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When you think of Kumamoto, horse sashimi (basashi) immediately comes to mind. If you’re visiting the home of this delicacy, you’ll want to try some delicious horse meat dishes.
However, horse meat is rare and the prices are often quite high.
That said, there’s a restaurant in Kumamoto’s bustling Ginza-dori district where you can enjoy horse meat at reasonable prices.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Hours | 5:00 pm - 1:00 am AM (L.O. 0:30) |
| Closed | Open year - round |
| Seating | 107 seats (table seating, horigotatsu) |
| Private rooms | 1 available |
| Phone | 096-321-6107 |
| Access | 3 - minute walk from Hanabatacho tram stop on Kumamoto City Tram |
| Address | Utsunomiya Bldg. 1F, 1 - 9-4 Shimotori, Chuo - ku, Kumamoto 860 - 0807 |
| Website | https://search.daisyo.co.jp/shop.php?shop_cd=1889 |
The Ginza-dori area is Kumamoto’s largest entertainment district, lined with countless restaurants. Among those specializing in horse sashimi and horse meat dishes, Mimura offers some of the lowest prices.
Compared to other horse meat specialty restaurants around Ginza-dori, the pricing is remarkably affordable.
You can choose from three regional styles: Kumamoto-style (with garlic soy sauce), Shinshu-style (with ginger soy sauce), or Aizu-style (with spicy miso).
Mimura is operated by the Daisho Group, a major restaurant chain famous for the nationwide izakaya brand Shoya. In other words, it’s run by a large restaurant corporation.
The chain’s extensive network and purchasing power enable significant volume discounts on ingredients.
This is precisely why the quality remains high despite the low prices—you get delicious basashi without the “cheap means bad” trade-off.
The interior features primarily table seating (for 4-6 people).
On my several visits, the most common guests were groups of friends, ladies’ gatherings, and after-work parties. Couples and families were also present.
Of course, I tried the basashi. This is the Sakura Sashimi Five-Piece Platter (2,300 yen).
The more you chew, the more the umami flavor develops.
It was a satisfying portion for one person. If you plan to order other horse meat dishes, it’s the perfect amount for 3-4 people to share.
Beyond basashi, Mimura offers a variety of horse meat dishes including horse meat yakiniku, horse meat nigiri sushi, horse meat hot pot, and horse meat sukiyaki.
For travelers who want to enjoy basashi in its homeland but keep costs down, Mimura is an excellent choice.
With the cost-effectiveness of a major chain and the diverse menu of a specialty restaurant, it’s well worth a visit when you’re in Kumamoto.
