StarOcean
Kyoto, Arashiyama. Near Togetsukyo Bridge, there is a magnificent Japanese garden right across from Tenryuji Temple. This eel restaurant, owned by Hirokawa, is located on a famous tourist street representing Japan. Although reservations are required, the prices are not particularly high, ranging from 4,000 yen to 8,000 yen. I was able to make a reservation for the same evening by calling during the day on a weekday, so it doesn't seem to be a restaurant that is extremely difficult to book.
When I arrived at the restaurant, I found it to be spacious with plenty of seats. Now, let's talk about the eel dishes. The premium eel dish costs 7,370 yen including tax, while the regular eel dish costs 5,940 yen. An extra dish of eel liver costs 550 yen. The premium dish includes 1.5 eels (1 whole eel and half of another) on top of rice, while the regular dish has 1 eel on top. The eels were medium-sized, about 4 pieces per serving. The eels were steamed well, resulting in a tender texture with a rich, fatty flavor. The eel was not crispy like grilled eel but had a luxurious taste. The eel melted in the mouth, combined with the flavorful sauce, and mixed well with the firmly cooked rice. The eel had a good texture, similar to fatty tuna, and the sauce was stronger compared to other eel restaurants. In the current trend where crispy eel dishes are popular, this restaurant offers a delicious eel dish with a different style, reminiscent of the high-quality eel from the eastern region, which can be enjoyed in a tourist area in Kyoto. The portion of rice was modest, so those with a big appetite may want to opt for a larger serving.