Hello, fellow travelers!
This is Cho-san, your [Sarukuma] writer!

Today, I’m excited to introduce you to
a wonderful restaurant in Suidocho, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto City,
located on the 1st floor of Hotel Mielparque Kumamoto:
“Restaurant Pearl”!
The parking lot is conveniently located across the street from Mielparque.
While it’s a paid parking lot, here’s the great news:
Restaurant guests receive a service voucher at checkout, making parking essentially free!

At the hotel entrance,
you’ll find clear notices about their hygiene and safety measures.
And right at the entrance of Restaurant Pearl,
you’ll see hand sanitizer and small plastic bags…
These bags are for storing your mask once you’re seated at your table.
That’s true hotel-quality service! Every detail is thoughtfully considered!

The interior is wonderfully spacious with high ceilings.
Large glass windows let in plenty of natural light, creating a bright and airy atmosphere.
I’ve visited a few times now,
and while groups used to share single tables face-to-face,
they’ve now thoughtfully arranged things so that face-to-face seating uses two tables placed side-by-side for added space.

The diverse clientele included office workers in uniforms taking lunch breaks,
groups of ladies catching up, and senior groups enjoying a meal out.
Right next to the entrance of Restaurant Pearl,
you’ll find a fully equipped nursing room,
so families with little ones can dine here with complete peace of mind ☆

Recommended Menu Items

The hugely popular Pearl Lunch is limited to just 15 servings per day, so arrive early to avoid disappointment!
(When I visited at 1pm on a weekday, it was already sold out.)
This time, I dined during lunchtime.

Here’s the Japanese Lunch Set for ¥1,350,
featuring small side dishes, fresh sashimi, chawanmushi (savory egg custard), rice, miso soup, and pickles.
The main dish changes daily, and on this visit it was miso-grilled pork.
The sides and rice on the tray would have been satisfying enough on their own,
but the generous main course made me feel truly indulged ♪
Dessert was a refreshing fruit jelly.
Despite being completely full, it was so light and refreshing that it disappeared in no time…
For an extra ¥150, I added coffee to my meal.
(Hot tea was also included with the meal.)
Next up: the Akaushi Beef Hamburger Lunch for ¥1,700,
starting with hors d’oeuvres (two items) and soup.
Since it’s a course meal, each dish is served one at a time.
It’s hard to capture in photos, but
the soup was a chilled fresh corn soup, and that white round thing on the right is…
vanilla ice cream! Yes, really!!
First spoonful: enjoy the soup as is. Second spoonful: mix in the vanilla ice cream for a delightful surprise.
And here’s the main event — the Akaushi beef hamburger!
Incredibly juicy and impressively thick — pure perfection ☆
The sausage on the side made a bold statement too — absolutely delicious!!!
The dessert was equally impressive…!
A dessert plate with refreshing yuzu (Japanese citrus) sherbet and
a rich, decadent chocolate cake.
(Not pictured, but coffee or tea is also included — I chose coffee!)
And finally, the Domestic Eel Hitsumabushi Set for ¥2,000.
With the traditional Doyo no Ushi no Hi (Day of the Ox — when Japanese eat eel for stamina) approaching, this was an obvious choice!
Domestic eel for only ¥2,000?! Are you sure?!
Hitsumabushi is enjoyed in three traditional ways: first bowl plain, second bowl with Japanese condiments, and third bowl with condiments and dashi broth poured over…
A truly authentic hitsumabushi experience!

Absolutely incredible!!!

With eel prices skyrocketing year after year,
eating eel at specialty restaurants — or even buying takeout —
has become a real splurge that requires courage these days…
So getting this generous portion at this price is genuinely amazing!
For future Doyo no Ushi no Hi summer celebrations, Pearl is now my go-to spot!
What a wonderful unexpected discovery! (laugh)
To finish on a calming, refreshing note, I enjoyed a delicate sweet jellied dessert.
During dinner hours from 17:00 to 20:00,
you’ll find everything from luxurious dishes to wonderfully affordable options.
Both lunch and dinner offer a Children’s Plate, so
this is the perfect spot to enjoy a slightly luxurious meal together with your kids ♪

Frequently Asked Questions

*Information accurate at the time of visit. Prices and hours are subject to change. Please confirm before visiting.