Eel is delicious and good for the body, and it's a waste to just eat it on the Saturday of the Ox or as a measure against summer fatigue. There are famous eel restaurants all over the country, and you can find some delicious eel dishes. In addition to dishes such as kabayaki and hitsumabushi, we will introduce trivia about eel and how to enjoy it.
When you hear about eel dishes, the first thing that comes to mind is ``kabayaki.'' Shirayaki is grilled directly without adding any seasonings or sauces, and is further grilled with a sauce made from soy sauce, sugar, and mirin. The difference is that in the Kanto region, Shirayaki is steamed and then kabayaki, while in the Kansai region, it is not steamed but kabayaki.
Hitsumabushi is a dish of chopped eel kabayaki placed on top of rice. It is known as a Nagoya specialty. First, taste it as is, then add condiments such as green onions and wasabi. At the end, you can enjoy it in a variety of ways, such as adding the soup stock that comes with it and making it ochazuke style.
Shirayaki, which is grilled eel without sauce, is characterized by its light taste and texture. You can enjoy the original flavor and aroma of eel better than kabayaki. We recommend eating it simply with salt, soy sauce, wasabi, yuzu pepper, etc.
A vinegared dish made with finely cut grilled eel and thinly sliced cucumber. The richness of the eel and the sourness of the vinegar are a perfect balance, making it easy to eat. At eel specialty restaurants, it is a standard menu item along with ``Umaki,'' an omelette stuffed with eel, and is also a popular dish as an accompaniment to alcohol.
Eel is often thought to be in season in summer because of the ``Doyou no Ushi no Hi'' (Doyou no Ushi no Hi). Delicious farmed eel can be eaten all year round, but wild eel is in season from autumn to winter, when eel accumulates fat in preparation for hibernation.
There are famous eel producing areas all over Japan, and there are many famous restaurants that serve delicious eel dishes. Particularly famous areas include Shizuoka Prefecture, Kagoshima Prefecture, Aichi Prefecture, Miyazaki Prefecture, and Kochi Prefecture.
Japanese pepper is often eaten with kabayaki, and it is said that not only does the refreshing spiciness bring out the deliciousness of the eel, but also that the antibacterial properties of Japanese pepper are good for preventing food poisoning.
When you hear about eel dishes, the first thing that comes to mind is ``kabayaki.'' Shirayaki is grilled directly without adding any seasonings or sauces, and is further grilled with a sauce made from soy sauce, sugar, and mirin. The difference is that in the Kanto region, Shirayaki is steamed and then kabayaki, while in the Kansai region, it is not steamed but kabayaki.
Hitsumabushi is a dish of chopped eel kabayaki placed on top of rice. It is known as a Nagoya specialty. First, taste it as is, then add condiments such as green onions and wasabi. At the end, you can enjoy it in a variety of ways, such as adding the soup stock that comes with it and making it ochazuke style.
Shirayaki, which is grilled eel without sauce, is characterized by its light taste and texture. You can enjoy the original flavor and aroma of eel better than kabayaki. We recommend eating it simply with salt, soy sauce, wasabi, yuzu pepper, etc.
A vinegared dish made with finely cut grilled eel and thinly sliced cucumber. The richness of the eel and the sourness of the vinegar are a perfect balance, making it easy to eat. At eel specialty restaurants, it is a standard menu item along with ``Umaki,'' an omelette stuffed with eel, and is also a popular dish as an accompaniment to alcohol.
Eel is often thought to be in season in summer because of the ``Doyou no Ushi no Hi'' (Doyou no Ushi no Hi). Delicious farmed eel can be eaten all year round, but wild eel is in season from autumn to winter, when eel accumulates fat in preparation for hibernation.
There are famous eel producing areas all over Japan, and there are many famous restaurants that serve delicious eel dishes. Particularly famous areas include Shizuoka Prefecture, Kagoshima Prefecture, Aichi Prefecture, Miyazaki Prefecture, and Kochi Prefecture.
Japanese pepper is often eaten with kabayaki, and it is said that not only does the refreshing spiciness bring out the deliciousness of the eel, but also that the antibacterial properties of Japanese pepper are good for preventing food poisoning.
As the word ``eel streamer'' suggests, eel dishes have long been popular in Japan as an auspicious delicacy, and are the perfect food to decorate important occasions, hospitality, and important anniversaries. In addition to areas famous for producing eel, there are long-established and famous eel restaurants in major cities such as Tokyo and Osaka, which have been chosen for entertaining and anniversaries. It is rare to find a restaurant that sells rare wild eel, making it even more special.
