Unazen — Restaurant in Tokyo

After researching Tablelog's 100 best Unagi restaurants, Unazen (distinct from the Fukuoka establishment of the same name) was the only one that fit my itinerary. Upon entering, we were greeted by a hospitable chef who asked us to wait briefly. The restaurant was clearly a small operation, staffed by just the male chef and an older woman who served as the waitstaff. The dining room was full of older Japanese customers, which I took as a promising sign of an authentic unagi experience. We and one other group were the only foreigners present.

The food itself was excellent. The unagi was plump and melted in my mouth like butter; you could tell the chef had put a lot of care into preparing it. I could really taste the dedication.

However, the service was a significant letdown. The elderly server had quite an attitude. For example, she placed our Unagidon on the table with a force that felt almost aggressive, which contrasted sharply with the typically courteous service one expects in Japan. This felt particularly odd, and I wondered if it was because we were younger than the other patrons or because we were foreigners. To provide some context, members of our group could speak and understand a moderate amount of Japanese. At such a high price point, and with the restaurant only accepting cash, the poor service significantly detracted from the...

Authentic Unagi Experience at Unazen A Must-Try in Sumida!

If you’re looking for authentic unagi in Tokyo, Unazen is the place to go. I did some research and found this small, local unagi restaurant in Sumida and it did not disappoint! The chef and staff were incredibly friendly, making the dining experience even better.

The unagi itself was absolutely delicious, perfectly grilled with a rich, flavorful sauce, served over rice in a traditional lacquered box. While unagi is generally on the pricier side, the quality here justifies the cost. One important thing to note: they only accept cash, so make sure to bring some yen with you!

Overall, if you’re in the area and want to try authentic unagi, I highly recommend Unazen. It’s a fantastic experience that’s...

What a great experience. Here is the gist. Line up early - about an hour ahead in Sunday was enough to be one of the first few people. They will take your order in line before you enter. They do not speak much / any English but people will help you - they're all very friendly. If you arrive late they will take your order and tell you to come back.

Order a beer or sake and you will get a few nibbles while you wait for your eel. It's more than worth it.

My eel was prepared from live and was easily the best I've ever had. They do not over sauce it and they take their time while making it. The owner chef has been cooking eel for 40 years and is very friendly but doesn't...