What is Tokyo?: Tokyo’s dining scene brings together classic washoku techniques and global flavors across an ever-changing metropolis. From Edomae-style sushi, soba, tempura, and grilled eel to contemporary tasting menus and casual counter dining, the range of experiences is broad. Markets, food halls, and yokocho alleyways create a rhythm that shifts from early-morning bustle to late-night snacks, while department-store depachika showcase seasonal bento, sweets, and prepared dishes. Many chefs highlight ingredients drawn from surrounding seas and mountains, and diners encounter everything from quick stand-and-eat shops to intimate chef-led courses. A hallmark of local history is the Edo-era street food culture that helped shape Tokyo’s preference for skillful, efficient service and clear flavors, an influence still felt in today’s ramen shops, tempura counters, and sushi bars. Pop-ups and limited-time menus appear across districts, reflecting a spirit of experimentation that complements time-honored craft.
What is Eel?: Eel-focused restaurants highlight the pleasure of slow grilling over charcoal, where glossy tare lends a gentle sweetness and sheen while the skin turns lightly crisp and the flesh stays tender. Many menus feature kabayaki alongside salt-grilled fillets, and some kitchens employ a steam-then-grill method to emphasize a delicate texture. Bowls and lacquered boxes of eel over rice are common, as are regional styles that invite multiple ways to eat in one sitting. Diners may encounter white-grilled cuts seasoned simply, omelets rolled around eel, or a clear broth made with the liver. The counter often showcases the sizzle and aroma from the grill, shaping a dining experience that balances smoke, sauce, and craftsmanship. Attention to butchery, skewering, and precise heat control is central to the appeal, with small side dishes and pickles rounding out a meal that favors nuance and measured richness.
Eel / B1F Imperial Roppongi No.2 Building, 5-16-52 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan /
Specialty Restaurant for Authentic Unagi Dishes
This specialty restaurant prides itself on using carefully selected eel, serving perfectly grilled unagi over rice. Located just a few minutes' walk from Roppongi Station, guests can enjoy authentic eel dishes in a calm and relaxing atmosphere. It's perfect for both special occasions and everyday dining, from lunch to dinner.
Eel / 1-17-22 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo, Japan /
Misako
@misako-809045
4.00
Japan User ratings
Visits1times
The staff was very nice. They explained everything carefully, and their attentiveness was very noticeable, making for a very enjoyable time. The meal had various skewers, and I was able to enjoy different parts. I ordered Kansai-style eel, and the eel was fluffy while the skin was crispy, making it very delicious. I definitely want to go again.
Eel / 1F Hikari Building, 7-4-14 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan /
Enjoy a New Sensation of Unagi Cuisine in a Japanese Atmosphere
This Japanese restaurant offers a variety of dishes using carefully selected unagi, including stone-grilled and hitsumabushi options. The calm space, characterized by wood elements, provides an ideal atmosphere for special occasions or dates. Despite its location in Ginza, it is also perfect for a rewarding lunch or dinner on a regular day.
Eel / Tokyo, Minato City, Azabujuban, 2 Chome−5−11 AZABUMAISON 201, Japan /
Selected by the Michelin in 2026
Selected by the Michelin in 2025
AYA
@aya06tokyo
4.50
Japan User ratings
Visits2times
A complete course meal filled with the personality of the owner and his passion for eel.
I have always wanted to visit Tokito.
I have always wanted to go to Tokito's. It is a restaurant where you can enjoy a novel dish called "French eel".
I was so excited to see the restaurant,
It has only been one year since they opened their restaurant in Azabujuban.
It has been only one year since they opened their first restaurant in Azabujuban, but it is a popular restaurant with a lot of media and magazine exposure.
On this day, we had the omakase course for dinner.
The owner was very passionate
the owner's passion for eel.
the owner's passion for eel.
Corn potage
Hairy crab, scallops, and crispy fried eel.
The caviar on top of the crab and scallops made the dish even more extravagant!
The saltiness of the caviar made the sweetness of the corn even stronger.
The saltiness of the caviar makes the sweetness of the corn even stronger. Very tasty.
Sashimi
On this day, we had yari squid, sea bass, kombu-shime sea bream, and sea urchin from Hokkaido,
and sea urchin from Hokkaido.
All of them had no smell at all and were
and delicious. The sea urchin is soaked in salt water of the same density as seawater as soon as it arrives.
the same concentration as seawater.
The shelf life of the sea urchin is shortened, but they still want to serve the freshest sea urchin.
but we still want to serve them fresh. The owner says, "I am very particular about each and every ingredient.
He is very particular about each and every ingredient.
I'm very interested in it.
Eight dishes
Unomaki, smoked eel, tomato pasta with eel, fried young fish, and vinegared eel,
fried fry, and vinegared eel.
There are many Italian style dishes,
The batter of fried fry is made from pasta flour. The fry were soft and fluffy, and the moment you bite into them, you will be in agony.