Saitama
Try This Specially Prepared Unaju in a Sophisticated Restaurant
"Unagidokoro Koga" is a Western-style restaurant located in Tokiwa, Urawa Ward, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture. It is particularly popular among female diners for its easy accessibility. The restaurant specializes in authentic Edomae-style grilled eel, a skill that the owner has honed over many years. The owner carefully selects high-quality eel, grills it using traditional techniques, and serves it in a sophisticated and relaxing atmosphere. The unaju, which is renowned for both its taste and presentation, has garnered acclaim in the media, making this restaurant suitable for a variety of occasions, from family meals to girls' nights out.
Osaka
The Kansai Main Restaurant That Preserves the Culture of Eating Pufferfish
This is the original and flagship restaurant of a pufferfish specialty restaurant in Kansai Area with multiple locations both in Japan and overseas. The restaurant is approximately a 2-minute walk from Namba Station on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line, and its large signboard will catch your eye. Highly regarded in Osaka, the city with the highest pufferfish consumption in Japan, the restaurant offers premium pufferfish year-round. While casual courses are available, a highlight is the course featuring over 3 kg of wild Japanese tiger pufferfish shipped directly from Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. The firm texture and profound flavor unique to wild-caught fish are truly exceptional. From April to October, a variety of plump, fatty eel dishes are also available for a limited time.
Saitama
Savor the "Spirit of Hospitality" With the Cuisine of a Long-Established Restaurant
"Omiya Isekin" was founded in 1881 in front of the gates of "Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrine". Now located about an 8-minute walk from JR, Tobu Railway, and Saitama New Urban Transit Omiya Station, this renowned kaiseki restaurant preserves the traditions of its long-established roots. Seasonal ingredients are prepared by skilled chefs who carefully highlight their colors, shapes, aromas, and natural flavors, resulting in delicately seasoned yet deeply satisfying dishes, all served with heartfelt hospitality. With a rich history of hosting celebratory occasions, the restaurant also offers a unique Isekin-style engagement ceremony that combines the formal ritual with a banquet. Relax and enjoy refined kaiseki cuisine in a serene setting steeped in traditional Japanese elegance.
Ibaraki
Authentic Japanese Cuisine Made With Seasonal Ingredients
This long-established Japanese restaurant in Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture, has a history of over 80 years. Reservations are required and guests can enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine made with seasonal ingredients from Ibaraki, including "Hitachi beef," monkfish, and eel. The relaxing atmosphere of all private rooms makes it ideal for special occasions such as celebrations and anniversaries. Enjoy the traditions and seasonal flavors of Ibaraki to the fullest, along with the generous hospitality that creates a luxurious experience and the exquisite dishes that showcase the skill of our artisans.
Search for Restaurants Where You Can Eat Eel for Entertainment or Anniversaries by Area
Although eel is known as a luxury ingredient, it was a dish loved by common people during the Edo period. Even now, in areas famous for eel and in downtown areas, there are restaurants where you can casually stop by and enjoy eel such as umaki, uzaku, and shirayaki, allowing you to experience the food culture that has been alive since ancient times. There are also restaurants that specialize in ``unagi skewers,'' in which each part of the eel is skewered and grilled. It tastes like yakitori and can be enjoyed as an inexpensive accompaniment to alcohol.
Kyoto
Enjoy Kansai-Style Charcoal-Grilled Domestic Eel
This eel specialty restaurant is located just a 1-minute walk from JR Saga-Arashiyama Station, making it a convenient stop during your visit to Arashiyama. Housed in a traditional Kyoto machiya townhouse that honors its historic charm, the restaurant offers a tranquil atmosphere—perfect for both sightseeing breaks and special occasions. The dishes feature carefully selected, high-quality Japanese eel, expertly grilled by skilled chefs using Kansai-style techniques. The result is crispy skin, thick, tender flesh, and the irresistible aroma of charcoal grilling that enhances every bite. The rice is a premium Koshihikari variety specially prepared by Hachidaime Gihey, a well-known rice purveyor in Kyoto. The menu includes classics like Shirayaki (grilled without sauce), Kabayaki (grilled with sauce), Unaju (eel over rice), and Hitsumabushi, as well as a unique "Unagyuju"—a savory combination of Japanese eel and domestic beef. It’s a must-visit for eel lovers.
