Sarukuma Editor’s Pick: Most Popular Gourmet Spots

Hello food lovers! This is Aikero, a writer for Sarukuma.

To all the foodies out there — have you eaten lots of delicious things this year too?

Based on the restaurants that received the most blog views and Instagram saves throughout 2025, we’ve put together our Sarukuma Editor’s Top 7 Most Popular Gourmet Spots of the year!

How many have you been to?
0–1 spots… You’ve got delicious adventures ahead
2–4 spots… Happy to let others choose
5–6 spots… A balanced foodie who keeps up with trends
7 spots… A gourmet expert beyond even our editorial team!

I scored 6 — a balanced foodie who keeps up with trends! (Yay!)
Next year, I’m going for the full set!

No. 7: Mirukoro Labo

A beloved spot for all generations where you can experience dairy farming and ranch life up close!
Don’t miss the ice cream and yogurt made with fresh Omega-3 Jersey milk, plus lunch menus featuring beef from the farm.
The butter-making experience turns hands-on fun into real learning, making it perfect for kids!
With the West Loop Road now open, it’s even easier to reach from central Kumamoto City.
You’ll find their famous half-set yogurt (featured on TV), along with unique products like a yogurt dip sauce that doubles as a cooking ingredient.
With goat petting and a giant cornfield maze in summer, it’s a fantastic destination for a family day out.

[Mirukoro Labo – Suya, Koshi City] The famous Mirukoro half-set yogurt shop has been reborn! A relaxing space perfect for family lunches!

No. 6: Imokichi

Opened in February 2025!
Their Sarukuma Instagram reel hit 179,000 views with over 1,300 saves — talk about viral!
They use only Beni Haruka sweet potatoes sourced directly from farmers in Nishihara Village.
The simple sweet potato tempura starts at just 150 yen per piece, and the warm, naturally sweet flavor keeps customers coming back!
You can find them at their shop just off Route 3, as well as inside Cainz Uto Store!
The bite-sized tempura, coated in a slightly sweet batter, is the kind of snack that makes kids beg for more.
With takoyaki and karaage on the menu too, it’s a perfect snack stop.

[Imokichi – Tomiai-machi, Minami Ward, Kumamoto City] The legendary ‘truly delicious’ sweet potato tempura shop opens a new location!

No. 5: Wanokura Kitoki

Wanokura Kitoki ranked No. 2 in 2024 Sarukuma Instagram saves, and its popularity is still on the rise — it’s now climbing our blog rankings too!
The calm atmosphere and satisfying set meals at affordable prices have created an explosion of word-of-mouth buzz!
Despite being right on the Hamasen Bypass, it has a hidden-gem vibe perfect for a grown-up lunch.
But don’t worry — they also offer tatami rooms and a kids’ space, making it family-friendly too.
Reservations are recommended for a smooth visit.

[Wanokura Kitoki – Denakama, Minami Ward, Kumamoto City] A perfect-value lunch on Hamasen Bypass! Kids’ space makes it stress-free for families.

No. 4: Kome no Ate Sumika

Opened in December 2024 and still ranking high in our blog views!
From their breakfast set (orderable from opening until noon) to beef, pork, chicken, fish, and noodle dishes, the menu variety is incredible!
It’s perfect when everyone in the family wants something different — there’s truly something for everyone.
Both the morning and lunch sets come with four small obanzai side dishes.
The rice is from Kumamoto Prefecture, cooked in a traditional clay pot, and refills are free!
In the evening, it transforms into an izakaya with a different menu — another great reason to keep coming back.

[Kome no Ate Sumika – Ikutomi, Koshi City] Newly opened in December near Hikari no Mori! Set meals, udon, curry, and more — the breakfast set (available until noon) is perfect for lunch too!

No. 3: t.tarte

Opened in November 2024!
Within just one month of our post, this shop became No. 1 in 2024 Sarukuma Instagram saves — and the love continues on our blog!
Their signature melt-in-your-mouth tarts paired with seasonal fruits create flavors you won’t find anywhere else!
They also serve shaved ice in summer, drawing daily crowds.
Whole tarts are now available, plus seasonal items like Christmas cakes for special occasions.
The crisp-yet-crumbly texture might just change your idea of what a tart can be!

[t.tarte – Tsukide, Higashi Ward, Kumamoto City] Melt-in-your-mouth texture! A new specialty tart shop bringing fruit and tart together in beautiful harmony!

