Oden Matsumura

Oden is a popular winter dish throughout Japan, made by stewing ingredients for a long time in a rich, thin broth. The dish is sold everywhere, but you won’t often find an oden restaurant with a Michelin star! Oden Matsumura in Kumamoto is one such place, and a fair cut above the standard oden shop. Here, you’ll enjoy this classic dish in the dignified-but-entertaining kappo style, meaning you’ll watch a skilled chef whip up dish after dish right across the counter from you. Matsumara-san is an expert on the winter dish, having spent time training at the famous shop Kagaman in Osaka. There are over 20 styles of oden available — even lotus root and whale tongue! These feature alongside other delicious kappo dishes which break up the meal of grilled dishes, sashimi, and premium beef. At the end, you’ll enjoy the signature dish — a kettle of rice drenched in the rich oden broth. If that doesn’t sound warming enough for you, there’s also a selection of sake from all over the country to finish the job.