Unagi Don
Unagi Don is a delicious Japanese rice bowl topped with grilled eel glazed in a sweet soy sauce. This traditional dish captures the essence of Japanese cuisine with its balance of flavors and textures.
Plan and shop
Save this recipe for real-life cooking
Build a local shopping list or place this recipe into a weekly meal plan. No account is required.
Illustrated cooking guide
Step-by-step visual method
A polished English infographic for the whole cooking flow, paired with the full written recipe below for detail and SEO.
Written method
Instructions
Read through once, then cook at your own pace with the illustrated guide above.
- 1
Start by rinsing the sushi rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This helps remove excess starch.
- 2
Combine the rinsed rice and 1 cup of water in a rice cooker and cook according to the rice cooker instructions until the rice is fluffy and tender.
- 3
Once cooked, transfer the rice to a bowl and gently fold in the rice vinegar, sugar, and salt to season the rice. Let it cool slightly.
- 4
In a pan over medium heat, warm the unagi pieces for about 3-4 minutes on each side until heated through.
- 5
Brush the unagi with the unagi sauce while heating to add flavor. Make sure the eel is well-coated for a rich taste.
- 6
To serve, scoop a generous amount of the seasoned sushi rice into a bowl, then place the warm unagi on top. Drizzle extra unagi sauce over the eel if desired and sprinkle with sesame seeds, if using.
Cook notes
Tips
Make sure to adjust the seasoning of the rice to your taste by adding more or less sugar and salt.
Use a good quality unagi sauce for the best flavor.
If you prefer, you can grill the unagi on a charcoal grill for an authentic smoky flavor.
Cook smarter
Helpful notes
Practical storage, serving, swap, and troubleshooting notes for a better first try.
Storage Tips
- Store leftover unagi in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Reheat the unagi gently in a pan or microwave before serving over fresh rice.
Substitutions
- Short-grain rice can be used instead of sushi rice.
- Brown sugar can replace white sugar in the rice seasoning.
What to Serve With
- Miso soup
- Pickled vegetables
- Steamed edamame
Common Mistakes
- Not rinsing the rice thoroughly, which can result in sticky or gummy texture.
- Overcooking the unagi can make it tough; heat just until warmed through.
Recipe FAQ
What is unagi?
Unagi is freshwater eel, commonly used in Japanese cuisine and often grilled with a sweet soy-based sauce.
Can I use frozen unagi?
Yes, frozen unagi can be used. Just make sure to thaw and warm it thoroughly before serving.
What can I substitute for sushi rice?
You can use short-grain rice as a substitute, but the texture may differ.
Kitchen tools
Helpful Tools for This Recipe
A light, editable placeholder for future partner recommendations. No real affiliate links are enabled yet.
Rice cooker
Good for steady rice, grains, and meal-prep bowls.
Blender
Helpful for smooth sauces, soups, marinades, and purees.
Chef knife
A basic prep tool for vegetables, herbs, aromatics, and proteins.
Cutting board
Keeps prep organized for chopping, slicing, and staging ingredients.
Measuring spoons
Useful for balancing spices, salt, acids, and sauces.
Some links may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate or partner, we may earn from qualifying purchases when enabled. Read the Affiliate Disclosure.
Cook along weekly
Want more illustrated recipes like Unagi Don?
Join the World Recipe Letter for global home-cooking ideas and visual recipe guides.
Join the World Recipe Letter
Get 5 illustrated recipes every week.
No account needed. Unsubscribe when email delivery is connected.
Cook next
You might also like
More flavors from the same country or nearby pantry style.
Chicken Teriyaki Donburi
A glossy chicken rice bowl with quick teriyaki sauce, cucumber, scallions, and sesame.
Vegetable Miso Ramen
A cozy vegetarian ramen with miso broth, noodles, greens, mushrooms, and jammy eggs.
Salmon Onigiri
Hand-shaped rice balls filled with flaky salmon and wrapped in crisp nori.