Welcome to Kobeya

Hello travelers, this is Aikero, a writer for Sarukuma!

Today I’m taking you to Kokage Nishimachi in Yatsushiro City, to a long-loved Japanese diner called
【Kobeya】.Sitting right along National Route 3, this classic teishoku (Japanese set-meal) restaurant has been serving locals for years.
If you’ve ever driven through this area, you may well have spotted it!

One quick tip: the entrance isn’t on the road side — you’ll find it from the parking lot side (^^)/

And if you’d like to make a sweet stop afterwards, the famous warabi mochi shop 【Kadofuji】 we’ve previously featured is just a 5-minute drive away. Perfect for combining into one outing!

【Warabi Mochi Specialty Shop Kadofuji – Hirayama Shinmachi, Yatsushiro City】Only available in Yatsushiro in all of Kumamoto! One sip of this silky warabi mochi and you’ll be hooked♪

Just look out for this signboard!
The parking lot is spacious — but even on a weekday, it was filling up fast!
There’s a very good reason for that, which I’ll get to in a moment♫
The interior has a relaxed, family-restaurant vibe.
There are 3 tatami-style seating areas, but they were so consistently full I couldn’t get a photo — sorry about that (>_<)
Children’s chairs are available, so toddlers who can sit up will be just fine at the regular tables.
The menu is enormous!
And then there are the prices — feast your eyes:

・Daily Lunch Special: 600 yen
　(excluding Sundays and public holidays)

・Oyakodon (chicken & egg rice bowl): 580 yen
・Katsudon (pork cutlet rice bowl): 630 yen

In an era when prices are climbing everywhere, these are seriously generous!
Honestly, this can be cheaper than buying a bento at the convenience store!

Workers in uniforms streamed in one after another, and there was even a small wait — on a weekday no less!
The variety of teishoku (set meals) is incredible!
And most of them are under 1,000 yen (●＾o＾●)
And there’s so much more!

Grilled fish options include hokke (Atka mackerel) and saba (mackerel)!
Steak with rice starts at just 1,160 yen,
and the full set with rice, salad, and soup or miso soup is only 1,380 yen — what a deal!
Traveling with little ones? You can choose from several Kid’s Meal options♫
Pick from “toy only,” “juice only,” or “toy & juice included” — a really thoughtful touch!

Honestly, the value here is almost unbelievable (>_<)

Kobeya’s Recommended Menu Items

Karaage (Japanese fried chicken) Set: 900 yen
After much deliberation, I went with this — figuring my son would happily share!

But when it arrived… I was floored.
(Honestly, a little intimidated!)

The karaage pieces are HUGE!!
This is the opposite of “photo fraud” — the real thing is even bigger! lol

With portions like this at this price, no wonder the place is packed!
(Inside, though, I was nervously wondering if I could actually finish it.)
And as a happy surprise, hidden under the karaage was a serving of Napolitan spaghetti!

The chicken is breast meat, so it’s light, but well-seasoned and goes perfectly with rice♫

That said, with 6 generous pieces, the volume is no joke!
If you’re worried you can’t eat it all, ordering a smaller portion of rice is a good idea (;^ω^)
Can you tell how big this karaage is?
For scale, I tried comparing it with my son’s little fist — and he immediately took a giant bite!
He’s holding up one finger, but in his mind that’s a peace sign.

My son ended up eating 2 and a half pieces of the karaage.
Way to go, son!

Meanwhile, mom’s stomach was about to burst…
Kid’s Curry: 300 yen
A simple, mildly sweet curry — gentle enough for young children.
For 1- to 2-year-olds, the portion may even be a bit much!

It doesn’t come with a toy, but at this price, no complaints here!
My son devoured it happily♫

And yes — after polishing off all that curry, he then ate 2 and a half big pieces of karaage too.
I was a bit worried about his little stomach, but at that moment, I was honestly grateful for his appetite! lol

This kind of generous, affordable lunch is perfect whether you’re on a working break or stopping in with the family during a Yatsushiro day trip♫
Huge menu, unbeatable value!
If your travels take you to Yatsushiro, definitely give Kobeya a try (●＾o＾●)

【Warabi Mochi Specialty Shop Kadofuji – Hirayama Shinmachi, Yatsushiro City】Only available in Yatsushiro in all of Kumamoto! One sip of this silky warabi mochi and you’ll be hooked♪

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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.