Kumamoto

Low in calories and high in protein, called “Sakura meat” for its beautiful sakura color

Basashi

“Basashi” is a horse meat sashimi dish, eaten with condiments such as sliced onions, grated ginger and garlic, then dipped in sweet soy sauce. This is a popular side dish for drinks. There are several different stories of its origin, and one says that then feudal lord Kiyomasa Kato promoted it in the time of severe food shortage in Higo Kumamoto. You can enjoy a variety of flavors and textures of horse meats from different parts such as harami, futaego, tagegami and akami. There is also a variety of cookings other than sashimi, such as grilled meat, smoked meat, and shabushabu, and it is now enjoyed throughout Japan. Horse meat is also called “Sakura niku (meat)” for its beautiful color similar to Sakura flowers.