Verified [Verified] denotes information that has been published with confirmation of its owing parties.
Nagoya hitsumabushi crafted with the fragrance of Bincho charcoal and Japanese-grown rice.
Maruya Honten Meieki 3-chome is a hitsumabushi specialty restaurant located a five-minute walk from Nagoya Station. It is known for its hitsumabushi made with eel grilled over Bincho charcoal until fragrant, paired with 100% Japanese-grown rice. A sweet tare based on traditionally made tamari soy sauce brings out the eel’s natural umami, earning strong support from locals and tourists alike.
The signature dish is "Hitsumabushi Jyo (Deluxe)." It offers a three-step way to eat: enjoy the eel and rice as is, change up the flavor with condiments, and pour dashi (Japanese soup stock) over it for an ochazuke-style (tea-rice) finish. They also offer a wide selection of single dishes that pair well with sake, including "Shirayaki" (eel grilled without brushing on tare) and "Umaki" (eel wrapped in a rolled omelet).
The interior is a Japanese-modern space centered around unfinished light wood. It offers table seating, counter seating, and semi-private rooms, making it suitable for everyone from solo diners to groups. Takeout and gift items are also plentiful. You can enjoy them at a hotel or on the Shinkansen, too. You can get there via the underground mall Unimall, making it easy to access even on rainy days. It is an easy place to stop by between sightseeing and travel.
"Hitsumabushi Jyo (Deluxe)" (with soup and pickles)
"Shirayaki" for enjoying eel in a simple way
"Umaki" to enjoy its freshly grilled, fluffy texture
Entrance to Maruya Honten Meieki 3-chome
A natural Japanese-style interior space
Semi-private rooms are also available, so you can relax and take your time.
Frequently Asked Questions have been vetted and answered directly by each listing.
Q
Can I make a reservation?
Reservations are accepted by phone or via the reservation site on the official website.
Q
What are the busiest times?
It is often crowded on weekends and holidays from 12:00 pm-1:00 pm and 6:00 pm-8:00 pm.
Q
Are there sister locations of Maruya Honten Meieki 3-chome?
They operate nine locations in total, mainly in Aichi Prefecture, with locations in Tokyo and Osaka as well.
Some reviews are AI-translated.
When you come to Nagoya, you have to try hitsumabushi!
First, enjoy it plain. Then add scallions and wasabi. Finally, pour in the hot broth and turn it into ochazuke. Every way of eating it was so good I couldn’t stop.
It was so delicious that I completely forgot to take a photo when it arrived. By the time I snapped back to reality, all that was left was an empty bowl. I’d honestly come back to Nagoya just for this meal. Definitely add it to your plans!
How could you come to Nagoya and miss hitsumabushi?
This time I visited Maruya Honten, about a 5-minute walk from Nagoya Station, and the aroma of charcoal-grilled eel hit me as soon as I walked in.
Their signature hitsumabushi was seriously amazing. For the first serving, you enjoy the simple, original flavor of the eel and rice. The eel skin was lightly charred and fragrant, while the meat was tender and delicate. I didn’t notice any bones at all, and the texture was super pleasant.
For the second serving, you add seasonings for a more layered flavor. Finally, you pour in the broth to make it like ochazuke. It was warm, smooth, and comforting, with a different surprise in every bite.
What impressed me most was how carefully the eel was prepared. There was none of that bony feeling I had imagined, so even people who are usually nervous about fish bones can dig in with confidence. Paired with the sweet-savory sauce and chewy rice, it was impossible to stop eating!
If you’re making a must-eat list for Nagoya, hitsumabushi absolutely needs to be on it. This meal was totally worth it!
After the first way of eating, adding green onions and wasabi was also really great 👍
The chazuke-style with tea poured over the rice was totally different.
It was my first time trying it and it felt super unique.
![[1-Night, 2-Day Nagoya City Model Course] Enjoy Nagoya Meshi and a Historic City! A Lively Nagoya Getaway](https://static.gltjp.com/glt/data/article/22000/21347/20260325_002224_a8929ac3_w640.webp)