The elaborate small dishes make every meal enjoyable.
Four kinds of Shiroyaki
Shiroyaki, Umeshiso, Prosciutto, and Caviar
Shiroyaki is sprinkled with salt, so you can enjoy it as it is.
You can also add a squeeze of citrus fruit if you like.
Add wasabi (Japanese horseradish), yuzu kosho (Japanese citrus), or salt to taste.
Here, too, there is an Italian element.
Prosciutto and eel are completely different things, right?
I thought so, but it is not too salty and the flavor of the eel is not lost.
and the flavor of the eel is not lost, so it is a very well-balanced combination.
It was a well-balanced combination.
Smoked eel terrine
Smoked eel was served at the appetizer,
I thought it was delicious! I thought it was delicious!
I'm so happy!
It is a simple combination of vegetables and smoked eel, but this simplicity enhances the deliciousness of the eel.
If the previous dish had a strong flavor
the goodness of this dish would be reduced by half.
but here it was a masterpiece.
The beautifully decorated
Spinach sauce and beet sauce,
and the balsamic sauce is a nice accent.
Marinated eel
A refreshing dish.
The fatty eel and the accompanying salad
The fatty eel and the accompanying salad are the best to refresh your palate.
The refreshing dressing will whet your appetite again.
The refreshing dressing is also a great appetite stimulant.
Braised eel with red wine
This is the owner's favorite dish.
It is a boldly arranged dish of eel stewed in red wine, which is a mainstream dish in Europe!
This dish is a boldly arranged version of the mainstream European dish of stewed eel in red wine!
The eel stewed in red wine is so tender and melt-in-your-mouth
The eel stewed in red wine is so tender and melt-in-your-mouth that you don't even need your teeth!
Luxurious foie gras and truffle on top!
The dish is a paradise in your mouth if you enjoy it with the eel.
After a series of refreshing dishes
This rich and punchy dish after a series of light dishes
It is too delicious! It is too delicious!
Unaju
The last dish to be served is Unaju!
After eating such a wide variety of eel dishes
I thought my stomach and mind should be satisfied.
But we finish with a magnificent unaju, as if to say, "If you come to an eel restaurant, you must eat unaju!
You can choose from a small amount of rice to a large portion of rice.
You can choose from a small amount of rice to a large amount of rice.
Liver soup and pickled vegetables are also included.
The eel is steamed for 3 minutes, which is the usual style at Tokitoh.
I have never waited so long for 3 minutes!
The eel is fluffy and thick.
The eel was thick and fluffy, and the sweet sauce was perfect!
I should have been full, but for some reason, I could eat it as fast as I could.
I can't stop eating. Chopsticks that won't stop.
Finally, for dessert
Kuzumochi
Matcha green powdered tea
and green powdered tea.
The owner herself makes the matcha right in front of you.
It is hard to find such a perfect course meal of eel.
I think it is very rare to have such a perfect course meal of eel.
Next time, I will go to eat a course of all-natural eel.
The owner's personality is also excellent, so I am sure to repeat my visit here.
Eel / 2-10-6 Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan /
Savor Supreme Eel Dishes in an Urban Hideaway
This restaurant offers exquisite eel dishes in a tranquil atmosphere that allows you to forget the hustle and bustle of the city. Located near Hie Shrine, it provides visitors with a special moment. The interior is quiet, enveloping guests in a sensation as if time has stopped.
Eel / 2F-3 SDC Enomoto Building, 1-2-2 Honcho, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo, Japan /
Authentic Eel Cuisine Near the Station
This eel specialty restaurant is conveniently located just a short walk from Hatsudai Station. Guests can enjoy plump eel in a clean and inviting atmosphere at reasonable prices. With a delightful aroma, the dishes are creatively prepared to be enjoyed as hitsumabushi, ensuring that the flavors remain exciting until the very last bite.
Eel / 4-14-4 Higashi Yotsugi, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo, Japan /
Bib Gourmand in 2020
Bib Gourmand in 2019
東京外食女
@gaijyo
4.50
Japan User ratings
Visits1times
Welcome to the Fascinating World of Eels
Welcome to the Eel World.
Here are natural and farmed eels,
Enjoy Taro Bando's eel
Wonderland....
If you enjoy the bones, liver, and head
Then you can compare the soft and fluffy meat
and compare the natural and farm-raised
Because it is precious and natural eel
and share it with your friends.
It also makes you feel precious, doesn't it? LOL!
It is said to have been created over many years.
The golden liver salt.
In addition to bitterness and saltiness
to the ultimate seasoning with depth.
Goes well with the fish Masa no Shiroyaki!
If you drink sake with this liver salt as a side dish
I bet you can't resist drinking sake
I'm sure I'd be irresistible,
I don't drink sake because of the sugar content. LOL!
