Unagi Sushi (Eel Sushi)

User Reviews

5.0

153 reviews
Excellent

Unagi Sushi (Eel Sushi)

This easy unagi sushi recipe is perfect for beginners—no raw fish, no rolling mats required! Pre-grilled eel gets broiled to perfection and drizzled with a rich, homemade tare sauce, then placed over seasoned sushi rice for a quick and flavorful sushi night at home. It’s simple, impressive, and so good.

I Made This!

114 people made this

Save this

91 people saved this

Ingredients

Servings

For the Sushi

  • 1-2 packages pre-grilled unagi (enough for 8 slices)
  • 2 cups cooked sushi rice
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 nori sheet, cut into ½ inch stripes
  • Optional: wasabi, pickled ginger, toasted sesame seeds, chopped scallions

For the Tare (Eel Sauce)

  • ½ cup soy sauce
  • ½ cup mirin
  • ¼ cup sake
  • ¼ cup dark brown sugar
  • 3 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
Add to Shopping List

Instructions

  1. Make the Sushi Rice: Cook sushi rice according to package directions. While warm, season with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. Gently fold until combined and let cool to room temperature.
  2. Make the Tare Sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, whisk together soy sauce, mirin, sake, brown sugar, and garlic. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes until reduced by half. Strain and set aside.
  3. Broil the Unagi: Place unagi on a foil-lined baking sheet and broil for 6–8 minutes. Slice into 8 pieces. Lightly brush with tare sauce.
  4. Shape the Rice: Wet your hands to prevent sticking. Scoop and shape a small handful of rice into an oblong mound (about the size of your index finger).
  5. Assemble the Nigiri: Wrap a thin strip of nori around the rice. Place one slice of unagi on top. Lightly press to secure.
  6. Serve: Drizzle extra tare sauce over each piece. Garnish with sesame seeds or scallions if desired. Serve with wasabi and pickled ginger.

Notes

  • Keep a small bowl of water nearby to wet your hands while shaping rice.
  • Let the sauce cool slightly before brushing on the eel—it thickens as it sits.
  • Don’t skip broiling! It adds that signature char and warms up the eel perfectly.
  • Keep a small bowl of water nearby to wet your hands while shaping rice.
  • Let the sauce cool slightly before brushing on the eel—it thickens as it sits.
  • Don’t skip broiling! It adds that signature char and warms up the eel perfectly.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 111kcal (6%) Carbohydrates 24g (8%) Protein 3g (6%) Fat 0.1g (0%) Saturated Fat 0.02g (0%) Polyunsaturated Fat 0.04g Monounsaturated Fat 0.04g Cholesterol 0.2mg (0%) Sodium 927mg (39%) Potassium 52mg (1%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 10g (20%) Vitamin A 21IU (0%) Vitamin C 0.5mg (1%) Calcium 12mg (1%) Iron 0.5mg (3%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8nigiri

Amount Per Serving

Calories 111 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 111kcal 6%
Carbohydrates 24g 8%
Protein 3g 6%
Fat 0.1g 0%
Saturated Fat 0.02g 0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.04g 0%
Monounsaturated Fat 0.04g 0%
Cholesterol 0.2mg 0%
Sodium 927mg 39%
Potassium 52mg 1%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 10g 20%
Vitamin A 21IU 0%
Vitamin C 0.5mg 1%
Calcium 12mg 1%
Iron 0.5mg 3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Genuine Reviews

User Reviews

Overall Rating

5.0

153 reviews
Excellent

Write a Review

Drag & drop files here or click to upload
Other Recipes

You'll Also Love

Unagi Nigiri (BBQ Eel Sushi)

Japanese
5.0 (21 reviews)

Unagi Sushi 鰻寿司

Japanese
0.0 (0 reviews)

Unagi Sushi Recipe

Japanese
0.0 (0 reviews)

Unaju (Japanese Grilled Eel on Rice)

Japanese
0.0 (0 reviews)

Unadon (Grilled Eel Rice Bowl)

Japanese
5.0 (15 reviews)

Unagi Chazuke (Hitsumabushi)

Japanese
4.7 (39 reviews)

Eggplant Unagi Donburi

Japanese
4.8 (78 reviews)

Unadon (Unagi Don)

Japanese
4.8 (189 reviews)

Vegan Unagi Don

Japanese
5.0 (24 reviews)

Unagi Kamameshi

Japanese
0.0 (0 reviews)

Unadon (Unagi Donburi) 鰻丼

Japanese
5.0 (6 reviews)

Eggplant "Unagi"

Japanese
4.8 (75 reviews)

Chirashi Sushi Cake and Temari Sushi

Japanese
5.0 (3 reviews)

Sushi Rolls (Maki Sushi - Hosomaki)

Japanese
4.6 (132 reviews)