Unagiwa Yeoksam | Recharge With a Bowl of Eel Rice

With the weather constantly changing lately, a lot of people have been feeling unusually tired, right? I’d been feeling like my energy drained quickly these days too, so I was really craving a hearty meal.

That’s why I stopped by 우나기와 (a specialty eel rice bowl restaurant), a well-known eel rice bowl spot in Yeoksam, to recharge. Thanks to the tender eel soaked in a sweet-savory sauce and the calm, refined atmosphere, I ended up having a very satisfying meal.

Exterior view of Unagiwa

🏮 Stepping into a Sleek Exterior With a Calm Modern Interior

Clean entrance to Unagiwa

As soon as I arrived near the restaurant, the soft lighting and tidy exterior immediately caught my eye.

Clean and upscale restaurant interior

Once I walked in, the warm wood-toned interior paired with round lighting fixtures created a luxurious atmosphere. I also liked that every table had a tablet ordering system, making it easy to browse photos and pick dishes.

🍱 Diving into Unagiwa Favorites With Hitsumabushi vs Unadon

We ordered two of the restaurant’s signature dishes: the Mini Hitsumabushi and the Unadon.

Table setting with grilled eel in a round bowl and broth for ochazuke

First, Hitsumabushi is a Nagoya-style rice bowl that lets you enjoy finely chopped eel in several different ways. I first savored the eel on its own with the sweet signature sauce. Then I mixed in green onion, wasabi, and perilla leaves for a cleaner, fresher flavor.

For the third way, I poured in the warm broth and turned it into ochazuke. The light broth gently wrapped around the rich eel flavor and felt very comforting. Some people mix the eel into the broth as well, but I only poured it over the rice and ate the eel separately. 😄

Unadon topped with glossy eel in a rectangular box

On the other hand, the Unadon arrived with thick cuts of whole eel laid over rice in a rectangular box. Without many extra accompaniments, it let me focus entirely on the eel’s deep flavor and charcoal-grilled aroma, making the texture and balance of the eel and rice stand out beautifully.

Personally, I thought the eel in the Unadon was softer and tasted even better.

🍤 Enjoying Crispy Sweetness With Complimentary Shrimp Tempura

Crispy shrimp tempura drizzled with chili sauce

While we were enjoying our meal, a staff member brought out complimentary shrimp tempura. It was completely unexpected, so it felt like a nice little surprise. The sweet and tangy chili sauce cut through the richness of the fried coating, and the crispy texture added a fun contrast to the eel rice bowls, making the meal feel even more complete.

💡 Who Should Come Here?

1. Office workers looking for a quiet and neat place to eat near Yeoksam Station.

2. Anyone wanting to recharge with a hearty eel dish.

3. People searching for a restaurant with a pleasant atmosphere to treat parents or valued guests.

💬 Wrapping Up With a Satisfying Eel Meal

Unlike many ordinary restaurants, this was a place where I could enjoy high-quality eel rice bowls in a modern and comfortable setting, which made it feel well worth the visit. I’d gladly come back the next time I needed an energy boost. If you happen to be in the area, I’d recommend stopping by for a filling meal.

 

At a glance

📍 Location: Toward Exit 7 of Yeoksam Station

⏰ Hours: 11:00–21:00

💰 Price Range: Premium Unadon 38,000 KRW / Mini Hitsumabushi 26,000 KRW

🅿️ Parking: Public transportation recommended

 

 

Unagiwa

2F, 71 Bongeunsa-ro 30-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul