Hello, fellow travelers!

I went to an onsen but it had already closed, so I ended up bathing at home —
I’m Binako, writer for Sarukuma!

Introducing Lien (Rian)

Today, I’m introducing
“Lien (Rian)”, located in Miyaji, Ichinomiya-machi, Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture.
You’ll find it along the Aso Ichinomiya Monzen-machi shopping street, a charming area near Aso Shrine.

I spotted their famous meat-wrapped rice balls (nikumaki onigiri) online and just had to try them — so off I went!

The meat-wrapped rice balls are a takeout specialty.
They also serve a sit-down lunch menu, so it’s worth dropping in either way!

Inside, there’s cozy table seating where you can sit down and enjoy lunch in a relaxed atmosphere.

The chalkboard on the wall lists Lien’s recommended dishes — next time, I’m definitely coming back for the hamburger steak (one of my all-time favorites)!

Toward the back of the shop, you’ll also find lovely handmade goods for sale — woven basket bags, leather coin purses, and hair accessories. A perfect spot for souvenir shopping!

And here’s a bonus for international travelers: Lien accepts mobile Pay services and credit cards — no need to worry about carrying lots of cash.

Lien’s Recommended Menu

The takeout meat-wrapped rice balls (nikumaki onigiri) come in several flavors:
1 piece — 378 yen
3-piece set — 1,080 yen
Four varieties to choose from: Plain, Mayonnaise, Mentai-Mayo (spicy cod roe with mayo), and Grilled Cheese.

This time, I went with Plain — 378 yen.
I figured the classic flavor would be the best way to taste the real essence of the dish — though I have to admit, the Grilled Cheese was seriously tempting!

The portion is generous, and the savory-sweet sauce coats every inch — there’s no way this could be anything but delicious.

Oh my goodness — irresistible!
The rice is wonderfully soft and flavorful.
The meat is juicy, tender, and falls apart in your mouth — it pairs perfectly with the rice for an incredible bite.

And that sweet-savory sauce? Pure magic. So good you’ll find yourself finishing the whole thing in seconds.

I’m sure the Cheese and Mentai-Mayo versions are just as fantastic.

One bite and you’ll be craving more —
so the 3-piece set might just be the perfect choice!

If you’re exploring Aso, definitely make a stop at Lien — you won’t regret it!

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Frequently Asked Questions

※Information is accurate at the time of reporting. Prices and hours are subject to change. Please verify before visiting.