I have visited this restaurant during the January Makunouchi season for 5 consecutive years. As I always mention in my reviews, if you have a set day to visit, I recommend making a reservation. This time, I made a reservation for 12:30, and as expected, it was fully booked. The quality of this restaurant is truly remarkable. This time, I ordered the "Unaju Matsui" and "Grilled Eel Liver". The Unaju Matsui cost 4,950 yen and I would rate it 4.4 out of 5. One great thing about this place is that even with a reservation, the eel dish doesn't come out right away. Yes, they steam the eel after receiving the order. This time, it took about 40 minutes for the dish to arrive, so they may have prepared it after taking the order. Either way, you can enjoy freshly steamed or prepared eel. While waiting for the eel, you can enjoy the grilled liver with tea and look forward to the arrival of the eel. This restaurant offers a unique dining experience. Now, the eel has arrived. Let's evaluate it based on my usual criteria. 1) Fattiness: It was slightly on the lighter side this time. It may be due to individual differences in the eel. 2) Plumpness: Still very plump and delicious as always. 3) Aroma: No issues as a Kanto-style eel. Just right. 4) Sauce: Still delicious. It's sweet but not overly so. 5) Rice: The rice on this day wasn't as good. It didn't quite hit the mark, a bit too soft and moist. It seems to be a water ratio issue. When the rice is right, everything is perfect. Overall, it was delicious. The grilled liver was also excellent. I'll probably visit again around November. Thank you for the meal.

The third eel restaurant in Hokkaido is Unamei. It's about a 5-minute walk from Maruyama Koen Station. I made a reservation for the opening time this time. When I arrived 10 minutes early, many people were sitting on the bench in front of the store. It's nice that there is a roof over the bench. You can see the eels being grilled through the window in front of the store. They were diligently grilling the fresh eels. It's nice to see them being grilled just before serving. The fresh eels were also prepared in containers. The store opened exactly at 11:30. We were called in order of reservation. The interior of the store has tables and tatami mats, and the number of seats is small. It is clean and has a sense of cleanliness with the warmth of wood. There were many staff members and they were very efficient. There were also some foreign customers, but most of them seemed to be locals. The eel dishes come in different sizes based on the size of the eel, and this time I had the medium-sized bamboo dish. It seems that you can also get a free extra serving of rice, and unbelievably, free refills as well. By the way, they also served Tomisui eel. Today's eel is from Miyazaki. It is charcoal-grilled with steaming. ▶︎Ordered items: Eel dish (bamboo) 3850 yen Pickles, soup It took about 24 minutes for the food to arrive. The moment I opened the lid, I knew I was in for a treat. The fragrant aroma of charcoal and sauce, combined with the beautifully grilled eel, was enchanting. The eel was about 4.5 points. It was steamed well, and the skin side was grilled firmly. When I tasted it, it was delicious! It's really tasty. The plump and fluffy flesh had a chewy texture, and it melted in my mouth like light snow. There was no excess fat, and the soft texture had a strong umami flavor. The melting of the skin in the mouth was also good, and the texture was smooth. The freshness and quality of the eel were quite good, but what impressed me the most was the grilling. The balance of the grilling was exquisite, not too strong or too weak, with a good balance with the steaming, giving it depth. The fragrant aroma of charcoal was also very good. The sauce was a well-balanced type without sharp edges. It seemed to have a slight mirin flavor, and I also felt a bit of umami and aroma like kelp. It enhanced the eel and matched well with the grilled aroma of charcoal. I really liked this sauce. The rice was plump with a good graininess, firm, and very delicious. Each grain was lively. It went well with the soft eel, and I enjoyed the eel dish very much. The rice was not overly soaked in sauce, which was good. The pickles were average. The liver soup was decent, with a rich broth. The liver had a slight fishy smell. The mountain pepper had the best aroma and tingling sensation. With this quality and all-you-can-eat rice included, the price was quite reasonable. Hokkaido eel tends to have a certain image, but thanks to Unamei, I was saved. It has a taste similar to traditional Edo-style eel in Tokyo, and the atmosphere is similar to Hashimoto in Yaesu. I appreciated the small attentions such as greetings and refilling the water. Payment was cash only. Thank you for the meal!

