Unagi Ōyama — Restaurant in Kobe

I was pleasantly surprised to discover this hidden gem in the small town of Arima. After seeing glowing reviews, I decided to stop by—and I can confidently say I had one of the best, if not the best, unagi don experiences of my life.

I ordered the 1.5 eel unagi-ju, which came with pickles and a rich, flavorful soup. What stood out immediately was the meticulous care and skill of the owner/chef. A true perfectionist, he prepares each meal fresh in front of you, from taking a live eel to expertly slicing and grilling it to perfection. Even the bones aren’t wasted—he uses them to create a deeply savory soup, complete with eel liver, adding an extra layer of umami to the meal.

The eel itself was outstanding. Perfectly grilled with a slight crisp on the outside and buttery soft on the inside, it was glazed in a beautifully balanced tare sauce—not too sweet, not too salty—enhancing the natural richness of the eel without overpowering it. The rice was impeccably cooked, soaking up all the delicious flavors and creating the perfect bite every time.

If you find yourself in Arima, this is an absolute must-try. The quality, craftsmanship, and dedication to the art of unagi here make it an experience worth...

Had a lunch here. The chef is a handsome man and he cooks in front of you. You get to eat the freshest unagi. Two serving styles — grill with dark unagi sauce or just plain. We tried both styles and both are yummy. My wife couldn’t finish her set and ask for take out. The handsome chef dude packed it up for us himself with heart! This place is a total hidden gem — location is a bit walking uphill and no big sign outside the building. So you have to really find it. I highly recommend this place and wish more people to...

Little gem in the town! Easily the best eel don I ever had. Didn’t expect this quality at all. Freshly prepared and cooked, and a great combination of the crispy skin and the fatty body. We visited on a relatively busy day, and this place can serve walk-in guests. Totally worth it if you come for onsen.

Update after 6 days in Osaka and Kyoto. Tried other famous unagi places, but no one can come closer...