f you’re looking to experience traditional Japanese cuisine in a truly local setting, Unagi Kabuto in Shinjuku’s Omoide Yokocho is a must-visit.
Founded in 1948, this tiny eatery grills every part of the eel over binchotan charcoal, offering a rare and authentic taste that has remained unchanged for more than 70 years.
🐟 A Historic Unagi Spot in Omoide Yokocho
Located in the nostalgic alley of Omoide Yokocho near Shinjuku West Exit, Unagi Kabuto has been serving eel since 1948.
Here, every part of the eel—from the head and fins to the liver and tail—is grilled over high-quality binchotan charcoal and served on skewers.
The compact eatery has just 11 counter seats, with a vintage interior steeped in more than 70 years of history.
Iconic details include the aged lighting and a photo of the previous owner grilling eel, adding to the nostalgic charm.
🍢 The “Hitotori” Set: A Full Eel Experience
Most visitors order the “Hitotori” set, a selection of skewers featuring various eel parts.
On the day of our visit, the set included:
- Hire-yaki (Tail fins) – Crispy outside, tender inside, brushed with rich eel sauce and grilled to perfection.
- Kimo-yaki (Liver) – A mix of textures with a pleasant bitterness, pairing well with sansho pepper or shichimi spice.
- Kabayaki (Grilled fillet) – Soft, slightly fatty eel with a sweet-savory sauce.
Sets vary depending on availability; ours came with 6 skewers instead of the usual 7 due to some items being sold out.
🍺 Drinks and Side Dishes
Pair your skewers with a cold beer (Asahi or Kirin), sake, or shochu.
The Oshinko (pickles)—featuring shallots and onions—make a perfect palate cleanser alongside the rich eel flavors.
🍶 Insider Drinking Tips from Regulars
A unique touch at Unagi Kabuto is the bottle of ume syrup on each table.
Regulars add a few drops to their shochu for a refreshing twist, or even lick the leftover sauce from their skewer plates between sips—a true “local” way to enjoy the meal.
📍 Shop Info
- Name: Unagi Kabuto
- Address: 1-2-11 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo (Omoide Yokocho)
- Nearest Station: Shinjuku Nishiguchi Station (2-min walk)
- Hours: Mon–Sat 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Closed: Sundays and public holidays
- Seats: 11 counter seats
- Payment: Cash only (no cards or electronic payment)
✅ Final Thoughts
Unagi Kabuto offers a rare opportunity to taste every part of the eel, prepared with skill over charcoal.
Its simple, unchanged style and insider drinking customs make it a must-visit for food lovers seeking authentic Shinjuku flavors.
Japanese Version Link
Looking for the original article in Japanese?
Click here to view the Japanese version on Daily Shinjuku.