Bodai

Bodai is an izakaya close to Kii-Katsuura Station that treats the town’s tuna as a starting point for both familiar and more inventive plates. The regional tourism association highlights raw-tuna sashimi and the house’s medium-fat tuna cutlet: the fish is breaded and fried, so the centre remains tender while the outside turns crisp. The menu also draws on seasonal ingredients and vegetables sourced directly from local growers, giving the restaurant a broader Kumano identity than a single signature dish.

The restaurant’s central location makes it a practical choice after arriving by train or returning from the port. The official tourism listing gives a 15-second walk from the station, the address 5-1-3 Tsukiji and split lunch and dinner service. Lunch runs 11 am–2 pm, with last order at 1:30 pm; dinner is listed as 5 pm–10:30 pm, last order 10 pm, and Tuesday as the weekly closing day. Three parking spaces are listed for evening use only. Check the current shop page before planning around dinner, as seasonal and one-off changes can affect service.

Public diners often single out the contrast between raw sashimi and the fried chu-toro cutlet, along with the range of tuna set meals. Some comments praise the welcome and careful use of local ingredients; others caution that a quality seafood meal may cost more than a quick market bowl, and popular periods can be busy. The appeal is the choice between raw, fried and seasonal preparations at a seated restaurant, rather than the market’s counter-by-counter browsing. It is worth scanning the menu before ordering if you are comparing portion size and price.

Bodai stands at 5-1-3 Tsukiji, a few steps from Kii-Katsuura Station and within walking distance of the fishing port and Nigiwai Market. The local tourism association lists its telephone number, hours, menu focus and limited evening parking; its entry also links to the restaurant’s own site. For a focused tuna lunch, arrive before the 1:30 pm last order; for dinner, leave room for the cutlet as well as sashimi and check whether the restaurant is open on your travel date. Travellers wanting a market atmosphere can eat at Nigiwai instead, while Bodai suits a slower, seated meal with more varied preparations.