About Arot of Kitchen

Hello, fellow travelers!
I’m a Sarukuma writer who absolutely adores spring — though hay fever and I have a complicated relationship (*^-^*)

Today I’m taking you to a gem tucked away in Komine, Kumamoto City:
“Arot of Kitchen”.

Heading along Prefectural Route 232 toward the No. 2 Airport Line, you’ll spot a Cocos restaurant on your left — turn left at the very next corner ♪

A wonderfully stylish building soon emerges from the residential neighborhood ((⋈◍＞◡＜◍)。✧♡

The parking lot beside the restaurant fits 4 cars (two tandem rows of two), so if you’re rolling in with friends, carpooling is a smart move (*^-^*)

A gentle slope leads up to the entrance (*^-^*)

The exterior is gorgeous — and the interior somehow tops it ♪
Let’s step inside ♪

You’re greeted by a counter bathed in soft natural light, opening into a calm and chic dining space. The round window is a real showstopper.

Out of respect for other diners, I skipped photos of the seating area, but the layout includes 6 counter seats, 2 box seats, and 2 private rooms.

Today we’re enjoying lunch in one of the private rooms ♪

Arot of Kitchen — Recommended Menu

Once you sit down, the day’s menu is brought right over — try to keep that giddy “what should I order?!” excitement under control (*^-^*)

And here it is!

The menu changes regularly, so it’s not published in advance. As a self-confessed aroma-loving foodie, I just go with whatever catches my eye on the day.

For lunch, you can choose between
a Western-style set or a Japanese-style set ♪

Prices may shift slightly depending on the day’s menu, so consider what’s below a snapshot from our visit (*^-^*)

Western Lunch (every Western set comes with 2 fried prawns!!)
・Pick a main from the blackboard + small side, salad, rice, soup, and dessert

Japanese Lunch (every Japanese set comes with vegetable tempura!!)
・Pick a main from the blackboard + small side, salad, rice, miso soup, and dessert

Both are 1,200 yen (excluding tax), and you can add coffee for just 100 yen (*^-^*)

I went with the braised pork belly, while my friend chose the sea bream with grated daikon.

First up, the small side and salad ( *´艸｀)

Pickled vinegar veggies, sweet-and-savory simmered konnyaku, dressed lotus root, and a fresh salad.
The gentle tang and sweet-savory layers really wake up the appetite ♬

Here comes the main ♪
Braised pork belly!!

I assumed the tempura would arrive separately, but it was beautifully plated together!!

The sea bream with grated daikon also arrived crowned with elegant tempura — a real showpiece on the plate.

The two of us let out a spontaneous “Wow!”

Time to dig in — “Itadakimasu!” ♪♪

Starting with the pork belly!

The lightest touch of chopsticks reveals a tender, juicy interior ♪

How tempting does that look ♡

One bite and… “Oh wow, this is amazing!” ( *´艸｀)

Melt-in-your-mouth tender, refreshingly clean — never greasy.

The accompanying broth is bright and balanced, pairing beautifully with the vegetables.

I asked the chef’s wife about the little black grains floating in the broth — turns out they’re Arima sansho (Japanese mountain pepper).
Their subtle tingle lifts the natural flavors of every ingredient, and paired with slivers of fresh ginger, the whole dish stays light and zesty. Despite the satisfying portion, you can keep eating with ease (*^-^*)

Dessert and coffee round out the meal ♪

The dessert is so charming it almost looks like it’s posing for the camera — a truly adorable little treat!

It’s a two-layer bavarian cream of chocolate and milk, gently sweet and gone in a flash ♪

And here’s a peek at the Western Lunch (main: pork tenderloin cheese cutlet) from a separate visit (^^♪

Yes — I’m officially a repeat customer ♪

Unlike the Japanese set, this one comes with a creamy potage instead of miso soup. The cheese-stuffed pork cutlet is wonderfully crisp and never heavy — finished it in no time.

The restaurant is run by a lovely husband-and-wife team, so lunchtime can get busy — but even the wait becomes part of the charm, as you chat and unwind with friends or family in this peaceful space.

Reservations are highly recommended.

The chef’s wife kindly mentioned, “We don’t have children’s tableware or chairs, but if you bring your own, you’re more than welcome.” A truly thoughtful note for visiting families.

During our visit, other families with infants were dining on the same floor.

The box seats and private rooms are easy to settle into, and little ones can sit comfortably on a parent’s lap or beside them.
With hamburger steaks, cutlets, and other kid-friendly mains on the menu, families with children can enjoy a proper meal here too ♪

Arot of Kitchen — Information

Frequently Asked Questions

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