The meat also has more flavor in the fat
The fat has more flavor.
The times are moving on,
I wonder if the time will come when farmed brands will be better
I wonder if the time will come when the farmed brand will be better.
I feel such new possibilities.
Delicious farmed Bando Taro.
More than the flavor of the sauce
than the deliciousness of the sauce.
the taste of the ingredients itself rather than the flavor of the sauce.
If you get a good one, it will be a great night
It will be the best night 🌉.
Eel / Nakahata Building 1F, 1-5-6 Nihonbashi Ningyocho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan /
Bib Gourmand in 2019
A Hidden Gem to Savor Traditional Flavors
This Japanese restaurant prides itself on its 'Unaju' (grilled eel over rice) made with rice cooked over charcoal in a dedicated oven and domestic eel grilled to perfection. The secret sauce, which has been passed down for over 70 years, enhances the savory aroma and captivates visitors. Enjoy a relaxing moment in a tranquil Japanese setting.
Eel / 4F, VORT Ginza East II Building, 4-12-1 Ginza, Chuo Ward, Tokyo, Japan /
Selected by the Michelin in 2026
Selected by the Michelin in 2025
Selected by the Michelin in 2024
Exquisite Eel Cuisine Where Tradition Meets Innovation
This restaurant offers eel dishes beloved by the kabuki world and the political and business elite. Using natural eel primarily from Lake Biwa and high-quality eel from Mikawa Isshiki in Aichi Prefecture, guests can enjoy a special moment in a refined space reminiscent of a small art museum. The eel kabayaki, finished with traditional techniques, captivates all who visit.
The cozy interior has seating on the second floor as well, but when I arrived around 6 PM, it was already bustling with many customers. I ordered the unaju (grilled eel over rice) and the recommended shio hitsumabushi (salted grilled eel over rice) from the owner. The large, fluffy eel highlighted its natural umami rather than the flavor of the sauce, making it a refined delicacy. The shio hitsumabushi was light and mild, and I enjoyed changing the flavor with condiments like wasabi, shiso leaves, and yuzu peel. The smoked ham served as an appetizer was a unique dish wrapped in eel skin and ham, lightly smoked and delicious.
A friend of mine who lives in Sendai recommended this place to me for a drink. As I had heard, all the dishes were inexpensive and delicious. I ordered the Ishiyaki Ojiya (rice topped with grilled stones) as a topping, and it was very tasty. It was served in a hot stone pot and consisted of a very simple dish of soup stock, egg, seaweed, and rice, but the umami of the soup stock and the gentle taste of the egg made it very delicious.
Eel / Tokyo, Minato City, Shibaura, 3 Chome−1, 1msb Tamachi 田町ステーションタワーN 1F, Japan /
みわ
@chibizo21
5.00
Japan User ratings
Visits6times
The quality of the eel is good, and above all, the grilling method is exquisite! The inside is fluffy and seems to melt, while the skin is crispy and fragrant, making it feel like I could eat as much as I want. Being able to enjoy freshly ground Sichuan pepper enhances the aroma and adds a nice spiciness, which is delightful.
Eel / 6F Shibuya Hikarie, 2-21-1 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan /
A Renowned Restaurant Merging Tradition and Innovation in Unagi Cuisine
This restaurant offers a new style of unagi dishes proposed by a long-established shop from Hamamatsu. The exquisite unagi, grilled over charcoal with a secret sauce, is a highlight, along with rice sourced directly from contracted farmers in Akita. Located in the heart of Shibuya, it provides a calm atmosphere for a pleasant dining experience.
Eel / Tokyo, Chuo City, Ginza, 8 Chome−7−2 銀座藤井ビル B1F Ⅱ, Japan /
A Casual Space to Enjoy Eel
We offer eel in a casual style to make it more accessible for everyone. Our menu features a variety of cooking methods that highlight the charm of eel, including rare cuts on skewers and hitsumabushi. Enjoy a pleasant time in a space filled with traditional Japanese ambiance.
Eel / 2 Chome-3-1 Shitaya, 台東区 Taito City, Tokyo 110-0004, Japan /
Emiko
@emiko-195879
4.00
Japan User ratings
Visits1times
I made a reservation for 1 PM, but the common eel was already sold out, so I think it's better to make a reservation for an earlier time. I had a different type of eel, but it was grilled to perfection and delicious. You can also order the amount of rice. The staff provided a thorough explanation and had a pleasant attitude.
Eel / 2F Libera Ueno Building, 4-3-10 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan /
Specialty Restaurant for Enjoying Domestic Eel
This restaurant offers dishes made with domestic eel, expertly grilled and steamed using unique techniques to achieve a fluffy texture. Their lunch featuring the rare super-large eel is a special dish that cannot be found elsewhere. It is the only place in Ueno where you can enjoy boneless eel, making it a must-visit for eel lovers.