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

Today, I’m excited to introduce you to a wonderful spot located in Hikari-no-Mori, Kikuyo Town, Kikuchi District, Kumamoto Prefecture:
“Cafe Restaurant Chez Irie”.

This beloved cafe restaurant has been a Hikari-no-Mori favorite for over 18 years.
It’s located on the first floor of a three-story apartment building.
Parking is available beside the building
and also at the back of the property.
Look out for the red signboard — that’s your landmark!

Although Chez Irie is a Western-style restaurant,
the entrance is beautifully decorated with stylish Japanese tableware — a charming East-meets-West touch.
At the entrance, I spotted today’s pasta special!
Eggplant and Bacon Tomato Sauce Pasta
À la carte: ¥980 (excl. tax)
Set: ¥1,350 (excl. tax)
The interior also carries a warm Japanese atmosphere.
There are larger tables available too,
making it a great choice for group lunches with friends or family!Lush green plants are scattered throughout the space,
creating a wonderfully calm and cozy ambiance ♪
Kids’ chairs are also provided!
And the restroom is equipped with a diaper-changing table — perfect for traveling families.

Recommended Menu

I dropped by during lunchtime.
Here’s the menu.
There’s also a Kids’ Plate featuring fluffy melt-in-your-mouth omurice with hayashi sauce!
Set: ¥800 (excl. tax)
À la carte: ¥530 (excl. tax)

I went with the highly recommended
Variety Plate at ¥1,300.

The presentation is incredibly luxurious ☆
・Pork Tenderloin Simmered in Tomato Sauce
・Fried Shrimp
・Crab Cream Croquette
・Prosciutto (Marinated Italian Cured Ham)
・Small Side Dish
・Salad
・Soup of the Day
・Choice of Rice or Bread
The bread is served fresh out of the oven — warm, fragrant, and absolutely delicious ♪
Every dish is carefully prepared and visually stunning,
and of course, the flavors are absolutely outstanding!!
The desserts here are a real treat too,
so I naturally added the dessert option (+¥300),
and on this day it was tiramisu ♪
A sweet finish to a satisfying meal — what a delight ☆

The Variety Plate Lunch changes monthly, so it’s worth checking back regularly!
Also note that dinner is currently by reservation only,
but the evening menu is just as delicious — so please be sure to give it a try ♪♪

Frequently Asked Questions

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