Introducing Maru Omoi

Hello travelers! I’m Aikero, a writer for Sarukuma, Kumamoto’s go-to local guide.

Today I’m taking you to Maru Omoi (まる想い), a charming creative Japanese restaurant tucked away in Namitate, Minami Ward, Kumamoto City.Sorry the photo is a bit dark — but don’t worry, the restaurant sits right on the main road, so it’s easy to spot during your visit!

I’d been eyeing this place for ages after seeing mouthwatering photos shared on Instagram. Finally, on a recent Saturday, I rounded up the family and made the trip.

Spoiler alert: the food is delicious, the prices are unbeatable, and it’s one of the most welcoming izakaya we’ve found for families in Kumamoto. Read on for the full scoop!The street is quiet at night, so the area can feel a little dim — but it’s perfectly safe and easy to find.

The restaurant is located along National Route 501. If you’re driving in from the Tamana area (west) or Uto (south), just follow the road straight — no tricky turns required.Parking is right in front of the restaurant — but the lot is small, so if you’re traveling in a larger group, carpooling is your friend.Inside, the space feels like the ground floor of a cozy Japanese home.

Here’s the best part for travelers: it’s all tatami-style seating! You take off your shoes at the entrance and step up onto traditional raised flooring — an authentic Japanese dining experience that’s surprisingly hard to find these days.

They thoughtfully provide both children’s chairs and folding chairs for guests who can’t sit comfortably on the floor — a wonderful touch that makes the place accessible for all ages and abilities.
There are 4 dining sections. While not full private rooms, each is divided by partitions for added privacy — perfect for families with kids.

According to the official website, the restaurant can host private parties of up to 32 guests, making it a great option for family gatherings or celebrations during your Kumamoto trip.Here’s the course menu — options range from food-only to all-inclusive 3-hour drink packages:

・High-Value Food-Only Course: 3,500 yen
・Wai-Wai Full Belly Course (3-hour all-you-can-drink): 4,000 yen
・Casual Course (3-hour all-you-can-drink): 4,000 yen

The Wai-Wai Course features 10 large sharing plates, while other courses come with one plate per person. Variety lovers, rejoice! Children can also order à la carte, so picky little eaters get to choose their favorites.Available Monday–Thursday and Sunday only:
・Maru Omoi Meal Set: from 1,200 yen

This Japanese-style set meal even includes one drink — and yes, certain alcoholic options are included at this price. Incredible value!The à la carte menu has loads of options too:

・Dashimaki Tamago (Japanese rolled omelet): from 450 yen
・Various small bites: from 400 yen
・Salads: from 600 yen
・Grilled dishes: from 500 yen

★ Note: Prices shown are from the time of our visit.
Some prices have since increased, so the printed menu may differ slightly.

Since some time has passed between our visit and publication, please use these prices as a rough guide. (Even with the increases, it’s still a great deal!)
・Fried dishes: 500 yen
・Rice dishes: from 300 yen

★ Some prices have since increased.

And yes — eagle-eyed readers, you might notice the karaage (Japanese fried chicken) order shows just 4 pieces. The kids love it, so we ordered it! More on that delicious moment below.The recommended menu features seasonal fish dishes and even pasta!

The chef trained in both Japanese and Western cuisine, and his creativity shines through. Their Instagram is full of beautifully plated dishes worth scrolling through before your visit.

And how about these drink prices?
・Beer: 450 yen
・Highballs (various): 400 yen
・Soft drinks: 100–200 yen

★ Prices shown are from the time of visit. Some have since increased.

With soft drinks this affordable, parents can finally stop saying “this is your last juice!” to the kids — a small luxury, but a big win!
Now here’s my personal favorite:
・Non-alcoholic cocktails (various): 400 yen each

The menu literally says “Drink together with your kids!” — these alcohol-free cocktails are completely safe for children, so no more “why do mom and dad get the cool drinks?” complaints.

They even offer both carbonated and non-carbonated options — perfect for younger children who can’t handle bubbles yet!

Maru Omoi’s Recommended Dishes

・Caesar Salad with Thick-Cut Bacon

Generous chunks of thick bacon piled high on a giant plate — this salad is seriously satisfying. A reliable crowd-pleaser.・Plain Dashimaki Tamago (Japanese Rolled Omelet)

Soft, fluffy, and gently flavored with dashi — this Japanese classic was perfect for the kids. Both children loved it so much that we had to order seconds!
・Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken) — 4 pieces

Looks like ordinary karaage, right?Surprise — each piece is much bigger than your average karaage! Hard to tell from the photo, but four pieces was the perfect amount for our family of four.My food-loving son gave each new dish a one-man standing ovation as it arrived — “WOOOW!” he’d cheer. So pure!

