What kind of menu can visitors enjoy at 'Sanji' in Kumamoto Yataimura, and what was their experience like?

'Sanji' offers typical izakaya dishes such as karaage and gyoza, as well as Kumamoto specialties like takigyoza and basashi (horse meat sashimi). Visitors ordered yakigyoza and takigyoza, noting that the Suntory draft beer was refreshing and delicious but small in quantity and expensive. Takigyoza is a dish where dumplings are boiled in Kumamoto-style tonkotsu broth, and noodles can also be added.

What type of restaurant is 'Amakusaya' in Kumamoto Yataimura, and what was their recommended menu?

'Amakusaya' is a straw-fired grilled specialty restaurant located at the very front of Yataimura, opposite 'Sanji'. Visitors ordered the assorted straw-fired grilled meat platter, recommended by staff, for approximately ~$19. This menu features three types of meat – chicken, beef, and tuna – served tataki-style, and was said to be delicious with a smoky straw-fired aroma.

What are the price and quantity like for the sake vending machine available at Kumamoto Yataimura?

The sake vending machine at Kumamoto Yataimura can be used for ~$1. However, the quantity is very small, making it insufficient to fully appreciate the taste or aroma of the sake. It's best used for a brief experience of what it feels like.

Kumamoto Yataimura Review 2026: Amakusaya's Grilled Delights

Kumamoto Yataimura Review 2026: Amakusaya's Grilled Delights | TRVLOGUE

While planning our trip to Kumamoto, my husband and I stumbled upon something truly unique: Yataimura.

Kumamoto Yataimura is essentially a vibrant food stall village, bringing together a variety of eateries. The buzz was all about the fun of hopping from one spot to another, grabbing a bite and a drink at each. Honestly, I didn't have huge expectations, but my husband was incredibly keen, so we decided to head there for dinner and some evening drinks.

Upon arriving at Kumamoto Yataimura, we took a quick stroll to survey all the options.

Initially, nothing immediately caught our eye, but after some deliberation, we settled on a place called 'Sanji,' reportedly known for its delicious Suntory draft beer.

'Sanji' is conveniently located right at the front of Yataimura, on the left side. We'd read a blog raving about their draft beer, and as big fans of a good pint, we couldn't pass it up!

Here's a look at the menu from Sanji at Kumamoto Yataimura.

They offered a mix of classic izakaya staples like karaage and gyoza, alongside unique Kumamoto specialties such as taki-gyoza (dumpling hot pot) and basashi (horse sashimi). Since we wanted to try a few different places within Yataimura, we kept our order at Sanji simple: just yakigyoza and taki-gyoza.

The Suntory draft beer was definitely crisp and refreshing. However, the price felt a bit steep for the surprisingly small serving size, which was a minor letdown.

Taki-gyoza is a Kumamoto-style dish where dumplings are simmered in a rich tonkotsu broth, much like a hot pot. You can even add noodles later!

We did add noodles, and it was delicious – a comforting blend reminiscent of both ramen and kal-guksu (Korean knife-cut noodles)!

While the dishes paired well with beer, I wouldn't say they were mind-blowing. They were solid, dependable choices for a casual meal.

Overall, Sanji felt like a good spot for a quick first round to wet our whistles before moving on.

Next, we tried out the intriguing sake vending machine.

At just ~$1 (approximately 100 yen), it was certainly affordable. However, the serving size was incredibly small, making it difficult to truly appreciate the sake's flavor or aroma. It's more of a fun novelty to experience than a way to genuinely enjoy a drink.

Photo taken when leaving the store. The owner waved goodbye with a bright smile.

The real highlight of our Yataimura visit, however, turned out to be a place called Amakusaya.

It's located right at the very front of Yataimura, directly across from Sanji. Given how hard it was to find any information about it on Google Maps or online, it felt like a newly opened gem!

The drink menu is somewhat understandable with a translator, but the food menu is a bit difficult to decipher!

Amakusaya specializes in straw-grilled dishes. Since the menu was entirely in Japanese, we asked the staff for a recommendation and ordered the assorted meat straw grill.

The dish, priced around ~$19 (approximately 2,980 yen), featured three types of meat – chicken, beef, and tuna – all prepared in a delicious tataki style.

We had a front-row seat to the action, watching them grill the meats over straw right beside our table. It made the waiting time surprisingly entertaining!

The smoky aroma from the straw grilling infused the meats perfectly, and enjoying them with a sprinkle of salt or a slice of ginger was absolutely divine! The owner was incredibly friendly too, making this spontaneous stop one of the most memorable experiences of our entire trip.

📍 Kumamoto Yataimura
2-22 Jotomachi, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto, 860-0846 Japan

If you're planning a visit to Kumamoto Yataimura, don't just stick to the well-known spots. It's worth exploring and letting your instincts guide you to new discoveries.

Especially if you're a fan of grilled meats, I highly recommend making a stop at Amakusaya!