About The.Chuka Meshi

Hello, travelers!
This is Gussan, a writer for Sarukuma.
Today I’m introducing you to
The.Chuka Meshi, a hidden gem located in Minami-Tsuboi, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto City.
【The.Chuka Meshi】

I invited a friend out for a long-overdue downtown lunch ♪
It got me wondering — for those of you familiar with Kumamoto, just how far out do locals still call it “downtown”? (laughs)

The.Chuka Meshi has been on my must-visit list for ages.
It’s tucked away one street back from Namiki-zaka,
on the second floor above the jazz cafe Okura.

The brick-style building has such a cool, stylish vibe.
From the outside it looks compact, but the interior is surprisingly spacious.
There’s a menu posted right outside the entrance.

Sichuan Mapo Tofu Set and Mapo Tofu Set are 900 yen each.
(Includes a small side dish, rice, soup, and pickles — with free rice refills!)
Tantanmen, Soupless Tantanmen, and Suanlatang Noodles are 800 yen each.
Yurinchi (Fried Chicken with Vinegar Sauce) Set and Ebi Chili (Chili Shrimp) Set are 900 yen each.
(Includes a small side dish, rice, soup, and pickles — with free rice refills!)
Individual main dishes are 700 yen, and Yodare-dori (Mouthwatering Chicken) is also 700 yen.

From 10:00 to 17:00, takeout is available in addition to dine-in lunch.
Once you head up to the second floor, you’ll find lovely modern table seating.
The atmosphere is so nice it would even make a great date spot.
Next to the table seating, there’s a counter with about 7 seats,
and even more table seating tucked behind the counter.
From the outside I really didn’t expect it to be this roomy — having more than just one table area is a wonderful surprise.

Recommended Menu Items at The.Chuka Meshi

This time I ordered the Ebi Chili (Chili Shrimp) Set for 900 yen.
It comes with a small side dish, rice, soup, and pickles, plus free rice refills — I was thinking I’d definitely go for seconds, but nope! (laughs)
I was completely full without needing a refill.
The rich chili shrimp sauce is the perfect partner for a bowl of white rice.
The generous helping of white leek adds just the right accent.
And there were plenty of plump shrimp packed in too!
The soup of the day was egg and shimeji mushroom soup, and the side dish was harusame (glass noodles).
Both were delicious.
This is the Yurinchi Set (900 yen) that my friend ordered.
The yurinchi was apparently so good with rice that my friend went back for a second helping of white rice.

Later, I looked online and discovered the restaurant is famous for its mapo tofu… and now that I think back, lots of other diners were ordering it! Next time I’ll definitely have to try the mapo tofu.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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