あるぱかーん
Fujita, the eel restaurant, is a well-known establishment that has been selected as one of the top 100 eel restaurants. While the shop in Hamamatsu is particularly famous, it is not a branch of the original shop. The previous owner in Hamamatsu was in the eel farming business, and his son opened a shop in Hino, while his brother opened a shop in their hometown of Hamamatsu. Therefore, although the grilling method and sauce may be similar, they are different. The shop in Shirogane is run by the daughter of the owner of the Hamamatsu shop. Thus, while Hamamatsu and Shirogane are sister shops, they are not related to the Hino shop. The restaurant is more popular among locals than tourists due to its location. The parking and bicycle parking facilities are well-equipped. The interior of the restaurant has counter seats, tables, and tatami seating, with many lively staff members. The staff are all very friendly and provide excellent service. I visited on a Sunday at 12:00 to reserve an eel dish. There were about six groups waiting, but the turnover was fast, and I was seated in about 15 minutes. The eel used in the dishes is sourced from Lake Hamana, as the restaurant is in the eel farming business. Since it is a popular restaurant, they are constantly steaming the eel. The finishing touch is grilling over Kishu Binchotan charcoal. It is possible to make a reservation for a seat, and if it gets crowded, they can hold the eel for you. It is recommended to reserve in advance during this time to avoid items being sold out. The eel dish I ordered was the "Unaju Kawahagi" for 3080 yen, which came with liver soup and pickles. The dish arrived in less than 30 minutes, and upon opening the lid, a fragrant charcoal aroma wafted out. The eel was of a size that was a bit thin, about 4.5 points. The surface was grilled well, with the skin being lightly grilled. The steaming was well done, and due to the strong grilling, it did not fall apart even when picked up with chopsticks. The sauce was not too much, and it was not burnt. The eel was indeed a bit thin, so it did not have a plump texture, but it was soft and well-grilled. The balance of steaming and grilling was good, and the eel was not only tender but also had the deliciousness of grilling, with a smooth and slightly eel-like aroma. The quality and freshness of the eel were good, and the fat added a mellow and delicious richness. The skin was lightly grilled and not fishy, so it was not a concern. The sauce was very tasty, with a light sweetness and a strong umami flavor. It had a sharp finish that complemented the eel well. The rice was slightly firm and delicious, with each grain standing out, showing the restaurant's commitment. While it was not extremely surprising, there were no particular flaws, and it was indeed delicious. It is understandable why it is popular at this price. By the time I left the restaurant around 13:00, the eel was sold out! Especially on weekends during this season, it might be a good idea to reserve just the eel dish to be safe. Thank you for the meal!