I visited the restaurant as a treat to myself during the Bon festival. Since it was a busy period, I couldn't make a reservation and had to write my name at the store to wait. I was expecting natural eel, but it turned out to be farmed eel. The taste was a bit milder compared to natural eel, but the seasoning and pickles were very delicious!

"I had the "Takeeju" (extra large rice portion) and it was so delicious♫ They start accepting orders at 10:00 and open at 11:30, but there were already a lot of people lining up before 10:00 today! I almost forgot it's "Doyo no Ushi no Hi" (Midsummer Day of the Ox)!! Luckily, we were able to get in at 11:30. Tomorrow is actually the official day, so it's probably going to be even busier than today."

Soon it will be the day of the Ox in the midsummer, so I decided to get ahead and visit the top restaurant in Sapporo, "UnaAki". They open at 11:30, but it was almost fully booked with reservations. It seems like you can't make a same-day reservation, so it might be necessary to book in advance especially on weekends. The eel is prepared in the Kanto style. They start steaming it once you order, and then finish it off on charcoal. The eel is fluffy and tender when it's steamed. It's not too fatty, and has a refreshing taste. The sweetness of the sauce, the smoky aroma from grilling, and the deliciousness of the eel all hit your brain at once. It's elegant. It's too delicious. The best in Sapporo. Eel dishes tend to be heavy, but the sauce is not too rich, and the eel has just the right amount of fat, making it light and enjoyable. The fact that they steam and grill each eel individually after ordering really makes you feel the dedication of the craftsmen, and the level of excitement when you eat it is on a different level. The reason why there is always a line is clear once you taste it. Reservation is a must! Thank you for the feast!!

I received a serving of eel on rice - it was delicious! The eel was tender and had a good texture, and the sauce was light but flavorful. It paired perfectly with freshly cooked rice. If you prefer a more refined taste rather than a heavy meal, this eel dish is perfect for you. It was seriously delicious.

"I had the 'takeju' (extra large rice portion). It was delicious♫ I usually put sansho pepper directly on eel, but this time I tried putting it on the rice first. It was a good idea. However, it's a bit troublesome to move the eel aside to put the sansho pepper on the rice haha. Thanks to the delicious eel, I feel like I can get through the tough work starting the day after tomorrow. Thank you for the meal."

"I had the 'Takeju' (extra large rice) and it was delicious♫ The owner told me they had freshwater eel today, but I only had 5,000 yen in my wallet! I couldn't afford it (cries) I usually use electronic money for transactions, so I didn't have any cash on me."

I've been hesitating to visit this eel restaurant for a while because it seemed a bit intimidating. I finally decided to go for a refreshing change of pace. I ordered the special eel dish and some beer, which came with grilled eel bones as a snack. The grilled eel bones were salty and crispy, really delicious! The eel dish was quite expensive at 1,100 yen, but the server kindly offered a half portion which turned out to be more than enough. The eel and rice were served separately, and the eel was perfectly cooked with a delicious sauce. The rice was also very tasty. Overall, it was a great experience for my first time at an eel restaurant. I enjoyed the meal!

During a visit after the New Year's shrine visit, I was surprised to find that it was not as crowded as I expected for this season. Many others seemed to have the same thought. Although I had to wait about 20 minutes due to reservations and first-come-first-served basis, the atmosphere inside the shop was calm and traditional with a white wooden Japanese-style design. I was guided to a raised seating area without a counter. It seemed like they were well-versed in the art of service as I did not have to share the seating with others. Since it was New Year's, I received a complimentary bottle of sake. I enjoyed some bone crackers as I waited for my dish - a whole eel on rice (unaju). The eel was cooked perfectly without any unpleasant smell, and the rice was paired well with it. The sauce was a bit different from what I expected, perhaps to bring out the umami flavor of the eel. The pickles and clear soup were light and complemented the eel nicely. I was intrigued by the use of Japanese pepper, which had a hint of citrus flavor. This was a new experience for me, and I was impressed by the evolution of spices. There was also a description of the premium eel brand, which I look forward to exploring in the future.

