Kumamoto Food Guide: Horse Sashimi, Karashi Renkon & Tapiyan

Basashi (Horse Sashimi)

Kumamoto is Japan's top horse meat consumer. Fresh raw horse is served with ginger and garlic soy sauce — leaner and more flavourful than beef sashimi.

Karashi Renkon

A dish with history dating to the Hosokawa clan. Lotus root holes are filled with hot mustard miso paste and the whole thing is deep-fried.

Tapiyan (Taiheien)

A glass noodle soup dish brought from Fujian, China. With fried egg, vegetables and seafood, it has become a beloved Kumamoto home-cooking staple.

Ikinari Dango

A steamed dumpling made of sweet potato and red bean paste wrapped in wheat flour dough — the most beloved Kumamoto sweet.

Amakusa Seafood

The Amakusa islands offer outstanding fresh seafood including octopus, spiny lobster and kuruma shrimp.

Access

Most restaurants are in Kumamoto City's Kami-dori and Shimo-dori arcade areas. Amakusa seafood is available at restaurants in Amakusa City.