Lake Kinrin (金鏻湖) has always been a huge part of our itinerary to Yufuin but with an afternoon full of activities ahead, little nugget needed a quick lunch to fuel up.
I had a lunch spot pinned on Google Maps, but judging by the long line snaking out front, it was clear we wouldn't be seated anytime soon. Without hesitation, we switched to Plan B: a spontaneous pick based on gut feeling.
That’s how we stumbled upon UNAICHI (鰻一 總本店) — a charming unagi specialty restaurant just a few blocks from our original destination.
The smoky aroma wafting from their grill caught my attention immediately and from that moment, there was no turning back.
The cozy little eatery offers two main styles of unagi: grilled eel and their house specialty, eel hitsumabushi (蒲燒烤鰻魚). This turned out to be little nugget’s first unagi experience.
Grilled eel (烤鰻魚) – The eel was beautifully soaked in a sweet soy glaze, with a texture and flavor that struck a perfect balance — tender yet satisfying. It paired wonderfully with the steamed rice, which says a lot coming from someone who usually isn’t a fan of eel.
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Eel hitsumabushi (蒲燒烤鰻魚) – While similar in texture to the grilled eel — buttery-soft, flaky, and melt-in-the-mouth, this version had a deeper, smokier flavor, thanks to the traditional grilling method.
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The skin was lightly crisp and caramelized, adding a delightful contrast with every bite.
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Each set came with a delicate milk pudding for dessert. While it was a nice touch, some of us might have preferred a thirst-quenching drink instead.
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We had just enough time to walk around Lake Kinrin after lunch.
I’ve never been to Saga before, so needless to say, I’m incredibly excited for the next few days that lie ahead.
Food Rating: 6/10
Price: ￥￥￥
Address: 1487-2 Yufuincho Kawakami, Yufu, Oita, 879-5102 Japan
Tel: +81 (0)977-75-9648
Website: https://una-ichi.jp/sohonten.html
Opening Hours: 10:00am - 5:00pm daily
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