Update-date: Nov 26 2024
Eel, a favorite among Japanese people. During the hot summer, many eat it to boost their stamina, and there are also many eel enthusiasts who crave it all year round. This time, we have picked five restaurants in Tokyo where you can easily enjoy delicious eel. Each restaurant has its own unique approach to grilling and sauce, so trying a variety of them is sure to be enjoyable.
Maruya Honten Ginza Glasse
Enjoy exquisite eel and carefully selected wines in a sophisticated atmosphere
Located just a one-minute walk from Ginza Station, Maruya Honten Ginza Glasse offers excellent accessibility. The artisans here are committed to selecting only the finest eels, which are meticulously prepared with attention to grilling, sauce, and rice, resulting in truly satisfying dishes. The "Hitsumabushi Tokujou (1.5 eels)" is recommended to be enjoyed in its original flavor for the first serving. For the second serving, it is suggested to enjoy it with your preferred condiments, and for the third serving, transform it into a delightful ochazuke (tea over rice), allowing for a variety of flavors to savor the deliciousness of the eel.
The restaurant offers a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere, making it a cozy space. Its luxurious facade is fitting for the streets of Ginza and enhances any special occasion. In addition to comfortable table seating, it also provides semi-private and private rooms that promise a more personal experience. A wide selection of wines and shochu that pair well with eel is also available.
Maruya Honten Ginza Glasse
Open:
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 8,000 JPY / [Lunch] 6,000 JPY
Access: 4-minute walk from JR Yurakucho Station Central Exit, 5-minute walk from Ginza-itchome Station on Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line, 155 meters from Ginza Station
Address: 7F, Ginza Glasse, 3-2-15, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
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Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 8,000 JPY / [Lunch] 6,000 JPY
Access: 4-minute walk from JR Yurakucho Station Central Exit, 5-minute walk from Ginza-itchome Station on Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line, 155 meters from Ginza Station
Address: 7F, Ginza Glasse, 3-2-15, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
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Maruya Honten Tokyo Midtown
Enjoy the signature 'Hitsumabushi' grilled with traditional sauce and expert craftsmanship
Located just a 2-minute walk from Roppongi Station on the 3rd floor of Tokyo Midtown Garden Terrace, Maruya Honten Tokyo Midtown is a renowned restaurant beloved in its hometown of Nagoya for its eel dishes. Here, one can savor the blissful flavors crafted from masterful skills and traditional tastes. The restaurant's proud offerings include 'Hitsumabushi' and 'Umaki'(Japanese omelette with eel), and the luxurious 'once-in-a-lifetime chance set', which also features sashimi and tempura, is highly recommended for those new to eel cuisine.
The restaurant features a modern Japanese interior that is clean and cozy, offering a luxurious spot where one can enjoy both the essence of Japanese sentiment and Japanese culinary culture all at once. In addition to tables that exude the warmth of wood, semi-private and private rooms are also available, making it perfect for visits with small children or friends. Wrapped in a sophisticated atmosphere, guests can indulge in exquisite eel dishes.
Maruya Honten Tokyo Midtown
Open: 11:00 am - 9:00 pm (L.O. 8:30 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 5,000 JPY
Access: 2-minute walk from Roppongi Station on the Toei Oedo Line. 5-minute walk from Roppongi Station on the Subway Hibiya Line.
Address: 3F, Tokyo Midtown Garden Terrace, 9-7-4, Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
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Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 5,000 JPY
Access: 2-minute walk from Roppongi Station on the Toei Oedo Line. 5-minute walk from Roppongi Station on the Subway Hibiya Line.
Address: 3F, Tokyo Midtown Garden Terrace, 9-7-4, Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
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Funachu Asakusa Hanakawado Branch
While experiencing the ambiance of the Edo period, one can enjoy exquisite eel bowl and chiken skewer.
Located just a 3-minute walk from Asakusa Station, Funachu Asakusa Hanakawado, established in 1946, offers heartwarming dishes made with domestic eel and Nichinan chicken. The recommended dish is the "Golden Unaju (eel bowl)," grilled with a secret aged sauce and Binchotan charcoal. The surface is sprinkled with gold leaf, making it visually stunning. For those who want to enjoy both eel and chiken skewer at once, try the "Red Unatori Ju (eel and chiken bowl)" The spicy red sauce enhances the flavors beautifully.
