01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
Located just steps from Kyoto Central Wholesale Market, Totoya pairs a traditional fresh fishmonger at the front with a casual dining space in the back. Customers pass chilled display cases stocked with fillets, blocks of tuna, and prepared side dishes before stepping into a modest room of counter and table seating, where pristine seafood meals are served in an unpretentious atmosphere.
The core of the menu revolves around generous rice bowls and set meals showcasing fish cut with wholesaler precision. The daily sashimi set features a changing selection that often includes lean tuna, white-fleshed fish, and shrimp, accompanied by a rich, dashi-infused red miso soup that pairs naturally with steamed rice. Tuna aficionados have several dedicated choices, ranging from standard maguro don to a tuna 2-color bowl comparing lean akami and medium-fatty chutoro, as well as an otoro bowl for those seeking the melt-in-the-mouth richness of fatty belly.
Beyond raw selections, the kitchen delivers an extensive range of cooked fare. Diners can order breaded tuna cutlet sets with a crisp, crunchy coating, assorted mixed-fry platters, and fried prawns. Tender, broiled eel bowls, crisp tempura of pike conger (hamo), and seared scallops in soy sauce are also available to enjoy alongside a chilled Sapporo Lager or regional sake selections.
From a hearty midday lunch to an early evening drink with seafood bites, the shop welcomes solo diners with ease. Totoya does not accept table reservations, making it a reliable walk-in spot whenever seafood cravings strike, and takeout options such as tuna bowls provide convenient ways to enjoy the market's daily catch.
