About Goshado Honten

“♪Itsumade mo~ itsumade~ demo Center Plaza~♪”
How many years has it been since Center Plaza disappeared from Kumamoto?
That catchy jingle still echoes in the ears of every long-time Kumamoto local — and along with the song, many remember the legendary Goshado shop that once stood inside Center Plaza.

If you’re nodding nostalgically right now, you’re not alone.
Founded in 1946 (Showa 21), the long-loved bento shop Goshado Honten reopened with a fresh new look in September 2024!

Just a 3-minute walk from Kumamoto Station, you’ll find Goshado Honten.
The shop has no parking lot of its own, but there are paid coin parking lots right in front and next door.

Nearby, you’ll also find licht coffee & cakes, another local spot we previously featured on Sarukuma.

licht coffee & cakes (Nishi-ku Kasuga, Kumamoto City) — Step Off the Main Street and Discover a Soothing Hideaway with Light Roast Coffee and Cakes

The stylish, modern exterior makes it hard to believe this shop has nearly 80 years of history.

Goshado Honten is the perfect spot to drop by for an authentic Japanese bento.
Students get a 100-yen discount with a valid student ID — a thoughtful touch you have to love.
Step inside and you’ll find a tempting lineup of takeout side dishes and bento boxes.
The packaging that immediately caught my eye? The katsu sandwiches.

“Hire-Men” combines a tender pork fillet cutlet (hire-katsu) with a minced meat cutlet (menchi-katsu). “Men-Men” is double menchi-katsu, and “Hire-Hire” is double hire-katsu.
Look closely and you’ll see they’re even color-coded — clever and convenient!

And because they’re kept in a hot case, you can enjoy them warm. A delicious bonus!

Every bento at Goshado Honten looks mouthwateringly good — choosing was nearly impossible!

Hire-Katsu Bento (pork fillet cutlet): 980 yen
Menchi-Katsu Bento (minced meat cutlet): 980 yen

Katsu Curry: 980 yen
Hamburger Steak Curry: 1,080 yen Kyushu Kuroge Wagyu Hamburger Steak Bento: 1,080 yen
Ginger Pork Bento: 880 yen

Every bento comes with karaage (Japanese fried chicken) too! It’s hearty enough to satisfy hungry students.
Inside the glass display case, you’ll also find potato salad (380 yen), shrimp chili (780 yen), shrimp mayo (780 yen), and fruit sandwiches (480 yen).

※ Bento orders cannot be reserved by phone.
Everything is handcrafted with care, so part of the fun is visiting Goshado Honten in person and discovering what’s available that day.

Goshado Honten’s Recommended Menu

After much deliberation, my friend and I picked these.

Look at those katsu cutlets — neatly lined up like little soldiers!

Every ingredient feels luxurious and authentic.
The katsu is satisfyingly thick, and the shrimp mayo features big, plump shrimp.
The shrimp chili has a real kick — the kind of flavor that makes you go back for more rice!
The curry is loaded with chunky pieces of meat.

Fruity yet pleasantly spicy, this signature curry has been made the same way for over 50 years — a true symbol of Goshado Honten.

Many returning customers say one bite brings back floods of childhood memories.
Everything is delicious — the conversation flowed, but our chopsticks never stopped either!
The naporitan (Japanese-style ketchup spaghetti) has a lovely tomato sweetness that kids absolutely love.
The omurice (omelet rice) is topped with a rich demi-glace sauce packed with meat ♡
Domestic chicken rice, a special demi-glace sauce, and fluffy egg create such a high-quality harmony that I felt guilty for ever underestimating a humble bento.
And of course, we couldn’t resist the fruit sandwich at the end.
We knew we were probably overdoing it, but once we saw all that juicy fruit overflowing from the bread, there was no way we could pass it up!
We were lucky enough to enjoy our bentos on the second floor, and the full restaurant officially opened on October 15!
If you’d prefer to dine in and enjoy your meal in a stylish, modern setting, the restaurant is well worth a visit.

There’s also terrace seating, which is perfect for relaxed family meals during the cooler seasons ahead.

Bringing grandparents along for a three-generation meal could turn lunch into a beautiful afternoon of shared memories ♪
We highly recommend stopping by!

licht coffee & cakes (Nishi-ku Kasuga, Kumamoto City) — Step Off the Main Street and Discover a Soothing Hideaway with Light Roast Coffee and Cakes

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Frequently Asked Questions

※ Information was accurate at the time of reporting. Prices and business hours are subject to change. Please check before visiting.