Kubota

While waiting for unaju, you might snack on grilled eel liver or other small plates with a glass of sake. At Kubota, the meal can be more than a quick rice bowl: there is pleasure in building it around eel, one dish at a time. One diner paired sake with grilled eel liver, an assorted yakitori platter and aji nuta, then moved on to unaju after letting the restaurant know when they were ready. They described the eel as tender and fluffy, with a sauce that was neither too sweet nor too salty. The signature liver is served on a skewer, and the menu notes that it is available only while stocks last. If you would like to begin with a small dish and a drink, it may be worth ordering early.

The main event is available as unadon or unaju. A diner who had the lunchtime unadon found the eel tender and the seasoning light enough for its flavour to come through. Another enjoyed combining the sauce and sansho pepper with the rice. Unadon is a good option for lunch; for a longer meal, consider unaju or a set meal. Unaju comes in regular, upper-grade and top-grade versions. A diner who tried the upper-grade and top-grade bowls noted that both had fluffy eel, while the top-grade version stood out for its more melting texture and deeper savoury flavour. Choose an upgrade for a more substantial eel meal, or start with the regular unaju, according to your appetite and budget.

For another way to enjoy eel, consider shirayaki, Kansai-style shirayaki, uzaku or umaki. Shirayaki is available on its own, while uzaku and umaki are also listed among the small dishes. Some set courses build through several plates, with eel-bone crackers, uzaku and grilled eel liver before shirayaki or unaju. They suit a meal where you want to try a succession of dishes.

There are options for different occasions: unadon and lunch courses during the day, or small plates and set courses in the evening. The atmosphere is described as quiet, and private rooms are available. Reservations are accepted. If you would like to settle in for a particular meal, booking a table and discussing your plans may be helpful.