A renowned eel restaurant in Kanagawa Prefecture, Unagi Tei Tomoe has proudly held a Michelin one-star rating for four consecutive years.Located in the Kazamatsuri area, on the way from Odawara to Hakone, this establishment exclusively uses the finest quality eels, including the rare "Ao Unagi" (blue eel), selected for their optimal condition during each season.One of the restaurant's attractions is that they serve larger eels, approximately 330g, compared to the typical 200g.The restaurant boasts a beautiful Japanese-style exterior, complete with benches for waiting and parking facilities. Inside, the atmosphere reflects the elegance of a long-established eatery, featuring counter seats, table seating, tatami rooms, and private rooms.While reservations for seats are not available, you can reserve eels and livers in advance. Upon arrival, guests check in and wait for their turn.─────I called ahead to reserve eels and visited on the day of my reservation.Unfortunately, the popular "freshly cut liver" was already sold out at the time of my reservation, so I requested to be placed on the cancellation list.I arrived around noon during a three-day weekend and checked in, only to be informed that the wait would be approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.This time, I preferred seating other than at the counter.I spent the waiting time in my car and at the nearby "Suzukawa Kamaboko no Sato." After a little over two hours, I received a call.Upon returning to the restaurant, I was guided to a tatami room on the second floor. It was quieter and more spacious than the first floor, providing a relaxing environment to enjoy my meal.Since I had already ordered my dishes at the time of reservation, I only requested drinks upon arrival.Regrettably, I was unable to enjoy the "freshly cut liver" that I had been waiting for.〇 Junsei Premium Bottled Beer JPY 1,200〇 Banshu Ikko, Natsukara Junmai Ginjo (1 go) JPY 1,000This sake from Hyogo Prefecture has a light mouthfeel with a crisp finish, making it pleasant even in hot weather.▪️ Unaju JPY 8,000 (tax included)- Liver soup- 5 types of pickles- Free rice refills (white rice or sauce rice)The eels used at Tomoei weigh about 330g. If you can't finish, they also offer takeout options.As soon as I opened the lid of the beautifully lacquered box, the enticing aroma of grilled eel wafted up. The sight of the generously arranged large eels was impressive.The beautifully grilled eel, with its glossy finish, heightened my expectations.As I took a bite, I was amazed at how tender it was, almost falling apart with minimal effort. The fluffy texture from the steaming, characteristic of the Kanto style, harmonized perfectly with the savory grilling.The rich umami of the eel and the sweetness of its high-quality fat spread across my palate, with the fragrant flavor wafting through my nose. The secret sauce, which is a closely guarded recipe, was perfectly balanced, enhancing the natural taste of the eel without being overly strong.I savored half of it as is, and for the latter half, I added just a hint of sansho pepper. The refreshing aroma created a pleasant change in the flavor of the grilled eel.The size of 330g was more substantial than I had imagined. I felt completely satisfied without needing to order a large rice portion, and by the time I finished, I was thoroughly full.I enjoyed the five types of pickles as palate cleansers, and concluded with the liver soup to refresh my mouth.─────This renowned restaurant allows you to fully appreciate the deliciousness of the rare blue eel, and it’s easy to see why so many people travel from all over the country to visit.The tender, flaky texture, the elegant sauce that enhances the eel's flavor, and the perfect grilling technique all boast a high level of excellence.From the check-in to the phone call for seating, the service was consistently polite, making it a pleasant experience even in a busy restaurant.Not only the food but also the meticulous hospitality made me want to return to this remarkable establishment.
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