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Unagi Kabayaki — traditional dish from Edo (modern-day Tokyo), Japan
Main course Fish & Seafood

Food Flavour DNA

Nutritional Values

🔥700kcal
💪45gProtein
🌾40gCarbs
🥑35gFat
🌿—Fibre
⚖️350 gServing

* Per serving · 350 g. May vary.

Allergens

🐟 Fish 🫘 Soy

Unagi Kabayaki

How to order / say it
Say it うなぎ蒲焼 — [oo-nah-gee kah-bah-yah-kee]
Order I'd like the unagi kabayaki, please.
Locally うなぎ蒲焼をお願いします。
Say locally

Grilled eel glazed with sweet soy-based sauce.

Why try it?

Unagi represents Tokyo's indulgence in rich, artisanal flavors. It's traditionally believed to boost stamina, making it a culturally cherished dish during summer.

How it tastes

A rich, savory eel with a caramelized glaze that's sweet and smoky. The flesh is tender, contrasting with the slightly crispy exterior.

Origin & History — first documented: 1822

Eels became popular in the Edo period as a luxury food. The kabayaki style of filleting, skewering, and sauce-grilling was perfected in Tokyo, turning unagi into a delicacy.

Recipe

Ingredients

  • 🐟 400 g eel fillets
  • 🥣 50 ml soy sauce
  • 🍷 50 ml mirin
  • 🍯 30 g sugar
  • 🍷 50 ml sake
  • 🫒 10 ml vegetable oil

Method

  1. 1 Preheat grill, skewer the eel.
  2. 2 Simmer soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and sake to make sauce.
  3. 3 Grill eel, basting with sauce until caramelized.
  4. 4 Slice and serve with extra sauce.
All Asia recipes — Japan — Tokyo — Unagi Kabayaki
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