait — that’s a hotel, right?

Yes — Yoka-Yoka is located on the second floor of this hotel.
The hotel is equipped with an elevator,
so visitors with strollers can access the restaurant easily and comfortably ♪

There is no on-site parking, so please use one of the nearby coin parking lots.

When you reach the second floor, you’ll be greeted by an automatic door marked in striking red lettering.
This is the entrance to the restaurant.

At Akaushi Dining Yoka-Yoka, you can enjoy:
Breakfast from 6:30 AM (Western or Japanese style)
Lunch from 11:00 AM
Dinner from 5:00 PM
This means you can enjoy delicious akaushi (Kumamoto red beef) cuisine all day long, no matter when you visit.

It’s wonderful that you can drop in based on your mood or schedule throughout the day ♪

Step inside, and the first thing that catches your eye is this enormous slab of beef!

The restaurant uses fresh akaushi beef directly in its dishes —
an impressive advantage that comes from being run by a company that specializes in akaushi!

They also have a special wine server
that keeps wine fresh and flavorful for up to a full week after opening.
A delightful detail for any wine lover!

The dining area features bright, sunlit table seating

…as well as private rooms perfect for relaxing family meals.
These private rooms have movable partitions, so they can also accommodate larger groups ♪

Counter seats sit right in front of a teppan grill,
so you can watch the chefs cook your beef live — a true culinary performance.

There’s even a projector mounted on the ceiling.

It’s perfect for wedding after-parties, sports viewing events, and more —
the versatile space adapts beautifully to whatever occasion you have in mind ♪

Baby chairs are available for families with young children.
And of course, you’re welcome to bring your stroller right inside ♪

Recommended Menu Items at Akaushi Dining Yoka-Yoka

Here’s the lunch menu.

Everywhere your eyes land, you see the word “akaushi” (Kumamoto red beef)…
This is what they mean by visual indulgence!

The menu is wonderfully diverse, letting you sample akaushi beef in all sorts of preparations.
They’ll also provide kids’ plates, making it easy to share with your children.

Behold — the [Akaushi Lava Plate Lunch (2,980 yen)].
You can also upgrade to a rock salt plate for an additional 300 yen.

The magical 2-minute ritual.

Use the hourglass to heat the rock salt plate for 2 minutes.

Then place the akaushi beef on top and let it sizzle for another 2 minutes.
Flip it over, cook for 2 more minutes, and enjoy it cooked exactly to your liking.

That sizzling sound… the akaushi fat dancing and glistening on the hot rock salt — pure magic.

Because the beef is cooked on rock salt, it’s perfectly seasoned all the way through —
your mouth is flooded with pure umami.

One bite and you can’t help but break into a smile.
The satisfying chew and the way the fat melts away are absolutely sublime.

You can also play with different flavor variations.
Personally, I recommend a touch of wasabi — it gives the beef a refreshing, clean finish.

Next up: the [Higo Gozen (3,500 yen)].
You can add fresh Amakusa kuruma prawn tempura for an extra 1,000 yen.

“What’s inside the box?”
Many of you probably love that exciting moment of unveiling a hidden meal — and Higo Gozen delivers exactly that anticipation.

As its name suggests (“Higo” is the historical name for Kumamoto), this set lets you experience traditional Kumamoto cuisine in one elegant tray.

Fresh basashi (horse sashimi), hitomoji-guruguru (a Kumamoto specialty of rolled green onions), karashi-renkon (mustard-stuffed lotus root),
tempura made with aosa seaweed from the Ariake Sea, and finished with salt from Okinawa…

Every ingredient is carefully selected, leaving both your heart and stomach completely satisfied.

The akaushi beef bowl is generously piled high with beef — pure decadence.

Wrapping the rich beef around a mouthful of rice is heavenly.
It’s so good you’ll wish you could be wrapped up in rice and beef yourself.

Top it with the included hot spring egg (onsen tamago) and pure joy begins.

The silky yolk wraps everything in creamy richness — it practically becomes a beverage.
You’ll find yourself opening wide and shoveling it in, guaranteed.

And here’s the [Akaushi Bomb Pasta (1,500 yen)].

Look at this absolute powerhouse of a dish.
The beef shank is slow-simmered for five hours and is bigger than your fist.

So tender it falls apart with the lightest touch.

Long, careful simmering means every bite releases the deep umami of the meat fibers,
melting and unraveling beautifully on your tongue.

It breaks apart easily, blending beautifully with the pasta — kid-friendly too.

You’ll also find sections rich in collagen with a wonderfully springy texture,
giving you contrasting bites of pure indulgence.

Whether for a special occasion or just a regular day,
this is a luxurious lunch where you can indulge in Kumamoto’s famous akaushi beef to your heart’s content!

It’s super easy to visit with kids, so put it on your Kumamoto travel list ♪

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Frequently Asked Questions

*Information is current as of the time of coverage. Prices and hours are subject to change. Please confirm before visiting.