Aso (Kumamoto)
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5 Exquisite Akaushi Beef Lunch Spots You Must Try in the Aso Area

Akaushi beef, a specialty of Aso, is raised by grazing on the vast grasslands created by the Aso caldera. A type of Japanese Brown cattle, its lean meat has just the right amount of tenderness, is satisfying to eat, and is packed with umami. It is gaining attention for its sweet flavor, low fat content, light and non-greasy texture, and for being healthy and delicious. Here are 5 popular restaurants where you can experience the deliciousness of this Akaushi beef to the fullest for lunch.

The ultimate rice bowl topped luxuriously with thick-cut Akaushi beef

"Akaushi Beef Bowl" (1,780 yen). Daikon radish and potherb mustard are layered between the Akaushi beef and rice, allowing you to enjoy a crunchy texture as well.
"Akaushi Beef Bowl" (1,780 yen). Daikon radish and mizuna greens are layered between the Akaushi beef and rice, allowing you to enjoy a crunchy texture.

This popular eatery in the Uchinomaki Onsen district of Aso City has lines forming every day, regardless of whether it is a weekday or weekend. Everyone's goal is the "Akaushi Beef Bowl." Akaushi thigh meat is grilled in a sweet and spicy soy-based sauce, arranged to fill the bowl like the Aso caldera, and topped with a hot spring egg in the center.
You can enjoy it by mixing in the egg or changing the flavor with "Akaushi beef miso" and wasabi. The moderate tenderness and umami of the Akaushi beef, combined with the sweet and spicy flavor of the sauce, make for an addictive taste. Many people from all over the country visit in search of this bowl, which brings out the maximum deliciousness of Akaushi beef.

A popular diner with over a century of history, now a pioneer of the Akaushi beef bowl

The interior retains the atmosphere of a traditional, old-fashioned diner. The wonderful teamwork of the staff is also a highlight.
The interior retains the charm of a traditional, old-fashioned diner. The wonderful teamwork of the staff is also a highlight.

Founded in 1910, this restaurant has a history of about 110 years, evolving from a catering shop to a popular diner. Originally, Akaushi beef was not eaten in Aso, but the restaurant developed Akaushi menu items for regional revitalization. They started serving the "Akaushi Beef Bowl" in 2005.
It then became a menu item with lines forming every day, starting with its popularity spreading by word of mouth among motorcyclists. They also offer other Akaushi beef dishes such as the "Akaushi Beef Hamburger Steak Set Meal" (1,480 yen). In addition, the "Champon" (780 yen) with Japanese-style dashi broth is also a secretly popular menu item.

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Supporter

This restaurant has lines even on weekdays, so be prepared for a 2-3 hour wait on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Once you register in the order of arrival, there are spots nearby where you can spend your waiting time.

Dining Spot Imakin Shokudo
  • Address290 Uchinomaki, Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
  • AccessApprox. 10 minutes by car from JR Uchinomaki Station
  • Business hours11:00–15:00 Reception
  • ClosedWednesday
  • TEL0967-32-0031
  • ParkingFree
  • NotesParking is available about a 4-minute walk away

A rare Akaushi beef "gyukatsu" (beef cutlet) box, a rarity even in Aso

"Akaushi Beef <Seared> Cutlet Box" (2,420 yen). You can change the soup to "Dago-jiru" for an additional 220 yen.
"Akaushi Beef Cutlet Rice Box" (2,420 yen). You can change the soup to "Dago-jiru" for an additional 220 yen.

At a local cuisine restaurant located in the Monzen-machi shopping street along the approach to Aso Shrine, you can enjoy Akaushi beef dishes that are prepared with great time and care. The signature menu item here is the "Akaushi beef cutlet bowl." The cutlet is lightly breaded and quickly fried to bring out the flavor of the Akaushi beef thigh, then given a final sear, resulting in an exquisite combination of tender, rare flavor, a crispy texture, and a savory aroma.
You can enjoy it with homemade dashi soy sauce or sweet soy sauce to your liking, along with wasabi. Frying a beef cutlet with such a thin coating is technically difficult, making this a special dish you cannot taste anywhere else, and it is a menu item loved by many tourists.

Enjoy a wide variety of Akaushi beef dishes and local Aso cuisine in a Taisho-Roman atmosphere.

Inside the old folk house, a space unfolds, decorated with furnishings inspired by Taisho Roman style.
Inside the old folk house, a space unfolds, decorated with furnishings inspired by Taisho Roman style.

