Introducing Buffet Restaurant Ginnan

Hello there!
Suddenly inspired to make smooth red bean paste,
I’m Binako, a writer for Sarukuma!

Today I’d like to introduce you to
“Buffet Restaurant Ginnan,”
located in Ninomaru, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture.

We previously featured Ginnan’s takeout menu on Sarukuma ^^

[Buffet Restaurant Ginnan] Their takeout Amakusa Daio chicken wing karaage is gigantic and delicious! (Ninomaru, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City)

So this time, we’ll be exploring the buffet side of things!
For parking, please use the paid parking lot at Sakuranobaba Josaien ♪

Here are the buffet prices.
・Adults: (Weekdays) 1,600 yen / (Weekends & Holidays) 1,900 yen
・Children: (Weekdays) 800 yen / (Weekends & Holidays) 950 yen (Free for children under 3)

And ladies, listen up!!
・Every Wednesday is Ladies’ Day: 1,600 yen → 1,280 yen
What a deal! Definitely worth planning a Wednesday visit.

The takeout menu also features a new addition:
・Ginnan Original Burger Set: 600 yen
It uses a homemade hand-kneaded patty made with domestic Japanese pork and Akaushi (red beef).
This one really catches my attention too…!!

Inside, there are several sofa seats by the window

and table seating in the center of the restaurant.

Children’s chairs are also available, making it easy to find seating that suits your needs.

Families with children were happily gathered around the table, enjoying their lunch together ♪

The buffet area is lined with colorful dishes featuring fresh vegetables.
With such a lovely atmosphere, it’s the perfect spot for a relaxed lunch.

Plates come in two sizes — Medium and Small.

Green Asparagus Wrapped in Pork Belly
Ingredient labels are clearly displayed, so you can pick up dishes with confidence.A truly seasonal dish made with a generous helping of bamboo shoots and cucumber.
With katsuobushi (bonito flakes) added in, it has a refreshing and savory dashi flavor.

Ham and Macaroni Gratin

A classic dish loved by both adults and children alike.
The deliciously browned cheese with creamy white sauce flowing down
practically taunts your hungry stomach.

This pasta also features spring vegetables.
With colorful ingredients like cabbage and bell peppers,
you can enjoy the deliciousness with your eyes first.

There’s also a fried foods corner.
Kushikatsu (skewered cutlets), hash browns, tempura, and more…
The homemade Kyushu chicken karaage in front is also available for takeout.
The crispy, tender batter is exquisitely delicious — highly recommended!

And let’s not forget — after the meal, it’s all about the dessert corner.
With pudding, coffee jelly, roll cake, and warabi mochi,
there’s a wide variety of desserts to enjoy. Why not splurge a little this time?

There’s also a drink bar with juice, tea, coffee, and more.
For parents whose kids constantly want drinks (like my son),
this service is a real lifesaver.

Children’s tableware is also available.
Chopsticks, spoons, and forks are prepared for various ages,
so kids can enjoy their meals with enthusiasm ♪

There’s also an à la carte menu

and an alcohol menu as well!

Buffet Restaurant Ginnan: Recommended Menu

Now, let’s start filling our plates.
Well… I may not have a sense for plating,
but my appetite is unmatched.

“This looks good.” “That looks good too.”
I walked around the table multiple times.
As I circled, my stomach growled in unison.

A luxurious curry made with Akaushi (Kumamoto’s famous red beef) and plenty of vegetables.
Just thinking about being able to eat this multiple times gets me excited.

Asari Clam and Burdock Takikomi Gohan (mixed rice).
When you open the rice cooker, the aroma of the sea wafts up
like a treasure chest, making you want to bask in the rising steam.

[Bina’s Tip]
When disposable gloves get stuck and turn inside out as you remove them,
you can blow air into them to fix them right up!!
(Be careful not to put in too much force or they’ll tear.)

And here’s my first plate.
Curry, takikomi gohan, pasta, karaage, gratin,
croquettes, karashi renkon (mustard-stuffed lotus root), and hamburg steak.
I piled it on as much as humanly possible.

First up, the asari clam and burdock takikomi gohan.

“Looks delicious! Itadakimasu!”
I savor the rice grain by grain, savoring the happiness with every bite.

“I can smell the sea!”
“The asari clams are amazing!!”
The umami released from the clams was so intense — it was a storm of emotion.

Next up, I’m trying the Akaushi curry.

A huge mouthful of curry, captured in one shot.
The slow-simmered Akaushi beef is meltingly tender,
and the curry is rich, spicy, and absolutely delicious…
I could eat bowl after bowl. It’s like a beverage.

The pasta also smells wonderful, drawing me in…

“I can really feel the spring season!!”
I’m enjoying the fresh, crisp vegetables to the fullest.

And my favorite — karashi renkon (Kumamoto’s famous mustard-stuffed lotus root).
“Bite!!” — I made a strange noise as I went in.

“That nose-tingling kick is irresistible!”
I savored the spicy mustard sensation hitting my nose
along with the crunchy texture of the lotus root.

After several rice refills, it’s finally dessert time.
“Which one should I get…” “Hmm, which is best…”
After much deliberation…

One of everything!! /(^o^)\ lol
While I’m here… my appetite won by a landslide.

I can’t hide my excitement at the array of sweets before me.
The “I want to eat now” energy is radiating from my whole being.

It’s not Mr. Luigi — it’s Ms. Kui-ji (Ms. Big Appetite)! (Self-proclaimed)

You can also make your own soft-serve ice cream,
so older kids will probably have so much fun they’ll want seconds (and thirds!) ♪

There — swirled it perfectly!!

Here’s a recommended way to eat it from Sarukuma’s Gussan.

Cut a croissant from the bread station next to the soft-serve machine in half,
and pile soft-serve ice cream generously on top.

You can already imagine how delicious this is going to be…

Then take a big bite all at once! Chomp!!!
Don’t worry about what people might think.
Just focus on the soft-serve and croissant, and dive right in.

The flaky croissant paired with cold, sweet soft-serve
is a combination that never disappoints.

As you can see from Gussan,
it brings out a wide-eyed, childlike joy.

There are also Omotenashi Bushotai (Hospitality Samurai Squad) performances twice daily — at 11:30 and 14:00.
The stage is right in front of Ginnan, so if your timing is right, you can catch the show from a front-row seat!

No matter what we ate, the chorus of “delicious!” never stopped.
With Kumamoto local cuisine and seasonal vegetable dishes,
it’s truly a place where adults, children, and people of all ages can have a great time.

If you’re visiting [Sakuranobaba Josaien] near Kumamoto Castle,
why not enjoy a delicious lunch at “Buffet Restaurant Ginnan”? ♪

We update our Instagram daily!
Sarukuma shares information on lunches, parks, and indoor activities for families with children in Kumamoto.
Please give us a follow! (*´∀｀*)

Frequently Asked Questions

*Information is current at time of reporting. Prices and hours are subject to change. Please confirm before visiting.