Introducing Yes Mart

Hello, travelers!
I’m Binako, a SaruKuma writer who can never resist snacking before mealtime!

Today I’m excited to introduce a brand-new spot that just opened on March 17, 2022,
located in Honjo, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto City:
“Yes Mart”!

Whether you’re a die-hard K-culture fan or simply curious about Korean food, this place is bound to put a smile on your face. Yes Mart is a Korean supermarket stocked with all kinds of authentic Korean products, and it’s the very first of its kind in Kumamoto!

The store shares its building with TSUTAYA Kotohira, so feel free to use that parking lot when you visit.

The first place I made a beeline for was the snack aisle.

Seeing shelves lined with packaging in Hangul instantly transports you to Korea. And don’t worry — every product has a Japanese label on the back so you’ll know exactly what you’re buying (a great help for international visitors trying to identify ingredients!).

The drink section is just as impressive.
There are so many options that it’s easy to get carried away — when something catches your eye, just toss it in the basket!

Some of the drinks come in absolutely adorable packaging too — perfect for an Instagram-worthy photo souvenir.

Of course, no Korean grocery store would be complete without an instant noodle aisle!

Korean instant noodles are famous for their sweet-and-spicy kick, but here you’ll also find some seriously fiery options that will have you saying “hee-hee!” from the heat.

If you love spicy food, this is the place to experiment with all kinds of flavors ♪

The frozen food selection is impressively varied!
If you’re staying in an Airbnb or apartment-style accommodation in Kumamoto and want to whip up an authentic Korean meal, this is your one-stop shop.
And what better way to round off a Korean dinner than with a bottle of Korean liquor? There’s a great variety of soju, makgeolli, and more — perfect for a tasting night with your partner or travel companions.

And of course, we can’t forget the star of Korean cuisine —
kimchi!!!

The shelves are lined with several different varieties of kimchi, so you can taste true authentic flavors right here in Kumamoto. A must-try!

Yes Mart’s Recommended Picks

Here’s what I picked up on my visit.

First up is this black soybean soy drink.

It’s rich and smooth, with a lovely roasted black bean aroma that wafts up through your nose with every sip.
If you’re a soy milk lover, you’ll definitely want to give this one a try.

I couldn’t resist this 2-liter mineral water priced under 100 yen.
Cheap, generous in size — a true budget traveler’s friend! (laughs)

My son, who’s a huge Crayon Shin-chan fan, grabbed this snack the moment he spotted it.
I mean, with packaging that cute, who could resist?

And this… oh wow, this was delicious!
Light and crispy with a gentle sweetness — once you start, you simply can’t stop.
The little round pieces sprinkled with black sesame seeds are as cute as they are tasty.

My son and I had fun deciding on this tteokbokki together.

He’s been on a spicy-food kick lately, so we picked up an instant tteokbokki cup to give it a try.

Honestly, it’s even easier than making cup ramen!

No boiling water or stove required — even kids can prepare it on their own.

The chewy, satisfying tteokbokki rice cakes coated in that sweet-and-spicy sauce are simply addictive.

The sauce hits with a sweet flavor first, then slowly builds into a serious heat — totally crave-worthy.
It’s so good you’ll want to scoop rice or other dishes into the empty cup just to soak up every last drop of sauce.

My son was shouting “Whew! It’s spicy!! But it’s so good!!” as he polished off way more than I expected. (laughs)

The Choco Stones were a treat for my son to enjoy on our drive home.

I had skipped the kimchi this time, thinking my son couldn’t eat it — but seeing him devour that spicy tteokbokki, I instantly regretted it. Looks like another visit to Yes Mart is in my near future!

Follow us on Instagram for daily updates!
SaruKuma shares info on lunch spots, parks, indoor play, and more for families in Kumamoto.
Thanks for following along(*´∀｀*)

Frequently Asked Questions

* Information accurate at the time of visit. Prices and hours may change. Please confirm before visiting.