Unagi Kabayaki
Grilled Glazed Eel
Tender, grilled freshwater eel fillets coated in a rich, sweet, and savory glaze (tare), traditionally served over steamed rice. A classic Japanese summer delicacy known for its invigorating properties.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 Unagi (freshwater eel) fillets, pre-cooked and frozen or fresh(Look for fillets labeled 'kabayaki' style, which are often already partially cooked and glazed. If using fresh, ensure they are properly cleaned and filleted.)
- 4 tbsp Soy sauce(Use a good quality Japanese soy sauce for best flavor.)
- 4 tbsp Mirin (sweet Japanese rice wine)
- 2 tbsp Sake (Japanese rice wine)
- 2 tbsp Granulated sugar
- 2 cups Steamed Japanese short-grain rice(Cooked rice for serving.)
- to taste Sansho pepper(A traditional Japanese spice with a unique citrusy and peppery flavor. Essential for cutting through the richness of the eel.)
- as desired Optional: Garnish (e.g., thinly sliced scallions, toasted sesame seeds)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the Kabayaki Tare (Sauce): In a small saucepan, combine the soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar. Place over medium heat and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for about 8-10 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly and coats the back of a spoon. It should reduce by about one-third. Remove from heat and set aside.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 2
Prepare the Unagi: If using frozen unagi fillets, thaw them according to package instructions. If using fresh unagi, ensure it is properly cleaned, deboned, and filleted. Pat the fillets dry with paper towels. If the fillets are very thick, you can lightly score the flesh side in a crosshatch pattern to help them cook evenly and absorb the glaze.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 3
Grill or Broil the Unagi: Preheat your grill or broiler to medium-high heat. If grilling, lightly oil the grates. Place the unagi fillets skin-side down (if applicable) on the hot grill or under the broiler. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until the skin is slightly crisp. Flip the fillets and brush generously with the prepared kabayaki tare. Continue to cook for another 4-6 minutes, basting with more tare every minute or two, until the glaze is caramelized and sticky, and the eel is heated through and slightly charred in spots. Be careful not to burn the glaze.
⏱️ 8 minutes - 4
Assemble and Serve: Spoon the hot steamed rice into serving bowls. Carefully place a glazed unagi fillet on top of the rice. Drizzle with a little extra kabayaki tare, if desired. Sprinkle generously with sansho pepper. Garnish with optional scallions or sesame seeds. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 2 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Unagi Kabayaki is traditionally enjoyed during the summer months in Japan, particularly on 'Doyo no Ushi' (the hottest day of summer), believed to provide stamina.
- ✓The sansho pepper's bright, slightly numbing quality is essential for cutting through the richness of the eel and the sweetness of the tare, creating a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
- ✓This dish is often considered a special occasion meal or a luxurious treat due to the cost and preparation involved in sourcing and cooking eel.
- ✓If you can't find pre-cooked unagi fillets, you can grill raw eel fillets, but be sure to cook them thoroughly and glaze them multiple times.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Unadon: The most common presentation, where unagi is served over a bowl of rice, as described in this recipe.
- Hitsumabushi: A Nagoya specialty where the unagi and rice are served in a special wooden tub. It's eaten in three stages: plain, with condiments (like nori, wasabi, scallions), and finally with broth poured over it.
- Kabayaki Sauce Variation: Some recipes include a small amount of grated ginger or garlic in the tare for added complexity.