Unagi Don (Japanese Grilled Eel Rice Bowl)

This recipe for Unagi Don is a simple, decadent Japanese dish featuring grilled eel glazed with a sweet and savory sauce served over steamed rice.

What is unagi?

Unagi is freshwater eel in Japanese and is a delicacy in Japanese cuisine.

The eel is commonly prepared kabayaki-style, which is grilled over charcoal and basted with a tare sauce made from soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar, similar to making chicken yakitori.

It has a rich, slightly sweet flavor with a soft, melt-in-your-mouth, yet flaky texture.

What is unagi don?

Unagi means eel and don refers to "donburi," which means "rice bowl" (a one-bowl meal of rice topped with various ingredients).

Unagi Don, also known as unadon, is a Japanese dish featuring grilled freshwater eel glazed with a sweet and savory unagi sauce, which is served over a bed of steamed rice.

The eel is perfectly charred and caramelized, with a glossy unagi sauce (sweetened soy glaze), which complements the sushi rice underneath it. 

Why you'll love this recipe

Comforting & delicious: unagi eel has a rich umami flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture, making this dish satisfying and delicious.

Easy to make: using store-bought frozen pre-grilled unagi eel shortens the cooking process, making this a quick yet delicious meal.

Balanced flavors: the caramelized glaze and tender, smoky eel pairs perfectly with the hot steamed rice.

Minimal ingredients: you'll only require a few ingredients to make this restaurant-worthy dish at home.

Ingredients you'll need

• cooked short-grain Japanese sushi rice: use my guide on how to steam rice in a rice cooker and sub in Japanese sushi rice for the jasmine rice
• pre-cooked unagi eel: comes in a package, typically frozen in Asian supermarkets or Japanese grocery stores. It is already fully cooked, and you can reheat from frozen (no need to thaw beforehand)

Optional garnishes

• toasted sesame seeds: white or black
• nori seaweed: shredded
• pickled ginger
• microgreens or chopped green onions: for a touch of freshness
• ikura: salmon roe

How to cook unagi don at home

Make the unagi sauce: simmer the homemade tare sauce for a glossy, caramelized finish with deep flavor.

Prepare the rice: cook short-grain Japanese rice according to your preferred method.

Reheat the unagi: warm up the BBQ grilled eel in the oven, on the stove, or in the microwave.

Assemble: serve the unagi over hot steamed rice, drizzle with extra sauce, and garnish with toasted sesame seeds.

How to serve

Serve the unagi don rice bowl with other sides, such as miso soup, wakame salad, goma-ae spinach salad, or pickled vegetables.

How to store

Store the grilled eel in a separate container from the unagi sauce and rice in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Do not re-freeze.

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