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You won’t always find unagi, or Japanese freshwater eels, in kitchens, but this is something you’d want to try at least once in your lifetime. Or, actually, several times. Many restaurants in Japan serve unagi every day as this dish can help improve digestion and metabolism, as well as lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of diabetes.
Kyoto is situated near various rivers and waterways. These water sources are habitats for unagi. Let’s embark on a quest to find the best unagi restaurants in this city.
1. Kyogoku Kaneyo
Nothing beats the unagi experience at Kyogoku Kaneyo. As your taxi or Uber arrives here, you’ll be greeted with a façade that looks straight from Japanese history. But, don’t let the old-fashioned design fool you. Sampling unagi in this diner will be unforgettable as you imbibe some old Kyoto charm.
Price: From 3,000 yen
Hours: 11:30 AM-3 PM and 5-8 PM (Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday), 11:30 AM-3 PM on Tuesdays (closed on Wednesdays)
Contact: +81 75-354-0170
Address: 75 Matsugaecho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto 604-8034, Japan
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2. Doi Katsuman Kinkakuji Ten
Unlike other unagi restaurants in Kyoto hidden from the main streets, it’s hard not to miss Doi Katsuman Kinkakuji Ten since it is just a 5-minute walk from Kinkakuji Temple. Indulge in authentic eel grilled crispy to perfection. It’s in Kansai style, so you can tell the difference. Moreover, the owner used to be a fish wholesaler, so they knew the best and highest-quality eel to offer.
Price: From 3,000 yen
Hours: 11 AM-3 PM
Contact: +81 75-46-59102
Address: 30-5 Kinugasababa-cho, Kita-ku, Kyoto 603-8362, Japan
3. Unagi Hirokawa
You won’t regret eating here at Unagi Hirokawa since it has a Michelin Star. Not only that, but it has also been around since the 1960s! The unagi here is so tasty that you’ll have to wait in queue. Apart from the usual shiroyaki preparation style, they also use the kabayaki style, which is traditional cooking but minus the final sauce basting.
Price: From 3,100 yen
Hours: 11 AM-8 PM and 5-9 PM (closed on Mondays)
Contact: +81 75-871-5226
Address: 44-1 Sagatenryuji Kitazourocho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto 616-8374, Japan
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4. Unagi Yondaime Kikukawa Kyotoekiporutaten
This restaurant has chefs who carefully yet quickly grill the unagi to crispy perfection without locking in the soft umami flavor. The eel is cooked in a made-to-order style, preserving freshness and fluffiness. It is run by wholesalers who have been in this business since the 1930s.
Price: From 4,000 yen
Hours: 11 AM-10 PM
Contact: +81 50-5571-1646
Address: 901 Higashishiojicho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto Station Building 11F, Kyoto 600-8216, Japan
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5. Pontocho Izumoya
If there are pork ribs that fall off the bone, the unagi at Pontocho Izumoya is so tender it will literally melt in your mouth. Located in a building that appears to be a store from Diagon Alley in “Harry Potter,” this restaurant has unagi cooked in Kanto style rather than the usual Kansai style. This means the eel is sliced along the back and steamed before grilling, giving it tenderness.
Price: From 2,100 yen
Hours: 11:30 AM-10 PM
Contact: +81 75-211-2501
Address: 173-2 Kashiwaya-cho, Pontocho-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8053, Japan
6. Genpin Kyoto Gion Fugu Unagi Kani Ryori
Unagi isn’t the primary act here but rather Japanese puffer fish or fugu. Yet, unagi is best paired with fugu, together bringing authentic tastes. This restaurant has its roots in Osaka and has been in the industry for around 40 years now.
Price: From 5,000 yen
Hours: 4-10 PM from Monday to Friday, 12-3 PM and 4-10 PM from Saturday to Sunday
Contact: +81 50-5592-9746
Address: 528-4 Gionmachi Minamigawa, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0074, Japan
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7. Gion Uokeya U
Call your friends and loved ones in Kyoto, then head to Gion Uokeya U, a restaurant that offers not only small unagi rice bowls but unagi buckets like your shrimp bucket. This unagi for groups is known as coke, a cedar bucket containing rice and grilled unagi fillets brushed with irresistibly sweet soy sauce. Interestingly, this restaurant is housed in what looks like a residential space, too.
Price: From 2,000 yen
Hours: 11:30 AM-2 PM and 5-9 PM (closed on Mondays)
Contact: +81 75-551-9966
Address: 570-120 Gionmachi Minamigawa, Nishi Hanamikoji-dori, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0074, Japan
8. Minokichi Shin Hankyu Hoteru Ten
Now, if you really want to try authentic unagi but don’t have a lot of budget, head to this restaurant which offers the dish at lower prices than the other diners on this list. Located just three minutes walk from Kyoto Station, this establishment, which is already three centuries old, serves eel, Kyoto kaiseki, and more.
Price: From 2,000 yen
Hours: 11:30 AM-9:30 PM
Contact: +81 50-5593-3503
Address: 579 Higashishiojicho, Shimmachi Higairu, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Shin-Hankyu Hotel B1F, 600-8216, Japan
9. Warajiya
If you think the previous restaurant here is old, Warajiya has been serving unagi for about 400 years now! Whoa. Warajiya specializes in eel hotpot and eel congee. Talk about comfort food.
Price: From 6,000 yen
Hours: 11:30 AM-2 PM and 4-8 PM Monday, Wednesday to Friday; 11:30 AM-8 PM (Saturday to Sunday)
Contact: +81 75-561-1290
Address: 555 Nishinomoncho, Honten Higairu, Shichijo-dori, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0932, Japan
10. Kyokaiseki Minokichi Hankyu Shijo Kawaramachi Ten
Also, a restaurant that has been in business for about 300 years since its founding, it makes its dishes appeal to your senses, the four seasons of Japan, and the uniqueness of Kyoto. Just how they do that is magic. Locate it near Kawaramachi Station.
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Price: From 10,000 yen
Hours: 11 AM-10 PM
Contact: +81 50-5593-3506
Address: 555 Nishinomoncho, Honten Higairu, Shichijo-dori, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0932, Japan
Unagi isn’t the cheapest Japanese dish you’ll ever try, but if it’s the perfect meal to satisfy your cravings after your arduous tour of Kyoto, why skip this seafood? Let’s eat unagi!
Looking for a fun food tour in Kyoto? Join us for our Nishiki Market Kyoto Food Tour where we will take you around the best food spots at Nishiki Market and feast on various delicious dishes.
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