JPN: Obento No Hirai (おべんとうのヒライ)
Grab your Kumamon lunch box!
Before leaving Kumamoto for Huis Ten Bosch, an unusual theme park in Japan that's a recreation of a Dutch town, my BFFs and I decided to buy lunch boxes to eat onboard the bullet train to Shin-Tosu railway station. We purchased some from Obento No Hirai at Higo Yokamon Ichiba, a shopping area directly connected to Kumamoto railway station.
The actual name of the dish is チキン南蛮弁当. I found the meal featuring not only a sizeable portion of deep-fried chicken with tartar sauce, but also a fish fillet to be value-for-money. While the tartar sauce could be creamier, it was decent. Besides pickled yellow radish, there were also burdock slices as a side dish.
The actual name of the dish is うな丼. Being the most expensive meal purchased that afternoon, the grilled freshwater eel was pretty good. Slathered with brown sauce that was sweet and salty at the same time, the eel was tender enough for my liking. Accompanying it were sweet omelette pieces and pickles.
Before leaving Kumamoto for Huis Ten Bosch, an unusual theme park in Japan that's a recreation of a Dutch town, my BFFs and I decided to buy lunch boxes to eat onboard the bullet train to Shin-Tosu railway station. We purchased some from Obento No Hirai at Higo Yokamon Ichiba, a shopping area directly connected to Kumamoto railway station.
Kumamon Bento ¥740 (~S$9.30)
Taste: 7/10
The actual name of the dish is くまもんBOX弁当. Apart from the items that'd especially appeal to kids, I found the ikinari dango (Japanese rice flour dumpling filled with sweet potato and red bean paste) to be enjoyably chewy with the right degree of sweetness. FYI, ikinari dango is one of Kumamoto's specialties. Pika's advice: I believe many people purchase this adorable-looking meal to keep the box, including myself. Don't hesitate while you're in Kumamoto!
The relatively big-sized rice ball filled with seasoned kelp strips wasn't too shabby. I found the rice to be adequately fluffy.
Chicken Nanban Bento ¥480 (~S$6.05)
Taste: 7/10
The actual name of the dish is チキン南蛮弁当. I found the meal featuring not only a sizeable portion of deep-fried chicken with tartar sauce, but also a fish fillet to be value-for-money. While the tartar sauce could be creamier, it was decent. Besides pickled yellow radish, there were also burdock slices as a side dish.
Unagi Don ¥1,204 (~S$15.15)
Taste: 7.5/10
The actual name of the dish is うな丼. Being the most expensive meal purchased that afternoon, the grilled freshwater eel was pretty good. Slathered with brown sauce that was sweet and salty at the same time, the eel was tender enough for my liking. Accompanying it were sweet omelette pieces and pickles.
Melon's Rating
Taste: 7/10
There are many different varieties available at the shop, so do take some time to look through the selections before deciding which one(s) to get.
Obento No Hirai
(おべんとうのヒライ)
3-15-30 Kasuga
1/F Higo Yokamon Ichiba
1/F Higo Yokamon Ichiba
Nishi, Kumamoto
Japan
(Daily: 8.00am - 9.00pm)
*Prices quoted are subject to 8% VAT.
Have a nice meal,
Cliff(y)
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