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Unagi Donburi

Glazed grilled eel served over fluffy white rice with a savory-sweet teriyaki sauce and sesame seeds.

22 minMediumServes 2680 cal/serving

JapaneseDinnerGrillStandard

Ingredients

  • 12 oz eel filets (unagi, fresh or frozen), thawed if frozen
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 3 tbsp mirin
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • 2 tbsp sake (or dry sherry)
  • 2 tsp fresh ginger, minced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2 cups cooked short-grain rice
  • 2 tsp sesame seeds, toasted
  • 1/2 sheet nori (seaweed sheet), shredded

Instructions

  1. 1

    In a small saucepan, combine 1/4 cup soy sauce, 3 tbsp mirin, 2 tsp sugar, 2 tbsp sake (or dry sherry), 2 tsp minced fresh ginger, and 2 cloves minced garlic.

  2. 2

    Simmer the glaze over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.

  3. 3

    Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat.

  4. 4

    Place 12 oz thawed if frozen eel filets (unagi, fresh or frozen) skin-side down and grill for 3-4 minutes until the skin is crispy.

  5. 5

    Flip and brush generously with the glaze. Cook for another 3-4 minutes.

  6. 6

    Brush with glaze again and flip back to skin side, cooking for 1 more minute.

  7. 7

    Divide 2 cups cooked short-grain rice between bowls. Top with the eel.

  8. 8

    Drizzle remaining glaze over the top. Garnish with 2 tsp toasted sesame seeds and 1/2 sheet shredded nori (seaweed sheet).

Questions

Can I make Unagi Donburi gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in this entry is 1/4 cup soy sauce. Swap the soy-based sauce for tamari or coconut aminos. Everything else proceeds as written.

How long does Unagi Donburi keep?

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and eat them within three days. Reheat in a hot skillet rather than the microwave to keep the char.

Can I halve or double Unagi Donburi?

Yes. As written it serves 2. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. Doubling on the grill just takes more surface area; keep the heat zones the same.

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