Your first unaju: unadon, kabayaki, shirayaki and hitsumabushi explained

An unagi restaurant menu may show similar-looking photographs labelled unaju, unadon and kabayaki. Which should you order if you want eel served with rice?

The first thing to know is that the serving dish, the cooking method and the way you eat the meal have different names. Rather than memorising complicated rules, check what comes with your order.

First, look at the difference in the vessels between unaju and unadon.

"unadon" is the name of the rice bowl, and "unaju" is the name of the dish served in the box. However, in addition to the differences in the utensils, restaurants may also change the quantities and garnishes, so please take a look at the photos and explanations.¹

It is not a rule common to all stores that "unaju is always higher quality than unadon." For example, on the official menu of Mishima's Sakuraya, if the number of fish is the same, unadon and Jubako are listed at the same price. The key is not to judge the quality of the contents just by the name of the container.²

If you want to know the amount for one person, ask the store clerk, ``What's the difference in the amount of eel?'' Notations such as "one fish" or "half fish" can help you think about the amount, but it doesn't necessarily mean that the size of the fish or the amount of rice is the same.Say it in Japaneseうなぎの量はどう違いますか

kabayaki is the name of the dish. Please check separately if it comes with rice.

When you want to enjoy grilled eel with sauce, the name that comes to mind is "kabayaki". However, just by looking at the characters kabayaki, you cannot tell whether or not it will come with rice.

On the menu of Komagata Maekawa, kabayaki, which is a "meal" that comes with rice, soup, etc., and kabayaki, which is a "dish with eel", are listed separately. This is an example where the composition of a meal is different depending on the ordering column, even though the name of the dish is the same.³

If you're confused for the first time, look at the explanations just below the dish name, such as "rice," "clear soup," and "pickles." If you still don't understand, show them the picture and ask, "Does this come with rice?" It's easier to decide what to include for a meal in the first place, rather than ordering a single item and then hastily adding more items.

shirayaki is a different option from seasoning sauce.

shirayaki is a dish that is distinguished from cooking with sauce like kabayaki. The seasonings and way of eating differ depending on the restaurant, so it's best to ask the restaurant's instructions on how to use what they serve. Even in Maekawa and Sakuraya, shirayaki and kabayaki are available as separate menus.³²

This is an entry point where you can choose without deciding that all Japanese eel tastes like the same sweet sauce, but you don't have to order both for the first time. Please check the quantity and ordering conditions first, such as whether it will be a meal with rice or whether multiple people can share a single dish.

Please do not judge whether this product is suitable for allergies or specific dietary restrictions based on the name shirayaki. Let the store know your requirements, including seasonings and garnishes.

hitsumabushi is a dish that can be enjoyed in different ways.

hitsumabushi is served with chopped eel and rice, and can be enjoyed with condiments and soup stock. Atsuta Horaiken also introduces this dish as a combination of eel, rice, condiments, and dashi.⁴

You can enjoy it first by eating it as is, then by adding condiments, and finally by adding dashi. However, give priority to the restaurant's explanation regarding the contents of the meal and the recommended order. It will be easier to compare the changes in flavor if you don't pour the dashi into the entire large bowl from the beginning, but if you have a small bowl, you can portion it out and try it.

Asakusa Unatetsu also has salt hitsumabushi in addition to regular hitsumabushi. Each store has different options under the name "hitsumabushi," so be sure to check the menu to see which flavor you'd like to order.⁵

When looking at prices, check three things.

First, is it a single item or a meal set? Next, the amount of eel and rice. Finally, are there any additional charges such as service charges or room charges? If you look at the dishes in this order, you won't have to compare prices just by the name of the dish.

For example, at Maekawa's Asakusa main store, there is a notice that a service charge will be added after 16:00, and at the Shinmaru Building store after 17:00. This is an example of different conditions depending on the branch even if the store name is the same. Check the final payment terms on the reservation screen or store information.³⁶

Short order words that can be used as is

"One unaju, please." can be used to request one serving of unaju. You can also point to pictures of the food while explaining.Say it in Japaneseうな重を一つお願いします。

When you want to check the contents, ask, ``Does it come with rice and soup?'' When you want to know the amount, ask, ``What is the difference in amount between these two things?'' If you want to check including additional charges, ask ``How much will it cost in total?'' There's no need to remember all the complicated names of dishes.Say it in Japaneseご飯とお吸い物は付いていますかこの二つは、量がどう違いますか全部でいくらになりますか

Before you start eating, it's a good idea to taste the food a little and then try the seasonings that come with it. Rather than guessing the correct order, try finding your favorite way to enjoy Japanese eel.

Check the source/official information (6 items)

1. Seiyu Eel “About unadon and unaju”. Check official information . Online confirmation: September 28, 2026.↩

2. Eel Sakuraya "Eel Sakuraya: Menu". Check official information . Online confirmation: September 28, 2026.↩

3. Komagata Maekawa "Komagata Maekawa: Asakusa main store". Check official information . Online confirmation: September 28, 2026.↩

4. Atsuta Houraiken ``Atsuta Houraiken: hitsumabushi and explanation of dishes''. Check official information . Online confirmation: September 28, 2026.↩

5. Asakusa Unatetsu "Asakusa Unatetsu: Menu". Check official information . Online confirmation: September 28, 2026.↩

6. Komagata Maekawa "Komagata Maekawa: Shinmaru Building Store". Check official information . Online confirmation: September 28, 2026.↩