I arrived just before the last order at 1:30 pm, so I was able to get in quite easily! It's usually very crowded. The chef prepares the eel alone, so there is a bit of a wait. However, the eel was so tender and fluffy, the best taste! This time, I had the Matsutake eel. There are only 6 seats in the restaurant, so timing is important! Thank you for the delicious meal. I am completely satisfied with the taste.

I made a reservation by phone one month before visiting the restaurant. There were only 2 slots left for my desired date, so I was relieved to secure a reservation. The parking lot had plenty of spaces but was not very large, so I had trouble deciding where to park my big car. Although I was interested in the white grilled eel, as it was my first visit, I decided to go with the eel rice bowl. The eel rice bowl comes in four different options: Special, Pine, Bamboo, and Plum. After placing my order, I was asked to move to a different table due to the arrangement with other customers. The staff were very polite and explained the reason for the move, so I quickly relocated. After moving, they brought me warm tea and eel bone crackers, which was a nice touch. The warm hospitality was truly impressive. Now, about the eel rice bowl. Simply put, it was delicious. The true taste of eel, with a gentle sauce. I was moved by the warm service. This is definitely a restaurant I would like to visit again for special occasions. (Visited in October 2022)

Visited for the first time in September 2022. Tried to eat eel in Sapporo for a change. Made a reservation in advance but it was fully booked. Was told that if there were any cancellations, I could eat without a reservation. Managed to secure the first slot while waiting outside before the opening time at 11:30. Passed the time by visiting the Hokkaido Shrine. - Grilled eel (bamboo skewer): Fluffy texture but the taste was average. The amount of fat was a bit lacking. - Eel rice bowl (pine): Fluffy texture but the taste was average. The amount of fat was not enough. The rice was very delicious, making the eel feel insufficient. - Eel liver (included in the eel rice bowl set): Average taste. The rice was very delicious, the service was good, and the restaurant was clean. It's just my personal preference, but unfortunately, the eel itself did not meet my taste. I will stick to eating eel in Tokyo in the future.

Today, I visited Hokkaido Jingu Shrine for the Inu no Hi (Dog Day) prayers, and decided to treat myself to a nice meal in the afternoon. Even though the restaurant's information on Tabelog said reservations were required, I called in the morning and found out they were fully booked for the day... I was disappointed. However, I didn't give up and decided to try my luck as a walk-in customer. We arrived at 12:30 and luckily managed to secure the last available spot. Phew, that was close. We had to wait a bit, but the staff were friendly and suggested we could walk around a nearby cafe while waiting, so we didn't feel too stressed and eventually got our meal. Highlights: 1. Delicious. It somehow reminded me of Sapporo-style eel. The eel was soft and tender, and the sauce was flavorful and well-balanced between sweet and salty. The use of grapefruit sansho pepper added a fruity and spicy touch. It was really tasty. 2. Generous portions. The eel servings were huge. We ordered the Bamboo (around 4,000 yen) for my wife and the Pine (around 5,000 yen) for myself. The Pine set was so big that it almost overflowed. The Bamboo set might be more than enough for a regular meal. The Pine set is perfect if you're really hungry or want to feel like you've conquered the eel. I might go for the Bamboo set next time. One thing to note, this restaurant only accepts cash payments. So, be careful not to get too carried away with your self-satisfaction, like I did, and end up borrowing money from your wife (who is 5 months pregnant and on leave). Be mindful till the end.

If you want to eat eel in Sapporo, this popular shop is the place to go. The atmosphere is fresh and new, with many young staff members. I ordered a perfectly sized eel dish. The eel itself had a very gentle flavor, and I finished it all in no time. Eel eaten in a restaurant is so delicious!

I wanted to go to a restaurant near my house but couldn't get in without a reservation. Finally, I had some time so I was able to go. They were fully booked for phone reservations, but they accept walk-ins starting at 10 am, so I arrived 15 minutes early. There was already one man waiting when I got there. Several other groups arrived before 10 am. I'm glad I came early. They take your phone number and you can come back later, basically making a same-day reservation. If you just show up without a reservation, they might say they're fully booked for the day, so be careful. I arrived at 11:30 am and ordered the special, which was half a grilled eel. It came with eel liver and pickles. You can choose the size of the rice - I chose small. It took about 40 minutes for the food to arrive after ordering. When it came, the eel and rice were served in separate tiers. You can pour the sauce over it as you like. They used to use Kyoto's Nanamiya's sansho pepper, but now they've switched to grape sansho. It seems they have a shortage of the original ingredients, but they shouldn't have to mention that... The eel was tender and delicious. It seemed like the portion of half an eel was a bit small, but it was tasty so I'm satisfied. Thank you for the meal!

