Nagoya | Japan's Top 100 Eel Restaurants---Sumiyaki Unafuji Main Store.

Can you really visit Nagoya without trying eel? On my last afternoon before leaving, I made a special trip to Sanno Street near Maizuru Station to dine at this traditional charcoal-grilled eel restaurant, "Sumiyaki Unafuji." Ranked 23rd among Japan's top 100 eel restaurants, this place truly lives up to its reputation. The restaurant opens at 11 AM, and by then, there were already three or four groups of customers inside, all seemingly locals. The secret to enjoying a famous restaurant is to arrive right when it opens to avoid long queues. Nagoya's eel rice is known for its "three ways to enjoy": ✓ First bowl: Savor the original flavor. The crispy, aromatic eel skin paired with the tender, delicate eel meat is of exceptional quality. Drizzled with a special sweet sauce and infused with the smoky aroma of charcoal grilling, it’s absolutely delicious! ✓ Second bowl: Add wasabi and chopped green onions. The spiciness of the wasabi stimulates the taste buds, adding layers to the flavor. ✓ Third bowl: Pour broth over the rice, transforming it into eel chazuke (tea rice). This variation is delightful and prevents the rich eel rice from becoming overwhelming. I also ordered the limited eel liver, and I’m glad I did—it was a true delicacy, even more impressive than the eel meat itself! The eel rice is served in wooden bowls, giving it a premium feel. The set meal also includes clam soup and pickled vegetables, making for a very satisfying meal. It seems Nagoya’s culinary scene is quite impressive. Sumiyaki Unafuji Main Store 炭焼うな富士 ✓ Open: 11:00-14:30, 17:00-20:30 ✓ Address: Japan〒466-0058 Aichi, Nagoya, Showa Ward, Shirakane, 1 Chome−1−4 プレザント白金 1階