Osaka
High-Quality Grilled Eel at a Reasonable Price
Opened in July 2024, this eel restaurant is located approximately a 5-minute walk from Terachimachi Station on the Hankai Electric Railway. The owner, who has long supplied eel to department stores throughout Osaka Prefecture, is known for offering high-quality eel at reasonable prices. The signature kabayaki (grilled eel with sauce) is prepared with great care over two days before serving. Inside, the space features a stylish ash beige interior, yet maintains a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere - reminiscent of a casual diner - reflecting the owner's warm and welcoming personality and "desire to make delicious eel more accessible".
Hyogo
A Sommelier’s Take on Wine and Traditional Japanese Dishes
Just a 17-minute walk from JR Kakogawa Station, Shun Ryori Rindō is a Japanese restaurant that highlights locally sourced ingredients, paired with carefully selected sake and wine. In 2017, the owner became the first Japanese recipient of a Gold Diploma in the international sommelier qualification exam, "International A.S.I. Sommelier Diploma", held by the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI), and has since achieved a refined harmony between Japanese cuisine and wine. As both chef and sommelier, the owner is also able to craft courses that complement wine pairings. When it comes to sake, the focus is on local brews that match beautifully with the region’s seasonal ingredients.
Mie
Charcoal-Grilled Eel That Has Been Loved Locally for Over 50 Years
"Taikantei" has been operating for over 50 years in Tsu City, Mie , where the food culture of eating eel on a daily basis is deeply rooted, and is loved by many people, especially locals. The fourth store, "Taikantei Misato", run by the owner who is the grandson of the founder, is located in an area rich in nature and has a calm atmosphere in an old folk house-style building. A popular menu item is "Unaju", made with eel purchased directly from Nagoya that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The owner, who has been trained for many years, carefully grills the meat on a charcoal grill.
Search for Restaurants Where You Can Casually Eat Eel by Area
Eel restaurants are loved by a wide range of generations, from children to adults to the elderly, and have been used since ancient times for gatherings of families and relatives, such as meals on the day of the ox. Perhaps for this reason, there are many restaurants where families can enjoy meals together. If you have a private room, you can eat with your family without having to worry about people watching you, and if you have a tatami room, you can feel safe even if you have a baby or small child with you. When you travel with your family to an area famous for eel production, be sure to try it.
Shizuoka
An Eel Specialty Store in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Where You Can Enjoy a Spectacular View
An eel specialty store located on the 18th floor of Hotel Concorde Hamamatsu, which stands near Hamamatsu Castle in Shizuoka . The eel from Lake Hamana, which is thick, fatty, and of consistent quality, is carefully grilled to create a fluffy texture on the inside and a crispy exterior. The sauce, inherited from the recipe of Hotel Kokonoe, a luxury inn that closed in 2021, is sweet and rich, and pairs perfectly with the sticky, flavorful rice made with Koshihikari rice grown locally in Hamamatsu City. It's also nice to have a selection of local sake carefully selected by the sake master. In addition to table seats, there are private rooms, so it is recommended for anniversaries and get-togethers.
Hyogo
A Sommelier’s Take on Wine and Traditional Japanese Dishes
Just a 17-minute walk from JR Kakogawa Station, Shun Ryori Rindō is a Japanese restaurant that highlights locally sourced ingredients, paired with carefully selected sake and wine. In 2017, the owner became the first Japanese recipient of a Gold Diploma in the international sommelier qualification exam, "International A.S.I. Sommelier Diploma", held by the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI), and has since achieved a refined harmony between Japanese cuisine and wine. As both chef and sommelier, the owner is also able to craft courses that complement wine pairings. When it comes to sake, the focus is on local brews that match beautifully with the region’s seasonal ingredients.
Niigata
Offering Delicious Dishes Made with Carefully Selected Ingredients
"Sakeyama Masuo Shop" is a Japanese dining restaurant in Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture, owned by a salmon sales professional. The restaurant offers a wide variety of set meals, bento boxes, and takeout items, focusing on their carefully selected salmon. While the restaurant initially attracted a more mature clientele, in recent years, it has become popular with younger diners as well, thanks to the growing health-conscious trend. The most popular dish is the "large cut silver salmon set meal." Other popular dishes include the "king salmon set meal," with thick cuts of fish that stand tall, and the "large cut silver cod set meal," which pairs perfectly with Uonuma "Koshihikari" rice. In addition to fish, the menu features local Niigata pork and fresh vegetables, allowing them to enjoy the authentic "taste of Niigata."
