Introducing RAKUDA

Hello, travelers! This is “Gussan,” your Sarukuma writer.
Today I’m excited to introduce a delightful spot in Okubo, Kita Ward, Kumamoto City:
【CAFE & DINING BAR RAKUDA】 (“Rakuda” means “camel” in Japanese).
There’s parking right in front of the shop, plus
a second parking lot diagonally across the street, with space for 13 cars total.
If the front lot is full, there may still be open seats inside, so don’t hesitate to give them a call.
Look for the green exterior and the camel sign — you can’t miss it!
The outdoor table seats in front are a smoking area.
That laid-back camel face is honestly so soothing.
The chalkboard outside lists today’s lunch and pasta specials.
Hmm, everything looks delicious!
Inside, there are 7 counter seats,
1 table seat,
and 5 traditional Japanese-style raised tatami seats (“koagari”).
It’s hard to see in the photo, but there are partitions, which is super helpful when dining with little ones.
The Daily Lunch comes with a salad, small side dish, rice, and drink for 1,430 yen.
The Choose-Your-Pasta Lunch comes with a salad, small side dish, baguette, and drink for 1,210 yen.
You can upsize the pasta for an extra 150 yen.
RAKUDA also opens for dinner, with a wide à la carte menu.
Plenty of small plates to pair with drinks,
and a generous lineup of mains.
If I came at dinner, I’d inevitably end up ordering a pizza, a pasta, AND a rice dish — total over-order danger zone!
The drink menu is impressively varied too.
They’ll even mix off-menu cocktails on request!
And they don’t slack on dessert either — the sweets menu is just as exciting.
A little something sweet after a meal is non-negotiable in my book!Coffee lovers, listen up!
For just an extra 110 yen, you can upgrade your drink to COSTA COFFEE.
Even the items marked “+30 yen” are only 110 yen — what a deal!
I’m thrilled!

RAKUDA’s Recommended Menu

This time I ordered an à la carte dish:
Mushroom, Bacon & Soft-Boiled Egg Cacio e Pepe — 990 yen.
“Cacio e what?” I had no idea, so I ordered it out of curiosity and looked it up later.
In Italian, “cacio” means cheese and “pepe” means pepper — it’s a classic Italian pasta tossed with grated cheese and freshly cracked black pepper.
I can’t compare it to the original Italian version, but pasta, soft-boiled egg, mushrooms, cheese, and pepper are all favorites of mine — this combo, plus the lovely garlic aroma, made me one very satisfied customer.
And now — feast your eyes on this!
The real reason I came:
The Fresh Strawberry Parfait Plate — 1,540 yen.
A limited-time, reservation-required superstar of the menu.
Apparently, they use an entire pack of fresh strawberries to make this — and I believe it. It’s basically a strawberry mountain!
Even the ice cream is strawberry-flavored, and it’s piled high with fresh whipped cream. Pure bliss!OMG — pie, strawberries, ice cream, AND whipped cream all together?! I genuinely could not contain my excitement!
The Fresh Strawberry Parfait Plate is gorgeous to look at, but the strawberries themselves were so flavorful that it felt like seriously great value for money.
It’s a limited-time, reservation-required menu item.
It’s available throughout March, but availability after April depends on the strawberry harvest — so if you absolutely must try it, plan your visit in March.
Pair it with the 110-yen coffee — you won’t regret it!

Frequently Asked Questions

※Information is current as of the time of reporting. Prices and opening hours are subject to change. Please confirm before your visit.