Wakamatsuya Specialty Eel Cuisine

Founded in the late Edo period, this long-established eel restaurant is nestled along the picturesque Okinohata waterfront in Yanagawa, a town known for its canals. For nearly 160 years, Wakamatsuya has preserved its time-honored flavors, attracting loyal customers from all over Japan.

Each eel is carefully grilled by skilled artisans, achieving a crispy, fragrant exterior while keeping the inside tender and fluffy. The restaurant's signature secret sauce, passed down since its founding, enhances the eel's rich umami. A must-try dish is the "Jo Unagi Seiro Mushi", featuring thick, juicy eel served over rice infused with the house-special sauce, topped with delicate hand-grilled shredded egg, and then steamed to perfection. The steaming process allows the flavors of the eel and egg to blend harmoniously with the rice, creating an exquisite dish.
Other menu options include kabayaki (grilled eel with sauce), unadon (eel rice bowl), and suyaki (grilled eel without sauce), catering to different preferences. Additionally, guests can enjoy traditional side dishes such as uzaku (eel with vinegar and cucumber), hone senbei (crispy eel bones), and unagi maki (eel wrapped in fluffy egg).

The restaurant’s interior exudes a tranquil Japanese ambiance, offering a serene dining experience. A beautifully landscaped courtyard provides a picturesque view, allowing guests to enjoy their meal while admiring the changing seasons.