A Casual Eel Restaurant in Sakai, Osaka

Honkaku Jiyaki Unagi Kizuna

Tabiiro’s picks: signature dishes

Perfect for a little everyday treat

The most popular signature dish at "Honkaku Jiyaki Unagi Kizuna"

Anticipation Builds Before Opening the "Tamatebako (Tokujo/Deluxe)"

Festive and playful, "Tamatebako (Tokujo/Deluxe)" is the signature dish at "Honkaku Jiyaki Unagi Kizuna." Lifting the lid of the gleaming vessel releases a soft plume of smoke, evoking the surprise and excitement of a legendary treasure box from Japanese folklore. Inside is carefully grilled eel from Aichi Prefecture, accompanied by five colorful side dishes, clear soup, condiments, dashi broth, and pickles for a satisfying meal. The dish comes in two versions, Deluxe and Standard, with different portions of eel. The Deluxe features a whole eel, making it especially substantial. With the excitement of the reveal and the pleasure of the meal itself, it's the restaurant's most popular specialty.

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  Small Side Dishes Featuring Seasonal Ingredients

  The five side dishes always include the staples "Shirayaki" and simmered eel liver, offering eel prepared and seasoned in a variety of ways. The remaining three dishes change depending on the day's ingredients, bringing slightly different flavors with each visit. The beautiful presentation adds to the delight.

Popular pairings

Striking direct-grilled eel

"Whole-Eel Unaju"

"Whole Eel Unaju," featuring an entire eel, is another dish worth ordering. The long rectangular box builds anticipation even before the lid is opened, with the aroma of eel in mind. Inside, the eel is grilled over charcoal without steaming in the jiyaki style, bringing out the savory flavor of its plump flesh. It is a substantial choice for those looking to enjoy a generous serving of eel. Niigata-grown Koshihikari rice pairs well with the slightly sweet secret sauce and the eel itself. Clear soup and pickles are also included, making it a satisfying choice for a meal centered on eel.

Must-try signature dish

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  "Toriju"

  The hearty "Toriju (chicken over rice)" features a whole piece of chicken and offers a substantial meal, making it a good choice for children or those who do not eat eel. It is seasoned with the eel restaurant's secret sauce, whose slightly sweet flavor coats the chicken and rice. The dish is also a popular option for families and other groups dining together.

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  "Shirayaki"

  "Shirayaki" (eel grilled without sauce) lets diners savor the eel's natural flavor. Available in whole-eel and half-eel portions, it is served with wasabi, Siberian rock salt, and sansho pepper tsukudani (sansho pepper simmered in soy sauce). Each accompaniment offers a different taste, allowing diners to appreciate the eel's aroma and umami with every bite. It also pairs particularly well with sake or shochu.

Restaurant highlights

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  A selection of sake, shochu, and other drinks

  Different Ways to Enjoy Dining at Lunch and Dinner

  "Honkaku Jiyaki Unagi Kizuna" is easy to visit for both lunch and dinner. The menu is generally the same throughout the day, with unaju and set meals available to suit different schedules and occasions. In the evening, the selection expands slightly to include more dishes that pair well with sake and shochu, making it possible to enjoy a drink before the eel dishes. The restaurant works equally well for a full meal or for taking time over eel and drinks.

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  "Two-Tier Bento" with unaju and side dishes

  Takeout Specialties Also Recommended as Gifts

  The takeout menu is also extensive and popular for enjoying the restaurant's dishes at home or giving them as a gift. Along with "Unaju <Nami/Regular>, <Jo/Premium>, and <Tokujo/Deluxe>," "Kabayaki <Whole>," and "Shirayaki <Whole>," the menu includes the "Two-Tier Bento," which combines unaju with side dishes. These options also suit a variety of events and special-occasion meals. Authentic eel dishes from the restaurant bring smiles to the table.

Interior

Two spacious sunken-floor tables, each seating six

Spacious table seating with plenty of room

Counter seating that makes solo visits easy

The warm, wood-accented interior features table and counter seating as well as spacious sunken-floor seating. The relaxed, homey setting suits family meals, drinks with friends, and small-group gatherings. Eel dishes and drinks can be enjoyed at an unhurried pace in a comfortable atmosphere.

From the Tabiiro Editorial Team

The signature dish "Tamatebako" adds an element of fun from the moment the lid is opened. Smoke gently rises from the round, charming container, creating a playful presentation. It suits everything from a personal treat to celebrations and small surprises. With its relaxed, homey atmosphere, the restaurant makes special dishes easy to enjoy without formality.