I’m not really a fan of unagi (eel) but one Saturday, I just wanted to eat it. It’s been a long time since I had a good one. We’re always getting unagi from the frozen section of the grocery and heat it at home via microwave. In my previous workplace, sometimes I had it during our free lunch. It’s rare for me to go to a restaurant specializing in unagi and order this luxurious food.
Ah yes, a good unagi is usually on the expensive side. That’s why it’s hard to find a good one on the affordable end. Plus, I’m not a big fan of it because of its thorns.
As I was scrolling on the map, I stumbled upon an unagi restaurant with high ratings in Nakano. One review says it’s like a hidden gem because you won’t really notice it among the other restaurants in Nakano.
After ambushing convincing my partner to have unagi, we’re now outside the restaurant. We’ve been passing this restaurant all along, and I didn’t really mind what it was. The outside doesn’t seem to be appealing much, maybe that’s why I tend to ignore it.
This unagi restaurant is called Unatoto, a few steps beside the entrance of Nakano Broadway in the shopping district area. It may look ordinary on the outside, but I left the restaurant with a full and satisfied stomach.
It was awkward when we got inside. There’s only one customer, and the staff were a bit busy. It’s not yet the peak of dinner so it’s understandable it’s almost empty. All seats were counter seats, and we seated facing the wall, not the kitchen. The seats were also awkward, it was uncomfortable to sit on their small and narrow high chair.
They have english menu! I guess some people who eat here are foreigners. It’s kinda rare for tourists to visit an unagi restaurant because they usually go to sushi, tempura and ramen restaurants so if they go to an unagi restaurant like this, it’s really something good! I approve!
My partner ordered the unaju or the boxed eel rice bowl. It’s like any other normal boxed bowl I’ve seen. My partner who was hesitant to eat unagi for dinner liked his meal. But he said this wasn’t enough yet to satisfy him. 😅
So he ordered the 5 sticks of assorted yakitori. All of them are unagi. They’re different parts, and they’re all so good! Beer is missing and it would have been a perfect match. 😏
I got myself the hitsumabushi or broiled eel over rice with soup. As for the soup, it’s in this antique-looking kettle. It was heavy, mind you!
Pouring it now so I can start eating.
I’m not really sure what flavor of the soup this is, but the soup enhances the flavor of the rice bowl.
And in a few moments, I was surprised to find that my meal had been finished. It was so good I couldn’t stop eating! I wasn’t expecting anything for a 1,100 yen meal to be honest.
If I could have another round, I would! But my tummy was unexpectedly full after.
It’s as the reviews say, Unatoto, the unagi restaurant in Nakano, is really a hidden gem. Would try to go again if I crave for some eel!
Thanks for reading!
See you around! じゃあ、またね！
With love,
All photos are taken using my phone unless stated otherwise.