Unadon

Unadon is grilled freshwater eel (unagi) over rice. The eel is butterflied, steamed, then charcoal-grilled while being repeatedly basted with a thick, sweet soy tare, giving a soft, rich, faintly smoky result. It is a treat, not everyday food — a good serving costs several thousand yen, and prices have climbed as wild eel numbers fell. The larger lacquered-box version is called unaju.

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RICE BOWLS

Unadon thumbnail
Unadon¥1,800〜¥3,500
RareRICE BOWLS

ABOUT

Unadon is grilled freshwater eel (unagi) over rice. The eel is butterflied, steamed, then charcoal-grilled while being repeatedly basted with a thick, sweet soy tare, giving a soft, rich, faintly smoky result. It is a treat, not everyday food — a good serving costs several thousand yen, and prices have climbed as wild eel numbers fell. The larger lacquered-box version is called unaju.

DIETARY NOTES

VegetarianVEGETARIAN
Not vegetarianGrilled freshwater eel (unagi) glazed with a soy-mirin tare. Contains fish; the sauce also contains alcohol.
PorkPORK
No pork in the standard version.
AlcoholALCOHOL
Cooked with mirin and/or sake. Most of the alcohol cooks off, but not all of it.
AllergensCOMMON ALLERGENS
FishSoyWheat / gluten

General guidance for the standard version of this dish. Recipes vary by shop and region — always confirm with the restaurant if you have an allergy or a religious dietary requirement.

DETAILS

OriginORIGIN
Eel has been eaten for centuries and is tied to Doyo no Ushi no Hi in midsummer, a day the 18th-century scholar-marketer Hiraga Gennai is said to have promoted eel-eating for stamina in the heat.
How to EatHOW TO EAT
Eaten with chopsticks straight from the bowl or box. Sansho pepper, a citrusy tingling spice, is provided to cut the richness — sprinkle it on. Liver soup (kimosui) is the classic side.
FrequencyFREQUENCY
Rare — Luxury / special
PricePRICE
¥1,800〜¥3,500