CAFE USEUM ARITA (カフェ ユージアムアリタ), the vegan café inside the Kyushu Ceramic Cultural Museum (九州陶磁文化館) in Arita Town, Saga Prefecture, has introduced a new menu item: the "Kyuto Vegan Lunch Set" (九陶ヴィーガンランチセット), featuring locally sourced ingredients with a focus on plant-based cuisine served in beautiful Arita ware.
Crafting the Thoughts of Many Producers in a Single Dish
The appeal of the new "Kyuto Vegan Lunch Set" lies in its ability to offer both mindful vegan cuisine and beautiful ceramics in one casual experience. The set brings together ingredients, vessels, and cooking — all carrying the spirit of producers centered in Saga and Arita. Local ingredients nurtured by Saga's land and Arita ware pottery born from that same earth come together on a single plate.
The set consists of a main dish, dessert, and drink — each chosen according to your mood and preference on the day.
Menu
■ Kyuto Vegan Lunch Set (A + B + C): ¥2,800
■ Dessert Set (B + C): ¥1,400
A: Choice of Spice Curry or Soy Milk Tantanmen Noodles (cold or hot) ※ Add rice for ¥200
B: Choice of Dessert (1 of 6 options)
- Arita Godofu Japanese-style Parfait
- Chocolate Kabocha Terrine
- Lemon Cake from 〈Mori no Kajuen〉
- Ureshino Tea Tiramisu
- Today's Housemade Ice Cream (double)
- Affogato (matcha or espresso)
C: Choice of Beverage
Options include French press coffee, oat milk latte, craft lemonade from 〈Takino Lemon〉, 100% Saga-grown mandarin orange juice, natural cultivation tea from 〈Ahahino〉, and seasonal herb tea from 〈Kawakubo Farm〉.
※ Food menu available from 11:00 AM. ※ All prices include tax.
A: Vegan Spice Curry
A mushroom-packed spice curry using 〈Manten Kikurage〉 wood ear mushrooms grown in Arita, Saga Prefecture, and Arita terraced rice. Served with quinoa salad.
A: Vegan Soy Milk Tantanmen Noodles
An authentic-style tantanmen featuring additive-free, domestically sourced soy meat from 〈LOVEG〉 and a tare sauce made with naturally aged barrel soy sauce. The rich aroma and umami of sesame spread across the palate. ※ Available cold or hot; spice level can be adjusted.
B: Today's Housemade Ice Cream with Kiku-Neri Cookie
Housemade craft ice cream with a soy milk base, in seasonal flavors that highlight the natural taste of each ingredient. ※ Limited-time. ※ Takeout available. ※ Please ask staff for the flavor of the day.
B: Ureshino Matcha Affogato / Espresso Affogato
Matcha affogato using natural cultivation tea from 〈Ahahino〉 in Ureshino City — rich matcha that brings out the sweetness of the ice cream.
The espresso affogato uses beans from 〈Have a nice coffee.〉 Saga Roastery and housemade ice cream for a bittersweet combination. ※ Limited-time. ※ Takeout available.
Making "Kyuto Lunch" a Local Staple
The "Kyuto" (九陶) in the name of the lunch set is the affectionate nickname locals have long used for the Kyushu Ceramic Cultural Museum. The name was chosen with the hope that it would become a signature dish of this place — something visitors think of when they visit.
The Kyushu Ceramic Cultural Museum houses exhibits of Edo-period Imari ware and ancient ceramics from across Kyushu, drawing visitors from around the world. During Golden Week, the surrounding area hosts the "Arita Pottery Fair" (有田陶器市), one of the town's signature events, welcoming large crowds from Japan and abroad.
CAFE USEUM ARITA describes itself as "a place to connect ceramics, cuisine, and people." The experience of leisurely enjoying regional ingredients from fine pottery — then heading out into Arita — makes the café a fitting base for exploring the town's many charms.
The café interior draws inspiration from the beautiful white porcelain and vivid blue (gosu) of Arita ware.
Executive Chef 髙岡 盛志郎
Born in Saga City, Takaoka trained in Japanese cuisine at a ryotei restaurant before traveling to the United States in 2004. He worked for six years in California, including a stint influenced by the renowned restaurant Chez Panisse. After returning to Japan, he opened "TIMER CALIFORNIA KITCHEN" in Saga City. He moved to Arita Town in 2019, where he established "TIMER no Yado" and, in December 2022, the vegetarian café "Maki no Yado Kara." He was appointed Executive Chef of CAFE USEUM ARITA in February 2026.
Shop Information
Name: CAFE USEUM ARITA (カフェ ユージアムアリタ)
Address: 3F, Saga Prefectural Kyushu Ceramic Cultural Museum, 3100-1 Toshakuoto, Arita-cho, Nishimatsuura-gun, Saga Prefecture
Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Food L.O. 4:00 PM / Dessert & Drink L.O. 4:30 PM)
Closed: Mondays (if a public holiday, open that day and closed the following day; temporary closures announced on SNS)
Seats: 32
Website: https://cafe-useumarita.jp/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cafe_useum_arita/
