Restaurant Friya
Est. 1933 — 92 years. A venerable western-style restaurant near Wakayama Castle. Signature 'special dovi sauce (demi-glace),' passed down through generations, defines the menu: tongue stew, mince ball steak, beef stew — pure Showa-era western cuisine. Won #1 in both lunch and dinner categories of Wakayama City's 'Extreme Food' citizen poll in 2020. Relocated and renovated in 2024, yet regulars remain loyal. Yahoo Maps 3.91 / 175 reviews.
Reviews say '92 years of history in every drop of dovi sauce — exceptional,' 'the tongue stew is a must-try in Wakayama,' 'classic western cuisine unchanged since forever,' 'the #1 citizen poll win is well-deserved,' 'just as busy since the 2024 relocation,' 'worth the trip from Osaka.'