All Reviews of Ogakiku

Ogakiku is a popular restaurant in Kawagoe that often has a line. If, like me, you don't enjoy waiting in crowds, I recommend avoiding peak dining hours. Get a numbered ticket when you arrive, then leisurely explore the nearby historic streets before coming back around your scheduled time to enjoy the food.

This time, besides trying the signature classic charcoal-grilled eel rice—with lightly crisp skin, a well-balanced sweet and savory sauce, and eel that melted in my mouth—I also unexpectedly ordered the chicken rice, which turned out to be excellent. It was topped with something similar to crispy egg flakes, giving it layers of flavor and a very distinctive texture. For eel rice lovers, this is definitely a delicious option not to be missed in Kawagoe. It's especially enjoyable in the cold winter, when you can duck inside and have a bowl of eel rice filled with smoky charcoal aroma.

Ogakiku is a famous century-old eel restaurant in Kawagoe. The eel skin is grilled until fragrant and crisp, while the meat is tender and delicate. Paired with the sweet savory sauce, it’s absolutely delicious. The restaurant has a strong traditional Japanese old-house atmosphere, and you can enjoy authentic unagi rice here. It’s a very popular dining spot in Kawagoe.

When I visited Kawagoe, I made a special plan to try the eel rice at Ogakiku, and it definitely did not disappoint!

My favorite was the shirayaki eel. Without any sauce, you can really taste the eel’s natural sweetness and aroma. The skin was lightly crisp, and the meat was tender with no muddy taste at all. It was honestly impressive from the first bite. Paired with steaming hot white rice, every bite was so satisfying. If you have a chance to visit Kawagoe, I highly recommend giving it a try. It’s the kind of dish you’ll fall in love with right away.

After arriving in Kawagoe, I’d suggest going to Ogakiku first to get a numbered ticket, then taking your time exploring the old town. Come back for your meal after that, and the whole trip feels much more relaxed and enjoyable.