{"id":"recipe_580f493e45","slug":"unaju-grilled-eel-over-rice","title":"Unaju (Grilled Eel over Rice)","description":"A classic Japanese delicacy featuring succulent, grilled eel fillets glazed in a sweet and savory homemade tare sauce, served over a bed of fluffy steamed rice in traditional lacquered boxes.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":30,"totalMinutes":45,"activeMinutes":25},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"2 Unagi (freshwater eel) fillets (approx. 300g)","name":"Freshwater Eel","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"fillets","notes":"approx. 300g or 10.6 oz total","group":"Main","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"2 cups Japanese short-grain rice","name":"Rice","quantity":400,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"2","usUnit":"cup","form":"dry","notes":"Japanese short-grain variety","group":"Main","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"1/4 cup soy sauce","name":"Soy Sauce","quantity":60,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"regular or dark soy sauce","group":"Tare Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1/4 cup mirin","name":"Mirin","quantity":60,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"sweet rice wine","group":"Tare Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"2 tablespoons sake","name":"Sake","quantity":30,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"2","usUnit":"tbsp","form":"liquid","notes":"cooking sake","group":"Tare Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"2 tablespoons sugar","name":"Sugar","quantity":25,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"2","usUnit":"tbsp","form":"granulated","notes":"white sugar","group":"Tare Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"Sansho pepper to taste","name":"Sansho Pepper","quantity":1,"unit":"pinch","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"pinch","form":"powder","notes":"to taste","group":"Garnish","optional":true}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Rinse the Japanese short-grain rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Cook the rice in a rice cooker using the appropriate amount of water (usually a 1:1.1 ratio). Once cooked, let it stand for 10 minutes to finish steaming.","group":"Preparation","title":"Rinse the Japanese short-grain rice under cold water","timerMinutes":20,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"In a small saucepan, combine the soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 10-15 minutes or until the sauce has thickened slightly and reduced by about a third.","group":"Tare Sauce","title":"Combine the soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar","timerMinutes":15,"sourceTitle":"Tare Sauce"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Preheat your grill or oven broiler to 400°F (204°C). If using fresh eel, cut the fillets to fit your serving boxes. Place the eel on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Grill or broil for 5-7 minutes until the skin is slightly crispy and the meat is tender.","group":"Cooking","title":"Preheat your grill or oven broiler","timerMinutes":7,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Brush the eel fillets generously with the prepared tare sauce. Return to the grill or broiler for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce bubbles and caramelizes. Repeat this glazing process once more for a deep flavor.","group":"Cooking","title":"Brush the eel fillets generously","timerMinutes":2,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Place a portion of steamed rice into each Jubako or serving bowl. Drizzle a little tare sauce over the rice. Top with a grilled eel fillet. Serve immediately with a sprinkle of sansho pepper if desired.","group":"Assembly","title":"Place a portion of steamed rice","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"}],"notes":"For the most authentic experience, use Japanese short-grain rice and a traditional Jubako (lacquered box). If you can't find fresh eel, high-quality frozen pre-grilled unagi can be used and finished with the homemade sauce for better flavor.","cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Japanese"]},"course":["main"],"cookingMethod":["grill","boil","steam"],"equipment":["rice cooker","small saucepan","grill or broiler","basting brush","Jubako (lacquered boxes)"],"diet":["high_protein"],"allergens":["fish","soy","wheat"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":2,"unit":"servings","note":"Two full unaju boxes"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The tare sauce can be made up to 2 weeks in advance and stored in the refrigerator."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store leftover grilled eel and rice separately in airtight containers in the fridge.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat the eel in a toaster oven to maintain its texture; microwave the rice with a damp paper towel."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_580f493e45%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=c090e9c4-6e01-4f10-9643-74695b66dab5","imageAlt":"Unaju (Grilled Eel over Rice) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["unagi","unaju","eel","japanese cuisine","high protein","savory","traditional"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Unaju (Grilled Eel over Rice)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T19:22:01.901Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T19:22:01.901Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_5bd7d18ba8","slug":"cantonese-steamed-rice-noodle-rolls-cheung-fun","title":"Cantonese Steamed Rice Noodle Rolls (Cheung Fun)","description":"A silky, smooth, and translucent Cantonese dim sum classic. These rice noodle rolls are steamed to perfection and typically filled with succulent shrimp or savory pork, then finished with a sweetened soy sauce.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":25},"cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Cantonese"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["dairy_free","egg_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_5bd7d18ba8%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=95ae143d-b901-4366-9657-7aa0c5bdad41","imageAlt":"Cantonese Steamed Rice Noodle Rolls (Cheung Fun) — recipe cover","tags":["dim sum","cantonese","rice noodles","steamed","shrimp","chinese breakfast"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":9,"stepCount":6},{"id":"recipe_8c98f14ca2","slug":"classic-fried-rice-chaofan","title":"Classic Fried Rice (Chǎofàn)","description":"A quick, savory, and satisfying East Asian staple featuring fluffy rice stir-fried with eggs, crisp vegetables, and a touch of soy sauce.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":10,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Chinese"]},"course":["main","side"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","nut_free","high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_8c98f14ca2%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=a9bd1aca-9eb5-41e5-8730-eac0148bdba5","imageAlt":"Classic Fried Rice (Chǎofàn) — recipe cover","tags":["fried-rice","quick","easy","leftover-rice","chinese-cuisine"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":9,"stepCount":6},{"id":"recipe_7d0223495d","slug":"classic-japanese-udon-soup","title":"Classic Japanese Udon Soup","description":"A comforting, traditional East Asian noodle soup featuring thick, chewy udon noodles in a delicate, savory dashi broth.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Japanese"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["dairy_free","low_fat"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_7d0223495d%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=b95b3407-aaaf-4a90-8153-c9dccf8a4049","imageAlt":"Classic Japanese Udon Soup — recipe cover","tags":["udon","noodles","soup","quick","comfort food","japanese"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":5}]}