Introducing Aji no Otsuya

Hello, fellow travelers!
I keep telling myself I’ll do home stretches,
but my willpower is wonderfully weak.
This is Binako, your Sarukuma writer!

Today I’m taking you to Aji no Otsuya,
a beloved yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) restaurant located in Ozu, Kikuchi District, Kumamoto Prefecture.

Confession time: back in my student days,
this place was my absolute go-to spot for great food on a budget!

Parking is available right in front of and beside the restaurant.
There’s also a second parking lot just across the street, so finding a spot is never a hassle.

Inside, you can choose between traditional Japanese tatami-style seating (zashiki) or regular table seats. They also provide kid-friendly tableware on request.

For the little ones, Bumbo seats and kids’ chairs are available too,
so families with young children can dine here with total peace of mind!

I visited on a weekend this time, so the lunch menu wasn’t available,
but on weekdays, you can enjoy all-you-can-eat yakiniku for just 2,178 yen! Seriously, this place is a wallet’s best friend. Thank you, Aji no Otsuya — I love you!

There are several other all-you-can-eat courses too:
Kaido Course: 2,980 yen
Kuroge Wagyu Daimanzoku (Full Satisfaction) Course: 3,680 yen
Kuroge Wagyu Kyukyoku (Ultimate) Course: 4,950 yen
You can also add an all-you-can-drink option for an additional fee.

Recommended Menu at Aji no Otsuya

This time, we went for the Kaido Course.
The moment we ordered, we headed straight for the salad bar.
With so many fresh vegetables and fruits on offer,
I piled my plate as high as I possibly could!

Miso soup, Japanese curry, wakame seaweed soup,
and even simmered hormone (offal) stew are all all-you-can-eat too.

Talk about generous service — I’m beyond happy!

Now check this out!
An automatic rice dispenser that goes “plop!” with the perfect portion.
It’s surprisingly fun — definitely give it a try, everyone! lol
There are even raw eggs available, so you can enjoy authentic TKG (tamago kake gohan, or rice with raw egg)!

And here comes the meat — yes please!
The red, lean cuts look amazing. Yakiniku is the best — I could eat it every day!

Wasabi is also provided,
so I went for a wasabi-and-salt combo this time.

And wow — it was incredible!
The meat was super tender, and the wasabi added a refreshing kick that’s hard to put into words.

I just kept ordering more and more.
It’s all-you-can-eat, after all — gotta make the most of it!

This whole grilled sagari (hanging tender / outside skirt steak) had such a satisfying meaty texture —
I felt like I was really eating MEAT, and ended up devouring the whole thing solo! lol

Oh, and I also adore beef tongue (tan), so I kept ordering it nonstop right up until last call…
Honestly? I could’ve kept going!

For dessert, I closed out the meal with some classic annin tofu (almond jelly).

Wait — actually, scratch that.
Ice cream is also all-you-can-eat, so I REALLY ended the meal with ice cream!

The kids were over the moon, scooping up ice cream like there was no tomorrow. lol

Bonus: when you pay the bill, kids get to play a free gachapon (capsule toy) machine,
so honestly, my kids were eating mostly because they couldn’t wait for the gachapon prize at the end! lol

With its incredible variety of meats, ice cream, and side dishes, Aji no Otsuya has been my favorite spot for years —
I keep coming back again and again. You absolutely have to try it on your visit to Kumamoto!

And good news — lunch isn’t just all-you-can-eat; there are also classic teishoku (set meals) on offer!

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Frequently Asked Questions

※Information accurate at the time of reporting. Prices and hours may change. Please confirm before your visit.