Ichinoya

Manage to book for 7 person on 29th October 2023 2 weeks before by emailing our hotel. As the time slot we get was 1pm and scare we wouldn't have enough time to enjoy the food. Thus, we get our hotel receptionist to help us make our food orders the day before our visit to avoid the 50min grill eel waiting time. The hospitality of the servants are excellent and accommodative. This is our first time trying fresh unagi and its delicious. Recommend to order Umaki (Rolled Eel Omelette) very fluffy, shirayaki (must try) and unajyu.

Unagi that melts in your mouth, and the right amount of rice (might be too little for others). Price is high but I think you pay for the 落ち着いて environment. my box took about 50 min to be served but I actually appreciate the time spent waiting for it to be cooked fresh in the back and the slow-down pace. Definitely enjoyed my meal here. If you just care about the food then perhaps you can find somewhere else.

The restaurant Ichinoya is famous for its freshwater eel orうなぎ. It was established originally in Kawagoe, Saitama Prefecture, in 1832 or « tempo 3 (天保3年) .
Beside this Shinsen branch, it has also another branch in Nishi-Azabu, and the Kawagoe original location is still very popular.
The interior is very pleasant, Edo-style, with wooden flooring, and you should take your shoes off at the entrance.
Reservation is normally required but we had two seats without any problem.
You may choose the counter or private room for 4 persons maximum, the one with view on a small garden beneath is very nice.
We hesitated between the Superior Eeel menu or “jo unadon (上うな重)”and the Eel full course menu “Unagi Course (うなぎコース)” and we went for the latter, which was absolutely delicious, We recommend some ume-shu (plum liquor) or sake with the meal.
It is between 6,000 and 10,000 yens per person at lunch but worth the value.
We liked also the decoration, and paintings on the wall from Shikō Munakata (棟方志功) (1903-1975)