Located close to the popular spot, Senso-ji Temple, this restaurant is perfect for a visit combined with sightseeing. The interior offers not only a dining experience but also an atmosphere steeped in Japanese history and culture. The walls are adorned with Ukiyo-e paintings and happi coats that convey the ambiance of the Edo period, while lanterns and beckoning signs enhance the Japanese essence. The restaurant also features counter seats, making it accessible for solo visitors.
Funachu Asakusa-hanakawado Branch
Open: [Monday, Thursday, Friday] Lunch 11:30 am - 2:00 pm (L.O. 1:30 pm) / Dinner 5:00 pm - 9:30 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm), [Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays] 11:30 am - 9:30 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)
Closed: Tuesday, Wednesday
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,500 JPY
Access: Walk out of Tobu Asakusa North Exit and go in the left direction. Turn left at the Asakusa 2-chome intersection, and it is immediately on your left.
Address: 1-6-4, Hanakawado, Taito-ku, Tokyo
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Closed: Tuesday, Wednesday
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,500 JPY
Access: Walk out of Tobu Asakusa North Exit and go in the left direction. Turn left at the Asakusa 2-chome intersection, and it is immediately on your left.
Address: 1-6-4, Hanakawado, Taito-ku, Tokyo
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Unagi Komagata Maekawa Marunouchi Branch
Enjoy the secret flavors that have been passed down for over 200 years since its establishment.
Located just a 2-minute walk from Tokyo Station on the 5th floor of a multi-purpose building, the restaurant Unagi Komagata Maekawa Marunouchi branch has been preserving the traditional flavors of eel cuisine since the Edo period, using carefully selected ingredients and expert techniques. The main ingredient, eel, is the flavorful yet light 'Unagi Bandotaro'. Experience the secret recipes with dishes like 'Unaju (Eel bowl)' and 'Kabayaki (glaze-grilled eel)'.
The restaurant features a modern interior based on Japanese aesthetics, with sophisticatedly designed tables and chairs, and jazz music playing as background music. There are also private tatami rooms where guests can remove their shoes and relax, making it an ideal spot for tourists who are tired from sightseeing or for families. The menu includes a selection of Spanish wines and dry pure rice sake, which pair well with the eel dishes offered.
Unagi Komagata Maekawa Marunouchi Branch
Open: Lunch 11:00 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm) / Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 6,000 JPY / [Lunch] 4,000 JPY
Access: 2 minutes walk from Marunouchi Exit of JR Tokyo Station, or 1 minute walk from Tokyo Station on Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line.
Address: 5F, Shin Marunouchi Bldg., 1-5-1, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
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Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 6,000 JPY / [Lunch] 4,000 JPY
Access: 2 minutes walk from Marunouchi Exit of JR Tokyo Station, or 1 minute walk from Tokyo Station on Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line.
Address: 5F, Shin Marunouchi Bldg., 1-5-1, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
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Kawaei
The eel, grilled using an original method, is delightfully soft and melts in your mouth.
Located just a 4-minute walk from Akabane Station, Kawaei, established in 1946, is a long-standing restaurant. The eel, cooked directly from its raw state using a unique steaming method, is characterized by its fluffy and meltingly tender texture. The "Shinobi Don (Special)" is a luxurious bowl with grilled eel and rice in a double-layered arrangement. As one continues to eat, the delightful surprise of another piece of grilled eel emerging from within truly makes the experience extraordinary.
The restaurant also sells take-out options like eel and yakitori at the storefront, giving it an open feel. The building, constructed in 1955, retains a traditional Japanese ambiance. Table seats are available at the back of the first floor, and on the second floor, there are tatami mat seats where one can relax and enjoy eel dishes. In addition to the usual glass servings, the availability of 300cc drink-up bottles is a delightful point for those who appreciate a wide selection of sake.
Kawaei
Open: [Monday, Tuesday, Thursday-Sunday, National Holidays, the Day Before National Holidays] Lunch: 11:30 am - (L.O. 2:00 pm) / Dinner: 6:00 pm - (L.O. 9:30 pm)
Closed: Wednesday
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 2,500 JPY
Access: 4 minutes walk from the East Exit of Akabane Station on JR Lines.
Address: 1-19-16, Akabane, Kita-ku, Tokyo
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Closed: Wednesday
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 2,500 JPY
Access: 4 minutes walk from the East Exit of Akabane Station on JR Lines.
Address: 1-19-16, Akabane, Kita-ku, Tokyo
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Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.
