The Best 10 Unagi Restaurants You Must Eat in Tokyo

Tokyo has been keeping this downtown culture since the Edo-era. There are many grilled-eel shops. Some of them are approachable and others are high-class restaurants where famous people go. The best way to enjoy a grilled-eel is finding the most delicious grilled-eel (Unagi) shop which meets your budget. I’m introducing to you the grilled-eel shops which are very popular, delicious and inexpensive.

1. Unagiya

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The “Unagiya” in the Toshima-ward has a reputation for attracting many famous and distinguished people. The founder of the Honda automobile company, Mr. Soichiro Honda used to visit this shop to enjoy the delicious grilled-eel. It is a classy shop, but the price is quite reasonable.

The carefully chosen eels are very delicate and tender when they are grilled. They seem to melt in your mouth. The sauce has less sugar and has a refined flavor, so the seasoning is not too strong. You can eat a lot of them at this shop.

2. Unagi Akasaka Sekine

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It is located in Akasaka Tokyo. Many Japanese big name politicians visit this shop. The “Unagi Akasaka Sekine” is a high-class grilled-eel shop and it has received the Michelin Guide stars. Now, you may be thinking, “It must be very expensive!” Well, you are wrong. If you visit there at lunch time, you can taste the top-quality grilled-eel for a reasonable price!

The “leaving the choice to the chef” course has a different menu each day. But you can enjoy the best one of the day. So, I strongly recommend that you should order it for yourself. It is truly worth it.

3. Hyotanya 6-chome-shop

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The Kanto-styled grilled-eel provides the fluffy, creamy palate to enjoy. On the other hand, the Kansai-styled one provides the chewy, firm texture with a bit of rich sauce. The “Hyotanya 6-chome-shop” is located in Ginza, Tokyo, but you can enjoy the Kansai-styled grilled eel.

The good quality grilled-eel with less sweet sauce on the firmly boiled rice is exquisite! Once you taste it, you’ll be addicted by the flavor. At lunch time, the price is reasonable, so it is very popular.

4. Hatsuogawa

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In the Tokyo downtown, the unagi culture has been continuing since the Edo-era. It is the area where the delicious genuine grilled-eel specialists gather. The grilled-eel shop, ”Hatsuogawa” is in the representative Tokyo downtown, Asakusa. It has been loved for generations by the locals.

They offer not only the exquisite quality grilled-eel but also you can choose the Kansai-styled or the Kanto-styled cooking with your favorite sauce flavor! How wonderful it is! Please drop in at this shop when you visit Asakusa on your trip to Tokyo.

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5. Ichinoya Shinsen-shop

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Even though it is located right in the middle of the modern city, Shibuya, the grilled-eel shop, “Ichinoya Shinsen-shop” has been a long established one with a long history since the Edo-era. The stately shop with the dignified looking entrance creates an atmosphere that their food is visibly delicious. They grill the eel softly and fluffy taking time, using the Bincho charcoals (high-grade charcoal). That makes the eel delicious with a plain taste.

As they start grilling it, after they receive the order, it takes sometimes about 1 hour before you will actually have your grilled-eel on the table. However, the thick, fluffy grilled-eel tastes exquisite, accordingly! If you have enough time, please drop in at this famous shop. You will never regret it!

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6. Ohwada

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The popular grilled-eel shop, “Ohwada” is an 8-minute-walk from the Shibuya station. The good olden Showa-era looking interior of the shop gives an atmosphere that you can enjoy the meal, being relaxed. The standard “Unaju” (grilled-eel served on rice in a lacquered box) has the slowly grilled-eel, using the Bincho charcoals. So, the fluffy flesh and the matching less sweet flavor creates an indescribable soft taste.

They offer the Shiro-yaki so, you can enjoy the grilled-eel with the soy-sauce and the wasabi, simply. There are a few private rooms for people who want to enjoy their meals, feeling relaxed. They are suitable for a family or a couple for their special occasions.

7. Unazen

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The Tokyo Sky Tree has been internationally famous as a new sightseeing spot in the Tokyo downtown area. There are many delicious grilled-eel shops in this area. Amongst them I would like you to visit the long established grilled-eel shop, “Unazen”.

Compared to other grilled-eel shops, their price is very reasonable. So, you can enjoy your favorite taste without worrying about the money. The reason is that they are using the farm-raised eels in Mikawa-Ishiki in the Aichi prefecture. The delicate texture is as delicious as the natural ones. Please visit this shop to have the delicious grilled-eel when you visit the Sky Tree!

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8. Aikawa

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You must be very interested in the shops where you can enjoy the delicious grilled-eel for a reasonable price, mustn’t you? This is for you. Most grilled-eel shops have the image of being high in social standing and they are a very expensive ingredient for ordinary people. But “Aikawa”’s policy is that they hold the price low and allow as many people as possible to enjoy the delicious grilled-eel.

You can choose between the Kanto-styled or the Kansai-styled cooking. If your budget is small, this shop may be for you.

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9. Ishibashi

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The ultra-popular grilled-eel cuisine shop, “Ishibashi” has received the Michelin Guide stars. It is located in the Bunkyo-ward Tokyo. Everyone knows about this shop, if they are the Japanese gourmet lovers. The grilled-eel cooking-style at this shop is the Kanto-styled one. The fatty flesh is really exquisite! You can enjoy various types of grilled-eel meals apart from the standard “Unaju”.

As it is a high-class grilled-eel shop, the price is a little more expensive. The skilful chef selects the finest eel from the producing areas from all over Japan and cooks them. They are obviously very delicious, accordingly. If you want to taste the prime grilled-eel, even if you can afford to pay more, this shop is for you.

10. Obana

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There are no grilled-eel lovers who don’t know this shop. It is very much talked about as the No.1 grilled-eel shop in Tokyo. Although it is a classy shop, the price is reasonable. So, there is a queue all the time.

They carefully cook the finest eel to be fluffy inside. You can enjoy the original eel taste, as the sauce is not too rich. They offer the unique menu, the Una-tama-don apart from the standard “Unaju”. You may not fancy standing in a queue, but I’ll tell you that it is worth it.

Let’s Taste the Delicious Unagi in Tokyo!

How have you found these articles? In Tokyo, there are various types of grilled-eel shops. The delicate, fatty grilled-eel is more delicious when you eat it soon after it is freshly grilled at the shop. They melt in your mouth. You may change your image about the eel cuisine after tasting it.