Introducing Uchi Gohan Seki

Hello there!
This is Chako, a writer for Sarukuma.

Today we’re heading to Nankan Town in Tamana District, Kumamoto Prefecture, to visit a delightful little spot called
“Uchi Gohan Seki.”

Run by a mother-and-daughter duo, this cozy restaurant serves up comforting home-cooked meals, with the daughter taking charge of the irresistible homemade sweets.

Children’s chairs and small plates for sharing are readily available.
And here’s the best part — kids receive a complimentary cookie as a special gift! 🎁

Children get to pick one cookie from this dreamy cookie tree!
It all started as a creative way to display cookies that had broken during baking.

The tree is redecorated with each new season, delighting little visitors all year round.
My own child happily received one — thank you so much!

The counter is lined with row after row of adorable handmade cookies.
The photo shows just a small selection — you’ll really need to drop by and see them all in person!

Here’s a glimpse of the cozy interior.

Recommended Menu at Uchi Gohan Seki

This time, I went with Set A (meat main) — fried chicken topped with a slightly spicy mayo sauce.

At Uchi Gohan Seki, the daily set menus rotate every day, all priced at an unbelievable
just 850 yen (yes, really!).
On the day of my visit, the choices were:

“Set A (meat main)”
Fried chicken with spicy mayo sauce
“Set B (fish main)”
Pan-fried horse mackerel (aji meunière) with tomato sauce
“Set C (pasta, rice, etc.)”
Curry doria (baked rice gratin with curry)

And every single set comes with a generous spread of small side dishes!
※ Simmered taro, konjac, and chicken
※ Fried eggplant and tuna with sesame ponzu
※ Stir-fried beef and vegetables in oyster sauce
※ Unohana (seasoned okara)
※ Lotus root with plum, bonito flakes, and mayo
※ Chilled tofu topped with okra and soy sauce
※ Simmered water taro and Nankan-age (local fried tofu)
※ Imitation crab and aosa seaweed tempura

Plus rice and miso soup featuring the famous local Nankan-age tofu — what a feast!
The owner’s heartfelt motto, “so guests can come back day after day without ever getting bored,” really shines through in every dish.

That spirit clearly resonates with the locals — regulars from the neighborhood walk over 2 to 3 times a week!
(They surely never have to worry about missing any nutrients 🤔)

Of course, dessert always has its own dedicated stomach, so I picked from the cake set menu.

I went for the Mont Blanc Tart.
The set also lets you pick your favorite drink — I chose tea this time.

Here’s the cake set menu and pricing.
The lineup changes with the seasons, which is part of the charm. Takeout is also available.

The little chestnut cookie on top was so adorable I almost couldn’t bring myself to eat it… but eventually I did, and it was absolutely delicious!

The Japanese chestnut marron paste, paired with homemade shibukawa-ni (chestnuts simmered in their inner skin) cream and a center of condensed milk cream, struck the perfect balance.

On top of all those savory dishes, every cake and cookie is also handmade one by one — pure dedication!

Even the shop’s name is delicately stamped on the cookie ❤︎ Discovering these tiny touches always makes my day.

Daily menus are posted on Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/utigohan_seki.oyatsuya/
Be sure to give them a follow!

Frequently Asked Questions

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