Introducing Okonomiyaki Nakaguma

Hello there! It’s Maru, your SaruKuma writer 🙂🙃

Today I’m introducing an okonomiyaki restaurant that scores top marks across the board — value, flavor, portion size, and atmosphere ＼(^o^)／
It’s Okonomiyaki Nakaguma, located in Urata-machi, Uto City, Kumamoto Prefecture.

The leaves have fallen since it’s winter, but normally the building is covered in lush green ivy — it looks just like Totoro’s house, with such a charming vibe! 🌿

The interior has a wonderfully retro Showa-era feel ♪ It’s the classic okonomiyaki restaurant style, with two-person tables lined up around built-in iron griddles.
The TV happened to be playing nostalgic Japanese pop songs like “High School Lullaby” — the time-travel vibe is unreal! (^O^)

There’s also a tatami room in the back, so it’s perfect for families with kids 👦👧

Recommended Menu Items at Okonomiyaki Nakaguma

The menu is HUGE!!!
You can really feel the owner’s passion and dedication coming through (ﾟ∀ﾟ)

The Recommended Greedy Set is 750 yen.
The Mixed Rice-yaki + Pork Belly is… an okonomiyaki with rice mixed right into the batter!!

Recommended original menu items! They’ve got Stamina-yaki and Western-style yaki too.

The booklet-style menu has tons more okonomiyaki options… beyond Kansai-style, there are creative twists like risotto-filled okonomiyaki and many other unique varieties.

There’s even a Kids’ Yaki perfect for little ones 👦👧

Modan-yaki, yakisoba, yaki-udon — all on the menu.

If you cook it yourself, orders over 700 yen come with a complimentary drink! Of course we cooked our own — that’s the fun part! 😆😆

The desserts are generously portioned and reasonably priced too! (^O^)

To start, we ordered the Original Large Mixed-Yaki for 750 yen (squid, shrimp, squid tentacles, octopus, ham, and pork).

Wait — what’s that fluffy white cloud?!
It’s whipped egg-white meringue! I’ve never seen this before — so exciting! 😲😲✨

Apparently it’s easier to cook in batches, so we made three smaller ones. Ahhh, this part is so fun! (^O^)

Ready, ready! They’re done!
Time to dig in while it’s piping hot ＼(^o^)／

The egg-white batter is incredibly fluffy and absolutely delicious! 😍 Loads of umami flavor and packed with ingredients 😍 I can’t get enough!!

Here’s the yakisoba for 650 yen. Look at that portion!!

And it’s done!
Crispy noodles, runny egg — perfection! (^O^) It was so ridiculously good that I made a mental promise to come back as soon as possible 😆

I wanted to bring some home for my daughter to try, so I saved a portion as a takeaway. Plastic containers cost extra, but aluminum foil wrapping is free.

The drink came complimentary with the okonomiyaki order. The coffee jelly was a separate order at 250 yen — and it was generously sized too.
Aaah, full belly, happy heart ✨ You have to try this place!

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Frequently Asked Questions

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