Introducing RAKUDA

Hello travelers! It’s Asukarando, writing for SaruKuma.

Today I’m taking you to RAKUDA, a delightful café tucked away in the Okubo area of Kumamoto City’s Kita Ward.
【RAKUDA】

If you’ve heard of RAKUDA before, it’s probably for their famous Instagram-worthy strawberry parfaits that appear during strawberry season!
Our writer Gussan covered those beauties in a previous article (*^.^*)

RAKUDA in Okubo, Kumamoto: The Limited-Edition Fresh Strawberry Parfait Plate That’ll Blow Your Mind!

But word on the street is that the lunch here is just as amazing — so I had to come check it out for myself!
Today, I’m sharing all about the lunch menu (*^.^*)

Parking is available right in front of the RAKUDA storefront.

And if that fills up, there’s a second dedicated parking lot just across the street (^^)

Step inside RAKUDA and you’ll be greeted by a stylish, plant-filled interior built around a fresh green theme!
Seating includes both counter spots and table seating.

There’s even a traditional Japanese-style raised tatami area (koagari) — a huge plus for families with little ones! \(^_^)(^_^)/

The shelves are loaded with kid-friendly goodies — toys, drawing supplies, and origami paper galore (^^)
It’s a lifesaver for keeping little ones entertained during the wait! ♪

For lunch, the daily special menu — which changes every single day — is the way to go!

Daily Lunch Special: 1,430 yen

Choose-Your-Pasta Lunch: 1,265 yen

Add 165 yen for a large pasta portion

The set drinks come in a great variety, and you can get refills for just 165 yen — score! (^3^)/

Add a dessert of your choice for just +220 yen (*^.^*)

RAKUDA Salad: 990 yen

Bagna Càuda: 880 yen

Garlic Toast: 440 yen

Salmon Carpaccio: 990 yen

Lots of perfect share-friendly options if you’re dining with friends!

Buffalo Chicken Wings (2 pieces): 495 yen

French Fries: 440 yen

RAKUDA Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken): 660 yen

Fish & Chips: 880 yen

From meaty mains to crispy fried bites — there’s something every kid and grown-up will love (*^.^*)

And the ajillo selection? Massive!

Pizza & Pasta Menu

Margherita: 990 yen

Jalapeño Pizza: 1,100 yen

Quattro Formaggi: 1,100 yen

Peperoncino: 1,100 yen

Tomato Pasta: 1,210 yen

Carbonara: 1,210 yen

Meat Sauce Pasta: 1,100 yen

And yes — there’s a great alcohol menu too! (^3^)/

The non-alcoholic drink list is impressive too! ☆
A real win for designated drivers (^3^)/

And if you don’t drink alcohol, you can still soak up that café-bar vibe! ♪

And of course, you can’t forget dessert!

French Toast: 770 yen

Crème Brûlée: 495 yen

Gâteau au Chocolat: 495 yen

Chocolate Parfait: 990 yen

Matcha & Shiratama (Japanese Rice Dumpling) Parfait: 990 yen

Strawberry Parfait with Domestic Japanese Strawberries: 1,320 yen

Every dessert looks generously sized — yes please! (*^.^*)

RAKUDA’s Recommended Menu

I went with the Daily Pasta Lunch!

From today’s daily selection, I picked the
Prosciutto and Broccoli Tomato Pasta (^O^)

A side salad came with it too!

The pasta arrived alongside pickles and a beautifully plated carpaccio — all looking absolutely irresistible (^^)

First up — the pasta! (*^.^*)

A generous tomato sauce loaded with chunks of real tomato is poured on like there’s no tomorrow!

And get this!
I added the +168 yen large portion option, and the size that arrived had me and my kids beaming! ☆

While I was trying to snap photos, the chorus of “I want to eat NOW!” never stopped (^-^ゞ

Itadakimasu! (^O^)

You’ve got to twirl it up with all that tomato sauce! ☆
The firm-yet-chewy pasta, paired with the garlicky tomato sauce, is absolutely fantastic (*^.^*)

This was actually my first time eating cooked prosciutto!

The flavor brings out an even meatier richness, with a perfectly balanced saltiness!
My kids were literally fighting over it — that’s how good it was! ♪

We also tried the Margherita pizza!
A tomato-rich pizza sauce topped with perfectly placed mozzarella — pure perfection (^O^)

The pizza dough is soft and chewy — even sharing it with the family, everyone leaves satisfied!
It’s the kind of pizza you’ll devour in seconds (^^)

The daily lunch special is the chef’s whim of the day —
It changes every single day!

So you can show up wondering, “What’s on the menu today?” — that mystery is part of the fun!
You can also check RAKUDA’s Instagram for daily updates (*^.^*)
We definitely recommend taking a peek before you visit!

The parfaits at RAKUDA are amazing — but the daily lunch special was even MORE amazing!

Going for the large portion and sharing with the kids left us all completely satisfied in both flavor and quantity (*^.^*)
We headed home with full bellies and even fuller hearts!

With toys to keep kids entertained and the comfortable raised tatami seating area, RAKUDA is genuinely one of the most family-friendly spots I’d recommend! \(^_^)(^_^)/

RAKUDA in Okubo, Kumamoto: The Limited-Edition Fresh Strawberry Parfait Plate That’ll Blow Your Mind!

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Frequently Asked Questions

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