Kyoto
Enjoy the Seasonal Scenery Along the Kamo-gawa River
This long-established Japanese restaurant is located in an alley in Pontocho, Kyoto. Its tasteful appearance blends in with the historic streetscape, further enhancing the atmosphere of its customers. Taking advantage of its location along the Kamo-gawa River, the restaurant offers a riverside terrace from May to September, allowing customers to enjoy their meal while feeling the cool breeze. The restaurant offers a wide variety of Japanese dishes, including eel dishes, which have been on offer since the restaurant's founding, as well as Kyoto kaiseki and sukiyaki. The restaurant is renowned for its delicate flavors that make the most of the ingredients' natural taste. In addition to tatami rooms, the restaurant also has private rooms with table seating, making it suitable for a wide range of occasions, including entertaining, business meetings, and family meals. It is also close to Shijo Kawaramachi and Gion, making it an easy place to stop by in between sightseeing.
Search for Family-Friendly Restaurants Serving Eel, Categorized by Area
Even if you go to a well-known or long-established restaurant that is difficult to enter at night, for lunch you may be able to enjoy eel rice bowls, eel bowls, hitsumabushi, etc. at relatively reasonable prices. The eel is slowly grilled over charcoal with a secret sauce that has been passed down over time. There is no doubt that you will feel happy when you eat it. Recommended when you want to have a luxurious meal with friends, or when you want to recharge for work in the afternoon.
Shizuoka
Hamamatsu City Eel, Fluffy and Grilled in the Kanto Style
An eel restaurant founded in 1966 in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka . The eel, grilled plumply in the Kanto style with a sauce perfected over more than half a century, is a masterpiece befitting Hamamatsu City's specialty. A beautiful Japanese garden sprawls across the premises, offering a luxurious experience that helps to forget daily stress. Guests can savor the exquisite eel while admiring the seasonal beauty of nature. The restaurant features 125 seats—including table and tatami seating—and a spacious parking lot, making it a popular stop on sightseeing tours. Private rooms are available to accommodate a wide range of occasions such as memorial services, banquets, and dinners with loved ones. A comprehensive take-out menu further enhances the appeal of this establishment.
Gifu
A Restaurant Where Families Can Enjoy Meals Together With Smiles
Located in Takayama City, Gifu, with views of the Northern Alps, "Gyosai, a Japanese Restaurant" offers a full taste of the Hida Takayama region’s rich bounty. In addition to fresh seasonal seafood and its signature eel dishes, the restaurant features a variety of menu items made with "Hida Beef." The retro interior evokes a sense of nostalgia and calm, creating a relaxed setting that welcomes guests of all ages. It is a place where grandparents and grandchildren often share precious moments together. Thoughtful details such as a ramp at the entrance reflect the restaurant’s commitment to accessibility. With approximately 140 seats in total, the restaurant accommodates everything from intimate gatherings to large groups.
Kyoto
Eel, Wagyu, and Apple Pie Specialties
"Eel and Apple Pie Yasaka 1646" stands in front of the stone torii gate of Yasaka Shrine, a popular tourist spot in Kyoto. The first floor of the storehouse-style building sells apple pies, while the second floor is an eat-in space where you can enjoy dishes made with eel and Wagyu beef while looking out at the stone torii gate and Higashi Otani approach. The thick-cut Miyazaki eel is slowly grilled over charcoal with a special sauce made from apple syrup - produced during the making of apple pie - and is said to pair well with the crisp texture of the pie. Takeout is available for some items, and menus are offered in multiple languages including English.
Osaka
The Kansai Main Restaurant That Preserves the Culture of Eating Pufferfish
This is the original and flagship restaurant of a pufferfish specialty restaurant in Kansai Area with multiple locations both in Japan and overseas. The restaurant is approximately a 2-minute walk from Namba Station on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line, and its large signboard will catch your eye. Highly regarded in Osaka, the city with the highest pufferfish consumption in Japan, the restaurant offers premium pufferfish year-round. While casual courses are available, a highlight is the course featuring over 3 kg of wild Japanese tiger pufferfish shipped directly from Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. The firm texture and profound flavor unique to wild-caught fish are truly exceptional. From April to October, a variety of plump, fatty eel dishes are also available for a limited time.
Search for Restaurants Where You Can Eat Eel for Lunch by Area