The restaurant previously operated in a traditional folk house built in 1924. Although it was forced to rebuild after being damaged in the Kumamoto earthquake, it now welcomes tourists in a shop overflowing with the atmosphere of the Taisho Roman era.
In addition to the beef cutlet bowl, the menu features Akaushi dishes such as the "Akaushi Beef Bowl" (1,760 yen), "Akaushi Beef Cutlet Curry" (1,650 yen), and "Akaushi Beef Stewed Hamburger Steak Set" (1,815 yen), as well as local cuisine that makes abundant use of fresh ingredients harvested from Aso's rich nature. It is a shop you should definitely visit when paying your respects at Aso Shrine, which is currently in the process of recovering from the earthquake.

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Supporter

We sell specialty processed foods such as "Magic Minced Daikon with Aso Takana!" which goes perfectly with egg-topped rice, and "Aso Pickles" made from Aso vegetables, which are also recommended as souvenirs.

Old Folk House Restaurant Aso Hanabishi
  • Address1861 Miyaji, Ichinomiya-machi, Aso-shi, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
  • AccessAbout a 10-minute walk from JR Miyaji Station
  • Business hours11:00–16:00 (L.O.)
  • ClosedTuesdays
  • TEL0967-22-0896
  • ParkingUse the tourist parking lot (paid)

Juicy Akaushi beef hamburg steak made using a recipe from a chef who trained at a famous hotel.

The luxurious "Akaushi Hamburg Steak & Fried Shrimp" (2,200 yen) features two large head-on shrimp. Japanese-style, cheese-topped, and steak sets are also available.
The luxurious "Akaushi Beef Hamburg Steak & Fried Shrimp" (2,200 yen) features two large head-on shrimp. Japanese-style, cheese-topped, and steak sets are also available.

Founded in 1948, this restaurant was one of the first in Aso to begin serving Akaushi beef about 40 years ago, and you can enjoy dishes using "Aso-o," a brand of Akaushi beef born in Aso. Among them, the specialty is the "Akaushi Hamburger Steak."
This refined hamburger steak, with a recipe developed by a chef from the Imperial Hotel, has a flavor that highlights the juiciness and umami of the gentle Akaushi fat precisely because it is basic. The time-consuming flavors, such as the demi-glace sauce made from stock over four days and the corn soup made from the stage of straining the corn, have been loved for a long time.

Also, keep an eye out for steaks made from rare cuts of Akaushi beef.

The restaurant is located along National Route 57, right in front of JR Miyaji Station. Aso Shrine is also within walking distance, making it easily accessible by both car and train.
The restaurant is located along National Route 57, right in front of JR Miyaji Station. Aso Shrine is also within walking distance, making it easily accessible by both car and train.

Also worth noting is the Akaushi steak, which comes in a wide variety of cuts. It is said that it is rare to find a restaurant where you can eat not only sirloin (200g from 6,400 yen, including set) but also fillet (150g 6,800 yen, including set) and ribeye (150g 6,900 yen, including set) steaks.
In addition, the "Akaushi Curry" (1,400 yen) and "Akaushi Hayashi Rice" (1,400 yen), created from years of experience handling Akaushi, are popular for their refined and careful flavors, and even the "Kids' Lunch" (1,000 yen) uses Akaushi beef. The delicious, old-fashioned, hotel-style Western cuisine is widely loved, with many people visiting across two or three generations.

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Sets come with soup, salad, and rice. The corn soup is exquisite, with a nostalgic flavor that leaves a lasting impression. Also, menu items using pork from Aso's "Yamaton Farm" are secretly popular!

Aso Akaushi Restaurant Fujiya
  • Address4718 Miyaji, Ichinomiya-machi, Aso, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
  • AccessJust a short walk from JR Miyaji Station
  • Business hours11:00–19:00 (L.O.) *15:00 (L.O.) on Wednesdays and Sundays
  • ClosedThursdays
  • TEL0967-22-0166
  • ParkingFree

Carefully selected Akaushi sirloin steak that you will want to take a big bite of.

"Akaushi Sirloin Steak Set" (180g for 2,950 yen [pictured], 110g for 2,100 yen, includes rice, miso soup, and salad). Limited daily quantity, reservations not accepted.
"Akaushi Beef Sirloin Steak Set" (180g 2,950 yen [pictured], 110g 2,100 yen, includes rice, miso soup, and salad). Limited daily quantity; reservations not accepted.

At this popular Akaushi restaurant in the Minamiaso area, many customers line up for numbered tickets on weekends, aiming for the high-impact Akaushi menu. One of the restaurant's signature dishes is the "Akaushi Sirloin Steak." You can enjoy Grade 4 Akaushi sirloin served on a piping hot iron plate.
It has a tender, flavor-rich texture that defies the typical image of Akaushi, and the fat is light and doesn't sit heavy in your stomach, so you can easily finish 180g. This deliciousness is only possible because of the carefully selected Akaushi beef.

