Basashi — raw horse meat served as sashimi — is Kumamoto’s most iconic local delicacy, and the prefecture is Japan’s foremost region for it. Thinly sliced fresh horse meat is served raw, like fish sashimi, and eaten dipped in a sweet soy sauce with grated ginger, garlic and spring onion. Far from gamey, good basashi is prized for being lean, subtly sweet, clean-tasting and surprisingly tender, with different cuts offering different textures — from lean red meat (akami) to richly marbled ‘toro’ cuts that melt in the mouth. Once eaten to make use of horses, it evolved into a refined regional speciality, and today is a point of local pride served at izakaya, specialist restaurants and even as basashi sushi or croquettes. Adventurous eaters shouldn’t miss it: trying basashi is one of the quintessential food experiences of a visit to Kumamoto.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Kumamoto City |
| Hours | Restaurant/izakaya hours |
| Admission | Varies by cut/portion |
| Time needed | A meal or dish |
| Best time | Year-round |
What to Try
- Fresh raw horse-meat sashimi (basashi).
- Lean red meat (akami) and marbled melt-in-mouth ‘toro’.
- Sweet soy with ginger, garlic and spring onion.
- Basashi sushi and croquettes as variations.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with Kumamoto ramen for a local feast.
- Pair with Kumamoto Castle in the city.
- Read our Kumamoto overview .
Getting There
- On foot: izakaya and specialist shops in central Kumamoto.
- By tram: central stops near the dining streets.
Tips
Try a variety platter to compare the leaner akami and the richly marbled ‘toro’ cuts, and eat it dipped in the sweet soy with plenty of ginger and garlic. Go to a specialist restaurant or izakaya for the freshest quality, be reassured it’s a clean, mild-tasting delicacy rather than gamey, and pair it with a bowl of Kumamoto ramen.
