mafu
In April 2021, I visited a newly opened eel restaurant in the city. Located within walking distance from Karasuma and Kawaramachi, and close to Nishiki Market, it seemed to attract many tourists due to its relatively large size and clean exterior. On a midday during a three-day weekend in September, I casually walked in around 1 pm. The place was not crowded, and it didn't seem like reservations were necessary at the moment. The seating was spacious and the atmosphere was pleasant with no unpleasant odors. The staff consisted of several young female part-time employees. One of the highlights of this restaurant is the opportunity to compare and taste three different brands of eel: Tenku Unagi, Tosanigossou, and Chikushi Kin Unagi. I decided to try all three in a grilled eel set (2,700 yen). Each brand was served with two pieces, freshly prepared. The Tenku Unagi was light and elegant, Tosanigossou had a traditional eel flavor, and Chikushi had a soft texture with just the right amount of fat. After trying them all, I chose Tosanigossou for my eel rice bowl, as it had the most distinct eel flavor. The eel rice bowl options included half a tail, 3/4 tail, or a whole tail, with an additional option for liver at 200 yen. The sauce was lightly sweet and just a small amount was enough. Overall, I found this eel bowl to be the most enjoyable. If you prefer Kanto-style eel or a fluffy texture, you might prefer Chikushi, especially if you are a woman. For those who appreciate the taste of natural eel, Tenku might be the best choice. I also had the opportunity to try the natural eel from Lake Biwa that was available that day. If you have the chance, I recommend comparing Tenku with the natural eel to see the difference. The liver sashimi had a rich flavor but was slightly intense. The grilled liver (900 yen) was decent, but it could have been cooked a bit longer to bring out more of the smoky flavor. However, this unique way of serving eel is not something I have encountered in Kansai, making it an interesting experience. Overall, it's a great place to enjoy eel in a relaxed setting.