An eel restaurant that has been in the area of Kami-Katsura for a long time. They serve steamed and fluffy eel in the Edo style. The seating consists of three tables and two tatami rooms. Reservations fill up quickly, so it's hard to get in without one. Reservations are easier to get for dinner than for lunch. I tried the Kami-Unaju this time, but I also wanted to try the grilled eel, so I ordered that as well. It was served with grated radish, soy sauce, and a little wasabi, and the eel was so tender and delicately flavored that I couldn't help but eat it quickly. The restaurant is a 10-minute walk west from Hankyu Kami-Katsura Station, and there is parking for 5-6 cars at the back.

This is an Unagi (eel) dish with sweet sauce soaked in rice, making the eel taste delicious. The steamed eel is fluffy and easy to eat, so tasty. I usually prefer Kansai-style, but this one is delicious too. However, presentation is important, and I regret not ordering the longer eel dish that other customers were enjoying. The miso soup was rich and delicious. The rolled omelette was good. Thank you for the meal.

It's been about 2 years since my last visit. I went on a weekday just before lunchtime. There was a sign outside the restaurant saying it was fully booked with reservations. Even though the Doyo no Ushi Day has passed, this popular restaurant is still crowded. I started with a draft beer and carp sashimi, then switched to chilled sake when the grilled fish arrived. Having a drink on a weekday lunchtime is really nice. The assorted pickles that came with the set made me drink even more, and after finishing the meal, my stomach was full. I drank quite a bit, so the bill was okay, and I was very satisfied. I'll definitely come back again.

A long-established restaurant in the neighborhood where I've always wanted to go since I was a child. Finally went there after decades of wanting to go. First of all, even if you go without a reservation, you can hardly get in. Reservations are a must. This is because there are few seats, only 2 tatami rooms and 2 table seats. Inside, it has a calm atmosphere that really feels like an eel restaurant. As for the eel, I ordered the "naka-iri" (eel inside the rice) and my partner ordered the "nagashi" (eel cut long). When I took the first bite, the eel was incredibly tender... The seasoning was just right, with a sweetness that can't be imitated. It paired perfectly with the warm rice and was incredibly delicious. It's no wonder you can't get in without a reservation. I definitely want to go again next time.

I picked up lunch on the way home. Lately, the salt-grilled eel has been delicious, but today it was with sauce. The sauce was not too sweet, with a refreshing and smooth taste. Very delicious. The liver miso soup was also delicious. Eel tends to sell out, so a reservation is necessary for takeout. Reservations are required for both dining in and takeout.

Located near the Katsura River in Kyoto, around a little off Route 1 in Ue Katsura, is the eel restaurant "Issei." This restaurant offers a rare Kansai specialty, the grilled white eel set meal, which includes eel salt-grilled set, eel roll, eel pickled in vinegar, carp sashimi, and eel liver. The set meal is priced at 4,210 yen (including tax). While they also offer the usual kabayaki-style eel, if you have come all the way to the western outskirts of Kyoto, trying the white-grilled eel is a must. The eel is grilled with salt before being elegantly finished with Kyoto's high-quality crepe fish, white sesame, sansho pepper, trefoil, and wasabi. I heard that this method is the owner's unique cooking style, honed at a long-established restaurant in Arashiyama. This year, I had the opportunity to try various grades of eel before the midsummer day of the ox, and the exceptionally delicious dish I experienced makes me feel like I could stop eating eel for the rest of the season. The eels served at this restaurant are sourced from Mikawa-Isshiki in Aichi Prefecture and grilled with long charcoal, resulting in a delicious dish with the added benefit of far-infrared radiation. For more details, please visit the blog: https://blog.goo.ne.jp/sugichan_goo/e/33d2aedd8c0c858fdb07e49e761b516b

The phone was ringing constantly for reservations. There are two tatami rooms and three table seats. If you want to eat delicious eel, make a reservation early. I visited on the day of the ox in midsummer. The delicious grilled eel can only be eaten here. The salt-grilled eel was really delicious. I was sad with the last bite. It's a deliciousness that I want to keep eating. Thank you for the meal.

I wanted to boost my stamina with eel for the midsummer day of the ox. I tried to make a same-day reservation last week, but it was fully booked for two consecutive weeks. This time, I made a reservation a week in advance. This place seems to be quite popular as it has been featured on TV. Despite the rain, I visited aiming for the opening at 11:30 AM and was the first in line. I was seated in a tatami room and placed my order. I ordered the regular eel bowl for 3,500 yen and the lunch limited to 10 servings for 2,850 yen. I was prepared for a bit of a wait as they would cook it after taking the order. Thanks to being the first in line, it arrived in about 10 minutes. It had been a while since I had eel. When I opened the lid, it was surprisingly small. It wasn't very substantial. Well, I guess it can't be helped since all the ingredients have gone up in price. First, I took a bite of the eel. It was soft and fluffy, with no fishy smell, plenty of sauce, and a slightly soy sauce-heavy taste, but not too strong. Personally, I prefer a crispy texture, a grilled flavor, or a charcoal flavor. The contrast in texture, including the skin, was a bit weak. I can't help but compare it to the one I had in Shizuoka last time, which was outstanding. Overall, I think it's delicious.

