What time is best to visit Katsuretsutei Honten in Kumamoto to reduce waiting time and enter quickly?

Katsuretsutei Honten opens at 11:00 AM. According to an article, when arriving around 10:40 AM, there were about 3 groups waiting, and seats were available immediately around 11:05 AM. We recommend visiting a little earlier than the opening time.

Is there a recommended way to order at Kumamoto Katsuretsutei to save on meal costs when two people visit?

Yes, the article recommends that if two people visit, they should order one set menu and one à la carte item, and share the rice. This is because the set menu includes a generous amount of rice, and the set is 440 yen more expensive than the à la carte item.

If I visit Kumamoto Katsuretsutei Honten by car, which parking lot is recommended, and what are the parking discount details?

When visiting Katsuretsutei Honten, it is recommended to use the Karashima Park parking lot. You can receive one 100 yen (30-minute) discount ticket for every 3,000 yen spent on your meal, so please check and apply it when paying after your meal.

Katsuretsutei Kumamoto Review 2026: Michelin Tonkatsu &…

Kumamoto's Michelin-recognized Katsuretsutei

We're sharing our honest take on the wait times, prices, taste, and overall satisfaction.

My husband and I recently visited Kumamoto, and one of our most anticipated meals was at Katsuretsutei. Here's our full review!

After a breathtaking day exploring Mount Aso, we settled into our comfortable stay at Reph Kumamoto by Vessel.

The next morning, while figuring out our brunch plans, we realized Katsuretsutei's main branch was literally just a minute's walk from our hotel. The decision was easy!

This spot was featured in the 2018 Michelin Guide Kumamoto Oita Special Edition, and my husband was incredibly excited to try it.

Katsuretsutei Michelin waiting list: We recommend arriving before opening.

Katsuretsutei opens its doors at 11:00 AM, and we arrived around 10:40 AM.

We checked out of our hotel and headed straight there, and even at that early hour, there were already about three groups waiting ahead of us. It was clear this place was a local favorite!

Arrive a little before opening, and you'll get seated quickly.

The restaurant has a cozy ambiance! Partitions offer a private dining experience.

Promptly at 11:00 AM, the doors opened, and we registered our names. By about 11:05 AM, we were already being shown to our table.

For our meal, we decided on their signature Kurobuta (black pork) tonkatsu.

Atsuage Kurobuta Rosukatsu Set: ~$24

Atsuage Kurobuta Hirekatsu Set: ~$25

They also offer sets that include shrimp tempura, but those were over 4,000 JPY (around ~$28), which felt a bit much for us. We decided to stick with the classic black pork.

As some of you might know, my husband and I live on Jeju Island in Korea, where black pork is a specialty we enjoy regularly.

So, spending almost ~$49 on tonkatsu for two felt a little extravagant. But hey, we were in Japan! We decided to splurge and fully embrace the travel experience.

The grated daikon radish and tsukemono included in the set arrive first!

The set menu includes rice, miso soup, tsukemono (Japanese pickles), and grated daikon radish. This adds ~$3 to the price compared to ordering à la carte.

However, once our food arrived, we noticed the portion of rice was quite generous.

So, if you're dining with two people, a money-saving tip would be to order one set and one à la carte tonkatsu, then share the rice.

While we waited, we ground the sesame seeds at our table, a classic tonkatsu ritual. About 20 minutes later, our food arrived.

Katsuretsutei Shinshigai Main Branch Rosukatsu in Kumamoto

Both the Rosukatsu and Hirekatsu were incredibly thick and crispy. At first, the portions seemed modest, but the generous cuts of pork were so satisfying that we were completely full by the end of our meal.

The steamed rice, in particular, was delicious – so good that we almost regretted not being able to finish it all because of the generous serving size.

While Katsuretsutei's tonkatsu is undeniably excellent, considering the price point of around ~$24 per person, it might not be considered the best value for money.

However, if you're looking for a special dining experience at a Michelin-recognized restaurant in Kumamoto, it's definitely worth a visit.

We felt it's more suited for travelers seeking a memorable, special meal during their trip rather than a regular haunt.

📍 Katsuretsutei
8-18 Shinshigai, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto, 860-0803 Japan

If you're driving, we recommend using the Karashima Park parking lot.

While the exact criteria are a bit hazy in my memory, you can typically receive one ~$1 (30-minute) parking discount ticket for every ~$21 spent. Make sure to inquire about it when you pay your bill after your meal!