There are several eel restaurants in Sapporo, but this one stands out for me. The charming building and atmosphere create a sense of anticipation. I went for lunch and ordered the bamboo set for 3,850 yen. The eel was tender, fatty, and delicious, making the rice disappear quickly. I opted for extra rice and finished it easily because it was so tasty. Although it's a bit pricey and I can't go often, I definitely want to go back.

This year's hot summer. Wasn't the hottest days the longest? Suddenly, there was a week when the temperature dropped. I couldn't eat much during this time, and by the weekend, I couldn't move my body. It was like a summer fatigue? I had eel on the midsummer day of the ox, but still got summer fatigue. In such times!! Eel is the answer! The best, most delicious eel is here. We went for lunch early, but was it fully booked? We were the last ones for lunch. Oh, it's because of the Bon festival? People eat eel during the Bon festival? Anyway, it was good that we were able to get a spot for lunch. We spent about an hour and a half elsewhere. When we were called back, they said, "Sorry to keep you waiting~" This is true hospitality! The restaurant was full, everyone was enjoying their eel. There was a special Bon festival menu, and we ordered: ◆ Matsutake (large eel, 1 fish) for 4920 yen. One with less rice. I wanted to have it with beer... The eel in the box was packed tightly! No, the tail part was folded to fit in. One bite... Mmm, delicious!! The fat was rich, the thick flesh was tender and juicy. This is truly the source of energy! This place has definitely become a special eel restaurant. I'm glad I came here. This eel is gradually restoring my strength. Once again, thank you for the delicious eel. It was really delicious. Thank you for the meal.

*Unakei. 3-1 Kitaku Sapporo, Chuo-ku, Hokkaido, Japan.* *This was the first time in my life that I found eel to be so delicious... It was fluffy, juicy, and the sauce was just the right amount, making it very luxurious... I arrived at 10 am and was the fourth in line. It's incredibly popular!*

I recommend making a reservation in advance. The service, including the waiting time at the reception, is excellent, as expected from a busy restaurant. I imagine the landlady's leadership is responsible for this. The prices are reasonable for the upscale residential area of Maruyama. During my stay, most customers only ordered the eel rice bowl. The eel rice bowl was average. The total bill was 11,950 yen, with a non-alcoholic beer for 385 yen. A complimentary bone senbei was provided. The liver skewer was 550 yen, the eel liver was 1,320 yen, the white broiled eel was 4,730 yen, and the eel rice bowl was 4,950 yen. Personally, I found the white broiled eel a bit off, as I prefer to taste the eel itself without the added mirin. I usually order white broiled eel first when trying a new restaurant, so I didn't read the menu description. I apologize for that. Some restaurants focus on the combination of white broiled eel with wasabi soy sauce, while others emphasize the simplicity of the dish. Some places only serve white broiled eel, while others use unique ingredients like caviar. The eel culture is evolving. This may seem like a presumptuous and disrespectful comment, but as a local, I dare to say that while Sapporo has sushi restaurants that can compete on a national level, the eel culture in Sapporo is still developing. I hope that the next generation of restaurants in Sapporo will break free from traditional training and pursue the head chef's individuality, potentially allowing them to soar on a national scale. Due to the differing concepts of white broiled eel, I will refrain from giving a taste or overall evaluation.

This year, I only visited the restaurant once on July 28th. I arrived at the shop at 11:30 and it was already 13:30. I spent time admiring the lavender at Horomui Pass and making a New Year's visit to Hokkaido Shrine. Finally, at 13:15, I entered the shop "Unamei" for the first time. I had the eel rice bowl with plum for 3,300 yen (less rice). The farmed eel was delicious. The sansho pepper here is refreshing and nice! The raw sansho pepper has a green color, which can be mistaken for matcha salt. After us, several groups entered and the lunch service ended. The delicious eel was satisfying, and I feel like I can endure the hot summer now.