Located in Kinoso-cho, Nishikyo-ku. It's about a 30-minute drive from the center of Kyoto. It's a quiet area along a public road, not particularly known for its dining scene. Climbing the outside stairs of a mixed-use building, you'll see the noren curtains twice. I successfully made a same-day reservation for 6:00 PM on a Wednesday. Arriving 10 minutes early, there were already two groups of customers. I haven't tried the eel from the well-known shop "Hirokawa" mentioned in many reviews, so I can't compare, but what stood out to me was how incredibly fluffy it was. It was so soft that it would crumble when picked up with chopsticks. When lifting the rice, the eel completely lost its shape and became like mixed rice. I think the eel is indeed tender, so I wonder if it's due to strong steaming or weak grilling. The sauce is sweet and rich. The simmered eel liver is flavorful, and the pickles are slightly salty. While the presentation is beautiful and impressive, it felt a bit out of place from the perspective of Kyoto's subtle flavor culture. However, the atmosphere of the restaurant is pleasant, and the staff are efficient and hospitable. Grateful for the luck of easily stopping by this popular restaurant. What I had this time: medium eel bowl 4,070 yen (large portion +160 yen), simmered eel liver 500 yen, red miso soup 440 yen.

On my way to Horyu-ji Temple from Niigata, I was craving eel and happened to stumble upon this restaurant. Despite being busy with reservations, they kindly accommodated us. The eel dish and soup were both warm and delicious, with the eel being particularly tender and flavorful. I would love to visit again next year.

It was my first visit to Unagi Issei in Kamikatsura, Kyoto! It's about a 5-6 minute walk from Kamikatsura Station. I went by car as there is parking nearby! There was space for about 4.5 cars to park! The menu I ordered today was the Medium Hitsumabushi Set for 4000 yen and Matcha Ice Cream for 370 yen. The evening set comes with Carp Sashimi, Uzaku, Pickles, and either Clear Soup or Red Miso Soup. I was torn between the Hitsumabushi Set and the Medium Hitsumabushi Set, but after looking it up, I found out that the Medium Hitsumabushi Set means that the eel is both on top of and inside the rice, so I decided on the Medium Hitsumabushi Set without hesitation! The value was incredible! Looking at reviews, it seems that it's always popular for both lunch and dinner, and reservations may be necessary! So, I made a reservation for 6:30 pm just in case. Miraculously, the evening was empty that day? From 6:30 pm onwards, there were only four of us! Lucky day! My sister said, "It's rare to see it this empty!" ☺️ The restaurant had both table and tatami seating. It wasn't very spacious, but it was clean and beautiful, allowing us to enjoy our meal leisurely! This meal was my first of the day, and I don't know if it was because I had eaten a couple of dishes before the Hitsumabushi, but my stomach reached its limit before finishing! Next time, I want to visit when I'm even hungrier. It was so delicious! Thank you for the meal!

Long time no see, Issei. I went with my parents the other day. I've been here a few times before and usually had the grilled eel rice bowl, but this time I tried the mixed eel rice bowl. It turned out to be a hearty dish with eel mixed inside the rice, and I ended up ordering it without knowing, so I was really stuffed. The eel was fluffy and delicious. It was consistently good, so I left satisfied.

Since it's on the second floor, there are stairs... The eel here doesn't have burnt skin. It's soft and slippery. The sauce has a complex flavor with a bit of variation. The rice is delicious! The side dishes are also good. Finally got to taste some delicious eel! 😊

I'm not very familiar with eel, but it was fluffy and delicious. The pickles were made with fresh vegetables and had just the right amount of light flavor. The clear soup was pretty standard and orthodox. The aunties serving us were full of smiles, very attentive, and engaged us in conversation. They also poured us tea often, which was lovely. They have a parking lot.

I passed by during lunchtime. I was alone, but they kindly let me sit at a table for four in the tatami room. I felt a bit sorry about it. I ordered the special eel rice bowl with a heartfelt intention. It cost a little over 5000 yen for one serving. It's a bit pricey, but considering it's eel, it's a reasonable price. However, when it was served, I was surprised. It was more splendid than I had imagined. And it was delicious! I eat eel often, but the eel here was delicious, and the grilling was exquisite. I thought that for 5000 yen, it was actually cheap. It's a good restaurant, so I would like to come back again. Thank you for the meal.

