5 from 15 votes
Unadon (Grilled Eel Rice Bowl)
Unadon consists of grilled eel fillets served over steamed sushi rice with a rich homemade eel sauce called tare. The eel is thawed, reheated until tender with caramelized edges from the sauce, then placed atop fluffy rice. The tare sauce blends soy sauce, mirin, sake, brown sugar, and garlic, simmered to a thick glaze that adds a balanced sweet and savory flavor to the dish. Optional toppings like nori, pickled ginger, sesame seeds, and scallions add texture and freshness to each bite.
Prep Time
6 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
21 mins
Servings:
4
servings
Calories:
221 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Japanese
Ingredients
- 1 pack Eel frozen, unagi
- 2 cups sushi rice cooked
For the Eel Sauce (Tare)
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ½ cup mirin
- ¼ cup sake
- ¼ cup dark brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic peeled and mashed or minced
Optional Toppings
- nori seaweed sliced
- pickled ginger
- sesame seeds
- scallions sliced
Instructions
- Thaw the eel. Remove the frozen eel fillets from their packaging and allow them to thaw. You can do this by placing them in the refrigerator for several hours or following the instructions on the packaging.
- Reheat the eel. Preheat your oven or broiler to a medium-high temperature. Place the thawed eel fillets on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper. Heat them in the oven or under the broiler for 6-10 minutes until they are heated through, and the eel sauce caramelizes and becomes slightly crispy. Be careful not to overcook; eel can become tough if cooked too long.
- Make the eel sauce. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add all the ingredients and whisk together until smooth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer and cook until the sauce has reduced to half and thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 15 minutes. Strain the sauce through a fine mesh strainer.
- Assemble the Unadon. Place a generous portion of steamed rice in a serving bowl. Lay the heated eel fillets on top of the rice, drizzling extra eel sauce over the eel to taste.
- Garnish with optional toppings such as nori strips, toasted sesame seeds, sliced scallions, or pickled ginger.
- Serve warm. Serve it with a side of miso soup.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
221kcal
(11%)
Carbohydrates
47g
(16%)
Protein
5g
(10%)
Fat
0.2g
(0%)
Saturated Fat
0.05g
(0%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.1g
(1%)
Monounsaturated Fat
0.1g
(1%)
Cholesterol
0.3mg
(0%)
Sodium
1855mg
(77%)
Potassium
102mg
(2%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
21g
(42%)
Vitamin A
9IU
(0%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
24mg
(2%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 221
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 221kcal | 11% |
| Carbohydrates | 47g | 16% |
| Protein | 5g | 10% |
| Fat | 0.2g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.05g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.1g | 1% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0.1g | 1% |
| Cholesterol | 0.3mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 1855mg | 77% |
| Potassium | 102mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 21g | 42% |
| Vitamin A | 9IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 24mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.