Introducing From Takamotoya: Specialty Bento and Side Dishes

Hello there, travelers!
This is Gussan, your Sarukuma writer.

I had been curious about this place for a while —
a bento shop supervised by Takamotoya, the celebrated black vinegar chicken nanban specialist [From Takamotoya: Specialty Bento and Side Dishes] —
and I finally went to check it out!

Takamotoya is a well-known Kumamoto kuro-zu (black vinegar) chicken nanban specialist, with its flagship store in Ueki and other locations across the prefecture, including Kengun and Hikari-no-Mori.
We previously featured the Kengun branch on Sarukuma.

[Black Vinegar Chicken Nanban Specialist Takamotoya] Crispy chicken nanban! The all-purpose black vinegar sauce and tartar are a perfect match (Higashino, Higashi-ku, Kumamoto City)

For many in Kumamoto, Takamotoya is the first name that comes to mind for chicken nanban — but I was surprised to learn from their website that they also have branches in Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Oita, and Saga!
The Takamotoya-supervised bento shop is located in Onoue, Higashi-ku, Kumamoto City, along Kencho-dori (the prefectural office street).
It sits diagonally across from TSUTAYA, with three parking spaces available beside the shop.
As a takeout-only bento shop, there is no dine-in space, but they provide chairs so you can sit while waiting.
The interior is bright with natural light and feels clean and welcoming.
Salads and drinks are sold beside the register.
Here is another fun fact about Takamotoya:
their shumai specialty shop “Watashi, Gyoza yori mo Shumai-ha” (I’m Team Shumai over Gyoza)
was even featured on the popular Japanese TV show “Matsuko no Shiranai Sekai”!

Recommended Menu at From Takamotoya

Now let me introduce the bento lineup — perfect for piling onto a big bowl of white rice!

Addictive Yangnyeom Chicken Bento — ¥680
Chicken Thigh Honey Mustard Bento — ¥650
Tenshukaku Steak Bento — ¥850
Thick-Cut Karaage (Fried Chicken) Bento — ¥580
Black Vinegar Chicken Nanban Bento — ¥680
Bomb Onigiri Bento — ¥480
Shumai and Chicken Gobo Bento — ¥650
The bomb onigiri can also be purchased on its own.
Personally, I am dying to try the mentaiko-mayo, shiso, and cream cheese bomb!
There is also a daily salad, nameko mushroom miso soup, and tonjiru (pork miso soup).100% Oatmeal Pork Tama Okonomiyaki
A diet-friendly price of ¥500. This one caught my eye too…

The bento comes in two separate compartments like this.
And what I picked was…the Addictive Yangnyeom Chicken Bento!
The deciding factor was, of course, that magic word — “Yangnyeom” (the famous Korean sweet-spicy sauce).
I am hopelessly weak to anything labeled “yangnyeom.”
When I lifted it up, the yangnyeom box felt impressively heavy.
That sweet-and-spicy chicken explodes in your mouth — pure happiness! Once you start, the chopsticks just won’t stop!

My husband may no longer give me affectionate hugs (these days he just remarks, “Wow, sturdy shoulders!”), but no matter what shape I am in, I refuse to give up carbs!
It was exactly the kind of devour-the-rice lunch I had been hoping for.
At From Takamotoya, you can also buy side dishes only, which is a great option for days when you don’t feel like cooking the main course at home.

[Black Vinegar Chicken Nanban Specialist Takamotoya] Crispy chicken nanban! The all-purpose black vinegar sauce and tartar are a perfect match (Higashino, Higashi-ku, Kumamoto City)

[CLOSED] [I’m Team Shumai over Gyoza] Newly opened premium shumai specialty shop (Hanatate, Higashi-ku, Kumamoto City)

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* Information is current as of the time of the visit. Prices and hours may change. Please confirm before visiting.