I finally got to go to Issei-san. I heard that it's a restaurant run by someone who trained in Hirokawa, so I tried making a lunch reservation before, but they said they were full and I had to postpone it. It's convenient that they have a parking lot. It's not in the most convenient location, but I live nearby. When I made the reservation, I could choose between a table or a tatami room. I chose a table. The special eel set meal was ordered. It came with eel bones, pickles, red miso soup, and a bento box. Hmm, it's delicious. Nothing wrong with it. But the dishes come out quite quickly, right? Maybe that's why the eel doesn't feel freshly grilled, and the taste is kind of soft and fluffy, like it's over already. I think it's not as good as Soraonohana (Minamisenju). The flavor of the eel itself is not that strong... The pickles didn't really go well with the eel. The dashimaki tamago had too much salt and didn't really match the eel. The pickles were a deep nukazuke, and I wonder why they chose this one. The eel aroma in my mouth turns into a nukazuke aroma. I'm sorry. It's a matter of preference, but it's not quite right. Maybe next time I'll go to Hirokawa-san, who is closer.

A popular eel restaurant near Arashiyama. The owner trained at "Hirokawa." The restaurant is steam-cooked as well. It's more convenient to drive there due to the location. There is a parking lot for 6 cars a little further away. It's on the 2nd floor of a complex facility. I made a reservation for the holiday. It seems to be fully booked for both lunch and dinner on this day. The interior is spacious with tables and tatami mats, but the seating capacity is not that large. There are many items on the menu, but they explain them properly, so it's reassuring. They use Binchotan charcoal for grilling. The eel of the day is from Mikawa Isshiki, Aichi Prefecture. ▶︎Ordered items: Special Eel Bowl (Long) 4730 yen, Salt-grilled Eel Bowl Set 4350 yen. Lunch comes with soup or red miso soup. The set meal is limited to 10 servings for lunch, including eel roll, carp sashimi, and eel simmered in soy sauce. It arrived in about 10 minutes. It seems like the steaming process is already done, similar to Hirokawa. The "Long" size has 1.5 eels without being cut in the middle. The main eel was covered with various sizes of eel pieces around 5 pieces, not visually appealing, haha. The sauce is rich with a generous amount and a dense aroma. When you taste it, the surface is grilled strongly, slightly crispy, while the inside is tender, soft, and falls apart easily. The skin is also tender and soft. The texture is good, and the fat content is moderate. It has a strong grilled flavor reminiscent of Hirokawa, with a decent finish. However, the grilling is not as good as Hirokawa in Arashiyama. The texture was slightly off balance. The eel was a bit tough. The flesh was firm, and the taste was very rich. The skin was very delicious and the eel was good. However, I felt a slight decline in freshness. The sauce is sweeter than Hirokawa in Kyoto, more like the rich type from the original Kumagaya. It has a unique richness without being overly sweet. It's slightly charred but not overly thick, and the eel flavor is strong, creating a good balance. The way the sauce is applied was good. The fragrant flavor when you put it in your mouth was lovely. The rice was ordinary, with a normal amount in the bowl. The pickles were salty. They might have adjusted it to be spicy to match the sauce. The red miso soup was also strong. I tried a bite of my companion's Salt-grilled Eel Bowl. It was fluffy, creamy, and had a good amount of fat. It's a much softer eel compared to the eel bowl. I'm not sure if they use different eels for the eel bowl and the grilled eel, or if it's just individual variation. The combination of sansho pepper and shirasu was good and tasty. However, my companion mentioned that there was a significant imbalance in salt and sansho pepper, haha. The eel roll, eel simmered in soy sauce, and carp sashimi were ordinary. The simmered eel lacked the flavor of carp, haha. Well, it wasn't as good as expected, but it was a decently tasty eel. I think it's a bit expensive. The service was polite, and there was no bad impression. Thank you for the meal!

I visited this restaurant recommended by a friend in Kyoto during a business trip. It's Edo-style, right? The eel was tender, the sauce was not too sweet or too spicy, but had a perfect balance of flavors. I think there's a secret ingredient in the sauce that gives it a unique flavor I've never experienced before. It's really intriguing. I ordered the regular eel rice bowl, so I felt a bit lacking in thickness of the eel, but overall, the service at the restaurant was good and it was a place I liked. Thank you for the meal! ✌️

The meat is tender and delicious. The staff are very friendly and accommodating. They were able to accommodate changes in time and number of people made the day before. We reserved a tatami room as we had a baby with us. It would be even better if they had private rooms.

This is Issei-San. It is a highly regarded restaurant known for serving delicious eel dishes. The technique of steaming and then grilling the eel in the Edo style results in a tender and melt-in-your-mouth eel. The shirayaki has a refined aroma of eel oil, and the freshly made eel rolls and the savory grilled liver are also outstanding.