Hello, fellow travelers!
This is Binako, writer for Sarukuma!

Today I’m excited to introduce you to
Suizenji, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City‘s very own
“Suizenji JAZZ Sakaba Kappa” — a charming Japanese-style izakaba with a jazzy twist!

Just hearing the words “jazz izakaya” gets your heart racing with excitement, doesn’t it? ♪

And here we go — stepping inside!

The place was buzzing with reservations, with several tables already set up for guests on the night I visited. (^^♪

There’s also counter seating, perfect for solo travelers who want to enjoy a relaxing drink without any pressure! ( *´艸｀)

The refrigerator is lined up with all kinds of sake and other drinks — just looking at it gets you in the mood for a great night out! (laughs)

I was guided up the staircase at the back!
The second floor has a loft-like atmosphere, so remember — shoes off, please! (^^♪ (A traditional Japanese custom you’ll want to follow.)

Upstairs, instead of regular tables, there’s a tatami-style zashiki (Japanese floor seating) area set up like a private room — a wonderful feature for families with children! ( *´艸｀)

The walls are decorated with recommended menu boards and stylish artistic photos, adding to the charming atmosphere.

Recommended Menu

Recommended menu

“Tonight, please try these!”

If you’re feeling indecisive, just go straight for these picks.

The Drink Menu
Double-sided with options on both sides — you can sip your way through a fantastic variety of drinks all night long! ♪

And here’s the Food Menu.

The food menu is also double-sided with so many delicious options that picking just a few is genuinely tough — but don’t worry!

Because everything is amazing (and I mean it, with a straight face).

This time I ordered the Ginger Chuhai (550 yen) — a refreshing shochu highball with real ginger.
It’s spicy, zingy, and absolutely delicious!

It pairs incredibly well with fried foods!

“With ginger inside, surely it’ll burn off whatever I eat!”

That’s my zero-calorie theory for the night — and I’m sticking with it! lol

White Liver (Shiro Reba) — 240 yen

I had no idea what “white liver” was, so I just had to order it. And it was the right call!

Absolutely incredible.

If you love liver, this is a must-try.
When people ask what’s different from regular liver, my answer is simply:

The color

(Yes, just the color — and trust me, the taste is on another level!)

Chicken Skin Skewer — 180 yen

Tuna Skewer — 240 yen

Chicken Gizzards — 260 yen

Pork Belly — 260 yen

The tuna skewer was unbelievably good!
I chose the salt and wasabi flavor — it’s refreshing, with that little wasabi kick that gets your appetite going.

And then there’s this — what looks like grated daikon radish.

This might actually be my favorite of all!

It’s not actually grated, but finely chopped daikon — and I could honestly just keep eating this on its own forever. So good!

And what truly blew me away was this:

Deep-Fried Pork Trotter (Agedashi Tonsoku) — 880 yen

Crispy on the outside, melt-in-your-mouth tender on the inside — the moment I bit into it, I was hit with pure flavor shock!

It came with two pieces, and before I could even wonder if I’d finish them, they were gone.

And then this beauty:

Whole Camembert & Seasonal Vegetable Ahijo — 1,280 yen
Incredibly savory — so good you’ll want to drink the oil straight from the dish!

It comes with baguette slices, and once you start spooning Camembert onto them, there’s no stopping.

I ordered plenty of other dishes too, but these were my personal highlights.

And to finish things off — the perfect closing dish:

TKG

That stands for Tamago Kake Gohan — a classic Japanese dish of rice topped with raw egg.

Reliably delicious.

A comforting, soothing taste — the perfect end to a fantastic meal.

By the way, the Black Curry was also amazing.
It’s called “One-Bite Black Curry,” but honestly, the rice portion isn’t really one bite — more like four hearty bites before it’s gone.

It’s a bit spicy, so it’s best for grown-ups.

This is definitely a place you’ll want to visit again right away.

You can take your time enjoying delicious food, the staff are wonderfully kind, and the entire atmosphere is incredibly cozy.

If you’re visiting Kumamoto, please give this gem a try — you won’t regret it!

Frequently Asked Questions

※Information is current as of the time of reporting. Prices and hours are subject to change. Please verify before your visit.