Dinner at Ichi Unagi (一鰻)

Dinner at Ichi Unagi (一鰻)

at Ichi Unagi (一鰻) on 16 August 2026
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I made a reservation by phone for noon on Sunday and visited the restaurant.I ordered the Unagi Donburi (JPY 8,800).First, I was served "Unagi no Nikogori" (unagi jelly) and pickles, along with freshly grated wasabi right in front of me.- **Food and Taste** The unagi was impressive, overflowing from the rice bowl, and the grilling and tenderness of the fish were undeniably delicious. Eating it with fresh wasabi instead of sansho pepper was also a nice touch. However, considering the location in Ito and the price of JPY 8,800, I felt that it was expected to be good at this price, and it didn’t exceed my high expectations.- **Service Time and Operation** There were six customers, including us, who arrived at the same time, but the dishes were served two at a time. It was puzzling that even with the same reservation time, the timing of the grilling was off, leading to differences in eating and waiting times. It took 45 minutes for the food to be served.- **Atmosphere and Service** Rather than a refined tranquility, the atmosphere felt stiff and uncomfortable. Speaking inside the restaurant created an unspoken pressure, resulting in a constant feeling of discomfort and tension. The owner is a skilled "unagi artisan," but I personally felt that the service and management of the restaurant would be better handled by someone else. Additionally, there was no reservation system like TableCheck; only phone reservations were accepted, and payment was cash only.- **Overall Evaluation** While the quality of the unagi itself is high, the overall experience is not comfortable. This place is suited for those who want to eat unagi grilled by a craftsman in a stoic, silent manner.

7 / 10