Hello, fellow travelers!

This is Binako, a writer for Sarukuma, fresh from watching my son beam with joy in the cozy Cars-themed pajamas his grandma just gave him!

Today I’m excited to introduce you to a delicious spot located in Kamikoube, Higashi Ward, Kumamoto City:
“Poppo Ojisan no Shio Karaage” (Uncle Poppo’s Salt Karaage) — a must-try for anyone craving authentic Japanese fried chicken!

You’ll find this gem inside Yume Town Sunpian shopping mall! ^^

This is the brand’s first store in Kumamoto!
I’d been dying to try it for ages, but the lines were always so long — today I finally went back to give it another shot!

Here’s what makes this karaage truly special: they fry everything in rice oil!
That means you can enjoy crispy fried chicken guilt-free!
Plus, all the chicken is sourced domestically from Japan, so you can dig in knowing it’s both safe and a bit lighter on your stomach. ♪

Beyond the karaage, there’s a tempting variety of side dishes available à la carte!

Takikomi (mixed rice) Bento — 450 yen
Chicken Katsu Bento — 330 yen
Chicken Nanban Bento — 430 yen
Yes, full bento boxes are on offer too!

And the prices are super wallet-friendly!

Takikomi Mixed Rice — 290 yen
Soboro Tori-Ten Donburi (chicken tempura rice bowl) — 430 yen
There’s also takikomi rice on its own, plus rice bowls! ^^

Petit Kara (mini karaage) — 330 yen
A generous heap of bite-sized karaage at a great price! ♪
The smaller size makes it perfect for kids — definitely a win for families traveling with little ones!

They even offer a crispy snack called “Saku Saku Age”!
It looks ridiculously tasty too~~~

Recommended Menu Items

Here’s the full menu! ^^

Karaage — 80 yen per piece
Tebashio (salted chicken wing) — 130 yen each
Tori-Ten (chicken tempura) — 5 pieces for 200 yen
Korikori (chicken cartilage) — 380 yen per pack
Karaage is sold by the piece, making it super easy to order just what you want, and the other dishes are affordable enough that you can mix and match a variety!

They also offer party platters (hors d’oeuvre sets)! Note: party platters require a reservation by the day before.

This time, I went with the Salt Karaage — 5 pieces for 400 yen!

They pack everything up right then and there, so there’s basically no wait — perfect for travelers on the go! ♪

Each piece is generously sized and fried to a beautiful golden crisp!

SO delicious!
It’s that comforting, soul-soothing flavor with an irresistibly crunchy coating.
Thanks to the rice oil, it doesn’t feel greasy at all —
you can keep eating without that heavy guilty feeling!

Poppo Ojisan no Shio Karaage just landed in Kumamoto for the first time!
The name is adorable, the karaage is incredibly tasty, and there’s a wide variety of other dishes to try.
If you’re visiting Kumamoto, definitely add this one to your foodie itinerary!

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Frequently Asked Questions

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