While he ate with his hands (his preference), the restaurant offers child-sized tableware. The staff also kindly asked, “Would you like a child-sized portion of the drink?” when we ordered — such a thoughtful touch for traveling families.
・Pork Belly, Shiso, and Cheese Tempura with Plum (Umeboshi) Sauce

Pork belly + shiso (Japanese mint leaf) + cheese + tangy plum sauce? You know it’s going to be amazing before the first bite. Crispy outside, juicy inside, with the umami of the pork shining through every layer. Heavenly!
・Maru Omoi Original Non-Alcoholic Cocktail “Monster”

This stunning two-layered drink had my daughter mesmerized. Stir it up and…
…it transforms into this gorgeous color!

I ordered it for myself, but as you can probably guess, my daughter drank the entire thing. (Worth it — seeing kids happy is the best part!)

We’ve been back several times since, and my daughter always orders this instead of regular soft drinks — it’s officially her favorite!

It’s non-carbonated, making it perfect for younger kids. The flavor is reminiscent of pineapple juice (though I only got one tiny sip to confirm…).
・Boneless Pig’s Feet Cubes (Tonsoku) Deep-Fried

Spotted on Google reviews — “A must-try!” “Pig’s feet lovers, you have to order this!” As lifelong tonsoku fans, my husband and I had no choice but to dive in.How did they do this?!

The outside is shatteringly crisp; the inside is meltingly tender, almost gelatinous. And somehow, it’s all neatly shaped into perfect cubes — what kind of culinary wizardry is this?

This is the ideal introduction to Japanese pig’s feet for travelers who might be put off by the more traditional “this is clearly a foot” presentation. The texture is fantastic, the tangy sauce is irresistible. (Warning: piping hot when served!)・Young Chicken Cut Steak with Yuzu Pepper Ponzu

That red garnish? Don’t worry — it’s not spicy! The mildly zesty yuzu kosho (yuzu pepper paste) and citrusy ponzu sauce dance beautifully with the juicy chicken. We were practically begging for white rice to go with it.

The portion was generous enough for two adults — and at 500 yen, the value is absolutely incredible!・Maru Omoi’s Doria (Japanese-style Rice Gratin)

My husband ordered tororo (grated yam) rice for himself but added this doria “for me” — even though I had wanted the popular omurice based on online reviews. (The struggle is real!)

This dish was easily 3–4 servings, so we tag-teamed and finished it together. Reasons unknown.

The ketchup-flavored rice paired with creamy béchamel sauce was utterly delicious — a Japanese comfort food classic done right.・Baked Chocolate Cake

This dessert is made to order, so put your order in early for a sweet ending!

I usually skip dessert at izakayas, but with how affordable everything else was, I felt entitled to splurge. The waft of warm chocolate as it arrived at our table was pure magic.
Just as the name suggests, it’s a freshly baked chocolate cake — crispy on the outside, melt-in-your-mouth fluffy on the inside. And you get TWO slices of this generous size!

Not pictured: my husband’s tororo rice (the source of our doria debate) and several rounds of drink refills. We ate, we drank, we were thoroughly stuffed…

Total bill: 7,300 yen!!! (pre-price-increase rates)
That even includes the otoshi (Japanese cover charge appetizer) for two adults at 400 yen!

On our way out, my husband said, “Let’s come back again.” Internal fist pump! When my pick is a hit with the family, that’s a victory worth celebrating. (I’ll forgive him for the doria thing… probably.)Heads up: it was a Saturday night and the restaurant was completely full by 7 PM!

With limited seating, weekend reservations are highly recommended. We’ve already booked our next visit!

Online reservations are quick and easy. Search for “Maru Omoi” or use the link in their Instagram bio.

Because the kitchen is small, food may take a bit longer to arrive when the restaurant is busy — but trust us, it’s worth the wait. Families with young children might want to bring small toys or books to keep the little ones happy while you wait.

The staff was warm and welcoming throughout our entire visit. We had a wonderful time and highly recommend Maru Omoi to anyone exploring Kumamoto with the family!

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Frequently Asked Questions

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