Totoya is a welcoming yakitori restaurant at 2-5 Chuocho, Kagoshima, centered on charcoal-style grilled skewers and carefully prepared Japanese izakaya dishes. The menu ranges from chicken and pork skewers to fresh salads, fried dishes, tofu, vegetables, and satisfying sharing plates, accompanied by a selection of beverages. Popular choices include tender Pork Cartilage, Akadori Chicken Thigh, Tsukune, and Pork Belly, while set courses combine appetizers, chicken dishes, salads, skewers, and fried specialties for groups. Individual skewers are generally affordable, with examples around ¥130-¥300, while the restaurant’s current banquet courses are listed from ¥4,500, offering good value for their variety and generous format.
Fresh ingredients and careful grilling give the skewers a satisfying contrast between lightly charred exteriors and juicy centers. Vegetable skewers and salads provide lighter choices, although diners with vegetarian, gluten-free, or other dietary requirements should confirm ingredients with staff. Totoya is primarily an evening destination, operating from 18:00, making it better suited to dinner, casual gatherings, and group meals than breakfast or lunch.
Menu Highlights
Pork Cartilage (豚ナンコツ) - Slow-cooked or grilled for an unusually tender texture, this ¥280 specialty is particularly well regarded by diners.
Akadori Chicken Thigh (赤鶏もも) - Juicy chicken grilled on a skewer delivers rich savory flavor with an appealing roasted finish.
Tsukune (つくね) - A classic chicken meatball skewer with a tender, springy texture and deeply savory character.
Pork Belly (豚バラ) - Rich, juicy pork becomes deliciously aromatic on the grill, balancing succulent fat with lightly charred edges.
Shiitake Mushroom (椎茸) - Grilling concentrates the mushroom’s natural umami while keeping its center pleasantly juicy.
Chicken Karaage - Crisp fried chicken provides a satisfying contrast of crunchy coating and tender meat and is included in Totoya’s banquet-course lineup.
