Totoya (十十八 ) is located in the northern part of Fukui Prefecture at the entrance to Takayanagi Town (高柳町). Almost the whole restaurant is filled with locals. It is so popular in fact that the owner doesn't bother with advertising an address nor have a phone number to call. It is rare to have first timers come.
Seats are filled as soon as the Totoya opens at 5 in the evening. If you see an open seat, it is undoubtedly reserved. It was a miracle there was an open seat when I walked in for a visit. Their secret of success is food that is cheap, delicious, delivered fast, and comes in big portions.
''Toto'' is a word relating to fish. The father of the proprietress ran a fish market at the curent restaurant for forty years. It was decided to honor that history by including the word ''toto'' and specialize in fish dishes.
It is regrettable to mention that smoking is OK anywhere in the restaurant, so some younger visitors may not be comfortable.