No. 2: KAWACHI BASE – Ryueiso

This spot made waves when Japanese celebrity Suzanne opened it, and our blog post about it is still drawing tons of readers!
With a theme of beauty, food, and wellness, the menu showcases Kumamoto’s finest ingredients — including local Kawachi mandarin orange sweets.
Their original medicinal herbal tea has a wonderful aroma and warms you from the inside out.
Now you can also stay overnight — limited to just two groups per day!
Located in the peaceful, relaxed town of Kawachi, this trending spot satisfies both body and soul.
If you’re lucky, you might even meet Suzanne herself!

[KAWACHI BASE – Ryueiso – Kawachi-machi, Nishi Ward, Kumamoto City] ‘I want to energize Kumamoto from Kawachi!’ A former inn reborn as a cafe and lodging, powered by Suzanne’s vision!

And the No. 1 Spot Is…

With 220,000 views and over 2,000 saves on a single Sarukuma Instagram reel, plus the 5th-most blog views in our gourmet category, this red-hot restaurant takes the crown as 2025’s most popular gourmet spot!

No. 1: Koso BURGER & cheesecake
Opened in January 2025 by a chef who went independent from Mont Paris in Mifune Town, this burger joint quickly became a sensation.
Big, satisfying portions and burgers crafted from scratch — including handmade buns — keep fans coming back for more!
With the chef’s independence, Mont Paris stopped serving burgers, so this is now the only place to enjoy that legendary flavor.
It’s a bit further from Mifune Town now, but fans are thrilled to have that taste back.
The comments section was buzzing: ‘So happy it’s closer now!’ ‘It’s farther for me now… but I’ll still go!’ ‘I used to drive all the way to Mifune!’
That’s how deeply this flavor is loved!
With a kids’ menu available, it’s also a great pick for families.
Both takeout and dine-in are available.
Since every burger is made from scratch, calling ahead to order means a smoother visit with less waiting.
With new monthly specials rolling out regularly, Koso BURGER & cheesecake just keeps getting better.
If you haven’t been yet, this is a must-visit on your Kumamoto food adventure!

[Koso BURGER & cheesecake – Sunabaru-machi, Minami Ward, Kumamoto City] Independent from Mifune’s Mont Paris! Hearty burgers with handmade buns — now in Minami Ward!

A Note from the Editorial Team

How did you enjoy our top 7 gourmet picks?
Honestly, Kumamoto has so many amazing restaurants that narrowing it down was a real challenge!

Based on blog and Instagram engagement, plus our editorial perspective, we curated this ranking. Kumamoto folks are known as ‘wasamon’ — fans of new things — but it was fascinating to see that restaurants from a year ago are still going strong.
And every single one of these spots is family-friendly, so we hope you’ll enjoy delicious moments together with your loved ones.

We’ll keep exploring and sharing even more wonderful places with you in the future.
If you have a recommendation or a spot you’re curious about, feel free to message us anytime! (^^)/

Related Links

[Mirukoro Labo – Suya, Koshi City] The famous Mirukoro half-set yogurt shop has been reborn! A relaxing space perfect for family lunches!

[Imokichi – Tomiai-machi, Minami Ward, Kumamoto City] The legendary ‘truly delicious’ sweet potato tempura shop opens a new location!

[Wanokura Kitoki – Denakama, Minami Ward, Kumamoto City] A perfect-value lunch on Hamasen Bypass! Kids’ space makes it stress-free for families.

[Kome no Ate Sumika – Ikutomi, Koshi City] Newly opened in December near Hikari no Mori! Set meals, udon, curry, and more — the breakfast set (available until noon) is perfect for lunch too!

[t.tarte – Tsukide, Higashi Ward, Kumamoto City] Melt-in-your-mouth texture! A new specialty tart shop bringing fruit and tart together in beautiful harmony!

[KAWACHI BASE – Ryueiso – Kawachi-machi, Nishi Ward, Kumamoto City] ‘I want to energize Kumamoto from Kawachi!’ A former inn reborn as a cafe and lodging, powered by Suzanne’s vision!

[Koso BURGER & cheesecake – Sunabaru-machi, Minami Ward, Kumamoto City] Independent from Mifune’s Mont Paris! Hearty burgers with handmade buns — now in Minami Ward!

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Frequently Asked Questions

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