Welcome to KND CAFE

Hello, this is Aikero, a writer for Sarukuma!

“Vegetables at the supermarket have gotten so expensive lately — it’s hard to eat enough greens…”
But for the sake of our health, we still want to load up on veggies, right?

If you’re a vegetable lover — or even if you’re the type who thinks “a salad is just a salad” — there’s a brand-new spot you have to check out. It opened in November right in the heart of Kumamoto!

Today we’re introducing KND CAFE, located in Shinshigai, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto City.
【KND CAFE】
You’ll find it on the popular Shimotori shopping arcade in central Kumamoto, right next to Puricranland Shimotori. The signage out front makes it easy to spot ♫
The first thing you’ll see when you walk in is a beautiful display case full of salad bowls!

Remember when mason jar salads were all the rage a few years back? These take that trend to a whole new level.

The salads are so colorful and vibrant, just looking at them makes you feel healthier!
Of course, looking won’t fill your stomach — so let’s eat! They’ll even hold a salad for you, as long as you can pick it up during business hours ♫

Here’s the lineup of salad bowls at KND CAFE ♫
If you look closely, each one has its nutritional balance and calorie count listed!

You’ve probably heard of PFC balance (Protein, Fat, Carbs) — and the “DF” likely stands for Dietary Fiber.
For anyone working out, training, or focused on improving their diet, this kind of detailed information is incredibly helpful!

・Today’s Special Salad with 12 Kinds of Vegetables — 980 yen
・Jumbo Shrimp & Creamy Avocado Salad — 1,380 yen
・Wagyu Roast Beef & Colorful Vegetable Salad — 1,450 yen
・Daiaso Chicken Breast & Broccoli Salad — 1,280 yen
・Saiki Farm Bacon & Cheese Salad — 1,380 yen
・Spicy Taco & Avocado Salad — 1,280 yen

There are 10 dressings to choose from — split into rich and creamy or light and refreshing styles ♫

・Rich & Creamy
Horseradish Cream — A yogurt and sour cream base with a zesty horseradish kick and a clean finish
Caesar — Rich cheese and garlic with a classic creamy flavor
Homemade Sesame — Sweet, fragrant, and creamy with ground sesame and sesame oil
Avocado & Lime — Creamy avocado balanced perfectly with bright lime
Honey Mustard — Sweet honey and spicy mustard for added depth

・Light & Refreshing
Japanese-Style Onion — A soy sauce base packed with grated onion
Wasabi Soy — Recommended if you want a Japanese twist
Chipotle — Smoky flavor from chipotle (smoked chili peppers)
Lemon Garlic — Olive oil base with lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper for clean simplicity
Salsa Vinaigrette — A tomato-based salsa transformed into a vinaigrette

They also serve soup, tea, drinks, and desserts to round out your meal ♫
You can take your meal to go or dine in! The seating area is up a flight of stairs on the second floor, so it may be a bit tricky if you have a stroller.

The interior is seriously stylish! Dried flowers and a sleek monochrome aesthetic make those colorful salads pop even more ♡
Here’s a peek at the seating. Other customers were dining when we visited so they’re not in the photo, but there are two tables for four and one table for two. I sat at the two-seater by the window — perfect for people-watching along the Shimotori arcade ♪

Recommended Menu at KND CAFE

How gorgeous is this presentation!?

When you dine in, they can plate your salad beautifully on a dish! Of course, you can also have it served in the bowl. If you’re in a hurry, the bowl is perfect — but if you have time to spare, the plated version is highly recommended ♫
I went with the Daiaso Chicken Breast & Broccoli Salad with Lemon Garlic dressing.

And just look at the elegant dish it arrived in!
It looks straight out of a salad dressing commercial ♡
I also added the soup of the day for an extra 330 yen! At the time of my visit, you could choose from three daily soups. So many great options!

I forgot what the other two were, but I went with the Sweet Potato & Carrot Potage. It comes with multigrain bread on the side.
The soup is wonderfully thick and creamy — delicious on its own, dipped with bread, or any way you enjoy it! According to the KND CAFE website, the soups are additive-free and packed with more than 10 kinds of vegetables and root vegetables.

The soup alone is worth the visit! The multigrain bread is fragrant and toasted to a nice crisp, adding the perfect crunchy texture.
After savoring the soup, it’s time for the main event — the salad!

The chicken breast was unbelievably moist and tender! The bite-sized pieces are easy to eat alongside the veggies — a truly amazing combination!
The chewy mochi barley grains and the dressing are the perfect supporting players in this salad symphony! Sweet and savory glazed lotus root adds a bold punch of flavor that contrasts beautifully with the fresh greens.

Even though it’s all fresh vegetables, the salad is hearty and filling — making for a satisfying yet light lunch!

With healthy eating on the rise, it’s wonderful to see more restaurants offering nutritious menus, giving you more options when you’re out and about ♫
Why not enjoy seasonal ingredients in their freshest form at KND CAFE? (^^)/

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Frequently Asked Questions

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