Introducing takeoutcafeten.

Hello everyone! This is Aikero, writer for SaruKuma.

Today I’m introducing a charming little spot located in Mifune Town, Kamimashiki District:
takeoutcafeten.Anyone who passes by will instantly think, “What a stylish and adorable shop!”
Makes you wonder what kind of place it is, right?

It’s actually a hot dog shop!
A bit unexpected, isn’t it?

When you say “hot dog” in Kumamoto, locals immediately think of the famous “Hot Dog Yotsuba”!
(There are actually plenty of other hot dog shops too — try searching “hot dog” on the SaruKuma blog to discover more!)

Hot Dog Yotsuba – Kumamoto’s super-famous hot dog shop set inside a vintage scrapped car! (Hirata, Mashiki Town, Kamimashiki District)

Well, takeoutcafeten. is here to break that classic hot dog stereotype!

Meet Ms. Ogata, the owner.
Just like the gentle vibe of the shop itself, she’s incredibly warm and welcoming.

“I just wanted to create a place where anyone can drop in casually.”
With neighborhood elementary and high school students in mind, she serves hot dogs and fried bread (agepan) at prices that even kids can afford.

“I’ve always loved bread. But there aren’t many bakeries in Mifune…”

The shop celebrates its first anniversary soon, and the agepan is a huge hit with elementary kids who stop by on their way to the local dagashi (penny candy) shop! High schoolers love grabbing a hot dog as an afternoon snack too.

The name takeoutcafeten. carries a beautiful meaning: “May many dots (ten in Japanese) connect to form one circle (en, also meaning ‘connection’)”.

While you’re ordering, take a moment to admire the kitchen interior!

“I want to be surrounded by things I love when I work” — Ms. Ogata’s philosophy of self-care comes through in everything she does, which explains all the glowing online reviews about her warm hospitality.Getting there from Kumamoto City: Follow the road in front of Costco Mifune Warehouse, then turn left at the intersection by the Lawson Mifune Sports Center Mae store (or right if coming from Mifune side). The shop will appear on your left.

Parking is available!
Drive past the shop and follow the arrow direction.
Look for the green-painted road as your landmark. (I made a wrong turn — I have a terrible sense of direction!)This sign marks the parking lot entrance!
It’s nice and bold, so you can’t miss it.

If you’re worried about getting lost, set your navigation to “Ohta Dental Clinic” (visible in the back of the photo) — it’s right next to the parking area.

Park in the gravel area on the left side (boxed in the photo).
(The marked spaces on the right are not for the shop.)Here’s the menu!

〈Hot Dogs〉
・Plain — 550 yen
・Cheese — 650 yen
・Curry Meat — 650 yen
・Mixed — 680 yen
★ Curry spice level can be increased (from 30 yen)
★ Toppings available (50 yen)

〈Set Menu〉
・Drink Set — 100 yen off
・Potato Set — 100 yen off
・Full Set — 200 yen off
〈Drinks〉
★ All drinks are HALF PRICE on the 10th of every month!

・Hot Coffee — 400 yen
・Iced Coffee — 450 yen
・Kumamon Ice — 200 yen

・Japanese Black Tea (Hot or Iced) — 300 yen
・Green Tea (Hot or Iced) — 300 yen

・Grape Juice — 300 yen
・Apple Juice — 300 yen
・Cola — 300 yen
・Cider (Japanese soda) — 300 yen

〈Agepan (Fried Bread)〉
・Kinako (Roasted Soybean Powder) — 200 yen
・Sugar — 200 yen
・Cinnamon Sugar — 200 yen

The coffee and tea are carefully chosen from Ms. Ogata’s favorite shops:
Chomolungma Roaster (now based in Yamanashi) and Ocha-no-Noguchi, a Mifune Town tea shop.

If you fall in love with the flavor, why not visit those shops too?
The doughnuts were just added to the menu at the end of last year!

I was dying to try one, but they were completely sold out that day. To reduce food waste, only a small batch is made daily.
They often sell out by noon, but you can call ahead to reserve — I’ll definitely do that next time!

You’ll also find baked goods from Rotary Coffee here!

ROTARY COFFEE – A cozy neighborhood coffee shop with delicious sweets! (Motoyama, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto City)

There’s also a consignment corner showcasing handmade accessories.
Although it’s a takeout-only shop, there’s a lovely terrace seating area!
If you’d like to enjoy your meal there, just let them know when you order.

Recommended Menu Items at takeoutcafeten.

Curry Meat Hot Dog — Full Set

A photography tip: Once it’s wrapped in the takeout bag, the sauce can get a little messy.
Snap your photos here at the shop before heading off!
Since it was a chilly day, I went for a hot coffee.
The balance of acidity and bitterness was spot-on — absolutely delicious!
The aroma alone was heavenly.The curry meat is so generous it’s almost overflowing!

The toasted bun is perfectly crispy and fragrant on the outside!
That extra touch makes such a big difference in flavor, doesn’t it?

The sausage has a satisfying snap and is wonderfully juicy.
It holds its own beautifully against the chunky curry meat!

You can’t see it, but there’s also fresh cabbage tucked at the bottom!

Honestly, every element — the bun, sausage, and curry meat — is delicious, and it’s seriously filling!
The set comes with plenty of fries, making it perfect for lunch.The agepan was a souvenir for my kids!

My daughter loves agepan so much she always complains, “They never serve agepan at school lunch anymore!”The koppepan (Japanese-style bread roll) is soaked with just the right amount of oil — sinfully delicious!
And at only 200 yen, it’s so easy to grab one (or two)!“Mom, please buy me agepan again tomorrow!” — my kids ask every single day, so I think a family trip is in order soon!

(My husband, who didn’t even get a single bite, also chimed in: “Where’s MY agepan?” Fair point!)
Born from the simple wish that “a place like this would be so nice to have,” Ms. Ogata has built a true neighborhood gathering spot.

From local kids to curious visitors from afar, people of all ages are coming together here.

And in February, takeoutcafeten. is celebrating its 1st anniversary!
※ Photo used with the shop’s permission.

To celebrate, there are special anniversary deals on hot dogs, doughnuts, and drinks!

2 days only — Saturday, February 1st & Tuesday, February 4th!
◆ All hot dogs: 100 yen off
◆ All doughnuts: 200 yen each
◆ All drinks: 50% off
And more…
On February 1st only, the first 10 customers receive a complimentary ten. original blend tea-bag coffee!
All visitors get an original sticker as a free gift!

For more details, check out the takeoutcafeten. Instagram page!
Make the trip out to Mifune Town — you won’t regret it!
And while you’re there, don’t miss the nearby Mifune Dinosaur Museum and Mifune Fureai Hiroba (Dinosaur Park)!
A takeout meal enjoyed at the park is a perfect combo we highly recommend.

Fureai Hiroba – Dinosaur-themed playground equipment and fitness gear too! (Mifune Town, Kamimashiki District)

Mifune Dinosaur Museum – Dig for fossils and travel back to the Cretaceous! (Mifune Town, Kamimashiki District)

Hot Dog Yotsuba – Kumamoto’s super-famous hot dog shop set inside a vintage scrapped car! (Hirata, Mashiki Town, Kamimashiki District)

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Frequently Asked Questions

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