The "Mega Akaushi Beef Bowl," which generously uses rare cuts, is also a specialty.

The interior offers floor-to-ceiling views of the lush, natural scenery of Oku-Aso. The spacious layout makes it easy to use with strollers or wheelchairs.
The interior offers windows filled with views of the lush, natural scenery of Oku-Aso. The spacious layout makes it easy to use with strollers or wheelchairs.

Another specialty of the restaurant is the "Whimsical Mega Akaushi Bowl" (2,100 yen, limited quantity). It features a "whimsical" 1.5 times the usual portion of Grade 3 or higher aitchbone, rump, round, and thigh meat, and its volume, which is served at a loss, is its main attraction (a regular-sized "Whimsical Akaushi Bowl" is also available for 1,800 yen).
For all menu items, they are thoroughly committed to the freshness and quality of the Akaushi beef, to the point where they may even close suddenly on days when they cannot procure meat that meets their standards. That uncompromising deliciousness has spread through word of mouth, drawing many people to the Oku-Aso region.

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Supporter

Both the "Akaushi Sirloin Steak Set" and the "Whimsical Mega Akaushi Beef Bowl" are available only while supplies last, and can sell out in as little as an hour. If you want to be sure to eat them, we recommend arriving early.

Akaushi Specialty Restaurant Yamayasu
  • Address3191 Takamori, Takamori-machi, Aso-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
  • AccessApprox. 60 minutes by car from the Mashiki-Kumamoto Airport IC on the Kyushu Expressway
  • Business hours11:00–14:30 reception (numbered tickets distributed from 10:00)
  • ClosedWednesdays (may close suddenly depending on stock, so please check our SNS)
  • TEL0967-62-0888
  • ParkingFree
  • NotesNo reservations

Enjoy high-quality Akaushi beef from contracted farmers as yakiniku.

"Akaushi no Yakata Set <for 2 people>" (6,580 yen). It comes with a variety of items and is very satisfying.
"Akaushi no Yakata Set " (6,580 yen). It comes with a variety of items and is very satisfying.

At the yakiniku restaurant adjacent to "Michi-no-Eki Asobo no Sato Kugino," you can enjoy Akaushi beef yakiniku. They carefully select and source safe and reliably raised Akaushi beef from eight contracted farmers in Minamiaso, offering high-quality meat that is tender with a light, non-greasy fat.
While you can order by individual cut, set menus like the "Akaushi no Yakata Set," which includes premium loin, premium kalbi, and premium round, are a great value as they come with rice, kimchi, dessert, and access to the salad bar. Being a specialty Akaushi restaurant, they also offer rare cuts like offal.

There is an attached butcher shop specializing in Akaushi beef. Take some Akaushi beef home with you.

The panoramic view overlooking the Five Peaks of Aso is truly impressive.
The panoramic view overlooking the Five Peaks of Aso is breathtaking.

The restaurant also offers an appealing range of menus to fully enjoy Akaushi beef, such as set meals like the "Sirloin Steak Set Meal" (4,210 yen) and the value-priced weekday-only "Akaushi Beef Off-cut Yakiniku Bowl" (1,760 yen, limited quantity).
Furthermore, there is an Akaushi butcher shop attached to the restaurant, where you can purchase Akaushi beef to take home or as a souvenir (shipping is also available). Because it is shipped directly from contracted farmers, you may even find rare cuts like tongue that are hard to get elsewhere. After experiencing the charm of Akaushi beef, taking its delicious taste home with you makes for a wonderful memory.

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Supporter

"Michi-no-Eki Asobo-no-Sato Kugino," which features an attached restaurant, is a place well-equipped with facilities such as a local products shop, dining areas, a handmade soba noodle experience facility, a vast lawn plaza, and a dog run. It is a spot that can serve as a base for sightseeing in Minamiaso!

Akaushi no Yakata
  • Address2815 Hisaishi, Minamiaso-mura, Aso-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
  • AccessApprox. 35 minutes by car from the Mashiki-Kumamoto Airport IC on the Kyushu Expressway
  • Business hours11:00–17:00 (16:00 L.O.)
    *Meat sales are from 10:00–17:00
  • ClosedIrregular holidays
  • TEL0967-67-0848
  • ParkingFree
*The information provided is current as of the date of the article's update. Please check in advance as it may be subject to change.