{"id":679,"date":"2024-02-16T16:51:40","date_gmt":"2024-02-16T07:51:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/higojournal.com\/en\/?p=679"},"modified":"2024-03-04T16:52:39","modified_gmt":"2024-03-04T07:52:39","slug":"%e3%80%90hitoyoshi-city%e3%80%91the-astonishing-scene-at-uemura-unagiya-consistently-ranked-the-no-1-unagi-restaurant-in-kumamoto","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/higojournal.com\/en\/archives\/%e3%80%90hitoyoshi-city%e3%80%91the-astonishing-scene-at-uemura-unagiya-consistently-ranked-the-no-1-unagi-restaurant-in-kumamoto.html","title":{"rendered":"\u3010Hitoyoshi City\u3011The Astonishing Scene at ‘Uemura Unagiya’, Consistently Ranked the No. 1 Unagi Restaurant in Kumamoto!"},"content":{"rendered":"

For unagi lovers in Kumamoto, ‘Uemura Unagiya’ in Hitoyoshi needs no introduction. If you haven’t heard of it, you’re missing out.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With an opening time of 10 AM, I went there for breakfast, only to find an unbelievable sight.<\/span><\/p>\n

Just how much do people want to eat here!?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

I arrived before the restaurant opened only to be greeted by the following sight.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The first person in line must have arrived at least an hour earlier.<\/span><\/p>\n

Eel for breakfast, how fancy is that! (And yes, I’m one of them)<\/span><\/p>\n

And there were over 60 people lined up… Just how much do they want to eat this stuff!<\/span><\/p>\n

Eel isn’t something you can eat quickly like ramen, so how many hours are the people at the back waiting???<\/span><\/p>\n

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But there’s just something special about Uemura’s Unagi that makes people willing to wait in line for hours.<\/span><\/p>\n

With over 100 years of history, their taste and track record are impeccable \u2013 everyone agrees.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Unfortunately, in July 2020, heavy rainfall led to complete flooding of the ground floor.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In August 2021, they made a remarkable comeback and are now as popular as ever.<\/span><\/p>\n

It’s THE Traditional Japanese House<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

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There’s an irori (Japanese hearth) in the waiting room.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can feel the over 100 years of history in the interior.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Looking at this photo, you might expect the scent of wood and earth, but…<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>All you can smell is the sauce!!!<\/b>\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

In the waiting room, the aroma is so appetizing that it makes me want to have rice just with this sauce aroma as a side dish.<\/span><\/p>\n

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As you can see from the interior, it really is THE epitome of a traditional Japanese building.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Be careful not to kick anyone’s shoes while being led to the dining rooms, as if you’re anything like me you’re likely to be looking around too much.<\/span><\/p>\n

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There was also a wood-burning stove. I imagine during the winter, it provides warmth throughout the interior. <\/span><\/p>\n

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The smaller dining rooms can seat two groups, while the larger ones can accommodate about six.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, let’s move on to the drool-inducing main event.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ah, No Wonder It’s Ranked No. 1<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

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Now for the grand unveiling of the menu.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What’s this ‘uzaku’ \uff08\u3046\u3056\u304f\uff09at the top left of the second row?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Turns out, it’s grilled eel and pickled cucumber.\u00a0There’s so much that catches the eye, but… I decide on<\/span><\/p>\n

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I’ll go with the eel bowl\uff08\u2019Una-Don\u2019\uff09and…<\/span><\/p>\n

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The eel rice (\u2018Unagi-Meshi\u2019). I opted for medium size for both.<\/span><\/p>\n

After placing the order, it arrived in about 10 minutes.<\/span><\/p>\n

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This is the Una-Don!<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

The eel bowl was served with..,<\/span><\/p>\n

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Kimo-sui (Eel Liver Soup)<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

A golden combo.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Ahhh, it’s irresistible.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Umm, oh dear.<\/span><\/p>\n

It’s too good for me to put the taste into words.<\/span><\/p>\n

Writer’s block.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u00a0<\/span>Since words fail me, I’ll just try sprinkling some sansho pepper on it.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Wow, the sansho pepper seems to be more about flavor than spiciness. It imparts a refreshing sensation, complementing the irresistibly fragrant charred sauce.<\/span><\/p>\n

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In between bites of una-don, I sipped on the liver soup. My deepest thanks for such a treat.<\/span><\/p>\n

Una-Don & Kimo-sui, you’re the champions…<\/span><\/p>\n

Hey! Where’s The Eel Rice!<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

Oh, can’t forget about this either.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Here’s the Unagi-meshi (eel rice). A classic dish where you can fully savor the deliciousness of both the eel and the rice.<\/span><\/p>\n

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With this, you’ll get the<\/span> standard clear soup on the side.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Rice made in Hitoyoshi, Kuma. Even eating just the rice is incredibly delicious.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The dish came with five pieces of eel, resting in a generous pool of sauce.<\/span><\/p>\n

With each bite, I found myself dipping the eel back into the delicious sauce at the bottom of the plate \u2013 a continuous cycle of flavor that left me reeling with emotion.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The sweetness of the sauce doesn’t overpower, but rather enhances the eel’s flavor. Eating a grilled eel drenched in thick, overpowering sauce would be such a waste, wouldn’t it? You might as well just drink some sauce. For those who want to truly enjoy the flavor of eel, unagi-meshi is the way to go.<\/span><\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

The point of this article isn’t just to rave about how good the eel is.<\/span><\/p>\n

What I really want to say is: If you’re going to Uemura Unagiya, get there by 9 AM!<\/span><\/p>\n

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There’s plenty of parking, but if you go in the afternoon, it’s so packed you won’t park there.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Skip dinner the night before, wake up hungry, and go early. That’s the best plan.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Go to Uemura Unagiya, where satisfaction is guaranteed, and treat yourself.<\/span><\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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