Unagi don, or grilled eel rice bowl, is a classic Japanese dish that’s a must try! For many Westerners, eel is an exotic ingredient that may be a little intimidating. However, those who try it are rewarded with a delicate flavor and tangy sauce.
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What is Unagi Don?
Unagi don, also known as unadon or unagi donburi, is a barbecued eel fillet glazed with a sweet unagi (eel) sauce and served over a bed of white rice. In Japan, unagi don is considered a delicacy and is especially popular during the summer holiday of Obon (usually celebrated in mid July or mid August). However, it’s certainly enjoyed throughout the year as well. Like tempura and sushi, there are restaurants that specialize in preparing unagi and are known for their variety of unagi donburi served.
Are Live Eel Used in Unagi Don?
If you visit a Japanese or Asian grocery store, you may see several tanks of various live eel. While starting with live eel and preparing your unagi from scratch is delicious, I almost always start with a frozen barbecued eel when preparing unagi don and other unagi dishes. Most Japanese homes and restaurants also start with a frozen eel when preparing unagi don.
How do you Make Unagi Don?
Unagi don is very simple to prepare. In fact, the most time consuming step is cooking the rice. You can then prepare the eel while the rice is cooking. Below we walk you through this simple yet delicious recipe step-by-step:
1. Thaw your eel fillets by putting them in the fridge the night before you plan to use them. If you are in a time crunch, you can also thaw it quickly by running the package through warm water.
2. When it’s time to prepare the unagi donburi bowl, the first thing you will want to do is prepare six cups of white rice according to the instructions on the package.
Prepare the Eel (Unagi) Sauce
1. While the rice is cooking, combine the soy sauce, sugar, and mirin into a sauce pan and heat on medium heat. Mix together as the pan heats up until the mixture is combined.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil and reduce the heat to simmer.
3. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Turn off the heat and let the sauce cool. You will notice it thickening as it cools.
Prepare the Eel
1. Remove the eel fillets from their packages and place them on a plate.
2. Wipe the existing sauce from the eel with a paper towel or cloth. Many chefs don’t do this but I don’t care for the sauce that comes on the eel. I instead prefer to add my own unagi sauce to both the rice and the eel.
3. Once the sauce is removed, slice the eel in half horizontally creating two half fillets. You may need to cut the fillet into thirds depending on the size of your eel fillet and the rice bowl you are using.
4. Add the eel halves to a greased baking sheet skin side up and broil on high for six minutes. Place on the top rack so it’s around 9 inches from the heat.
Prepare the Unagi Don
1. While the eel is broiling, add around a cup and a half of rice to each bowl.
2. Drizzle one to two tablespoons of unagi sauce over the rice.
3. Once the eel is done broiling, quickly remove from the baking sheet and place over the top of the rice.
4. Drizzle some unagi sauce over the eel and garnish with sesame seeds.
5. Serve and enjoy!
Unagi Don Recipe
Unagi Don Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Bamboo Sushi Mat
- 1 Pot for cooking sushi rice
- 1 Sharp knife and cutting board
Ingredients
Eel (Unagi) Sauce
- 1/2 Cup Soy Sauce
- 1/2 Cup Mirin
- 1/2 Cup Sugar
Roll and Filling
- 6 Cups White Rice Cooked
- 2 Eel Fillets (Roughly 8 oz. apiece)
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Thaw the eel fillets by putting them in the fridge the night before you plan to use them. If you are in a time crunch, you can also thaw it quickly by running the package through warm water.
- When it's time to prepare the unagi donburi bowl, the first thing you will want to do is prepare six cups of white rice according to the instructions on the package.
Prepare the Eel (Unagi) Sauce
- While the rice is cooking, combine the soy sauce, sugar, and mirin into a sauce pan and heat on medium heat. Mix together as the pan heats up until the mixture is combined.
- Bring the mixture to a boil and reduce the heat to simmer.
- Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Turn off the heat and let the sauce cool. You will notice it thickening as it cools.
Prepare the Eel
- Remove the eel fillets from their packages and place them on a plate.
- Wipe the existing sauce from the eel with a paper towel or cloth. Many chefs don't do this but I don't love the sauce that comes on the eel. I instead prefer to add my own unagi sauce to both the rice and the eel.
- Once the sauce is removed, slice the eel in half horizontally creating two half fillets. You may need to cut the fillet into thirds depending on the size of your eel fillet and the rice bowl you are using.
- Add the eel halves to a greased baking sheet skin side up and broil on high for six minutes. Place on the top rack so it's around 9 inches from the heat.
Prepare the Unagi Don
- While the eel is broiling, add around a cup and a half of rice to each bowl.
- Drizzle one to two tablespoons of unagi sauce over the rice.
- Once the eel is done broiling, quickly remove from the baking sheet and place over the top of the rice.
- Drizzle some unagi sauce over the eel and garnish with sesame seeds.
- Serve and enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Is unagi don gluten-free?
As the unagi sauce that the eel is prepared with has a soy sauce base, you can generally assume that unagi don contains gluten unless it’s specifically stated otherwise.
Is unagi don healthy?
Japanese freshwater eel, or unagi, is very healthy containing omega-3 fatty acids along with several vitamins. I would just limit the amount of unagi sauce and white rice that you use as they are higher in calories and lower in nutritional benefits.
Is unagi don a traditional Japanese dish?
Yes. Unagi don is popular throughout Japan. In fact, there are restaurants in Japan that specialize in preparing unagi (freshwater eel) and serve a variety of unagi donburi dishes.
Final Thoughts on Unagi Don
Simple to prepare and delicious to eat, unagi don is an elegant and delicious meal. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as my family does. Happy cooking!
For more fun recipes that contain unagi, check out the below articles:
Unagi (Eel) Rolls: Step-by-Step Recipe
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