I made a reservation on Tablecheck for the enma ju course. However I was not aware that there were a few dishes that needed to be pre-ordered, the unagi filet, liver, and liver with egg yolk. They all looked good so I will definitely remember to order next time. The night I went I seemed to be the only non-Japanese speaking guest but they offered a menu in English and made sure to have an English-speaking member of staff wait on me. As for the food I thought everything was spot-on. Nothing life-changing, but just top quality for sure.

+3

First, the service was very attentive, and the staff spoke excellent English. Aside from our party, we were surrounded by locals, which is typically a very good sign. I had waited a year to visit this establishment, so my expectations and hopes were quite high. The unagi was extremely tender, so delicate that even an elderly parent would have been able to enjoy it, as the meat softly fell apart. It was probably the most delicate unagi I have ever tasted. Unfortunately, some personal circumstances arose during the meal that detracted from my dining experience. This had nothing to do with the restaurant itself, but rather my own situation, and as a result, I could not fully concentrate on the food. On a personal level, I was hoping the unagi would be a bit crisper, with the kabayaki sauce being slightly more pronounced. At Watanabe, you really get to experience the authentic taste of unagi, and the ochazuke there was something else entirely, an unforgettable combination that truly complements the unagi. Typically, I do not eat unagi as ochazuke due to textural preferences, but that experience stood out. I would like to visit Watanabe a second time to see if it is a place I can truly enjoy. The food quality and service were impeccable, and it was simply unfortunate timing on a personal level.

This was one of my favourite meals in Japan. I absolutely love unagi and it was perfectly done here, along with some gorgeous pickles, perfectly cooked rice, and delicious sake. They even let me partner order from the a la carte menu as he is not as big of an eel fan as I am so he had sashimi and it was all beautiful. Very relaxing and calm atmosphere in here, feels very upmarket and absolutely worth a visit

After nearly three months of waiting, I finally managed to get a reservation at Watabe, an unagi restaurant that’s known for being extremely hard to book. Don't expect to walk in and get a seat—I highly recommend reserving online or by phone in advance. Now, about the food. The unagi was good, but honestly, it didn’t blow me away, especially considering the long wait. There are definitely other places serving similar-quality unagi without the months-long reservation. However, what really surprised me were the side dishes—they were exceptionally good! The soup and side dishes were so flavorful that they actually outshined the main dish for me. The staff were friendly, though I did feel they were a bit more attentive to Japanese customers. Also, it looks like takeout is an option, but I’d recommend calling ahead if you plan to order that way. Overall, it’s worth trying if you’re curious, but if you're just looking for great unagi without the hassle, you might find equally good options elsewhere.

+3

MAR 2024 Came here for dinner with a reservation and ordered the unaju set which took about 30 minutes to be served. Half the broiled eel is basted in unagi sauce and the other half is unseasoned. The unagi with the sauce was sweet and tasty with a slight char and goes well with the sansho pepper. If it gets too sweet there is a pot of green tea to make ochazuke to lighten the meal and there are some condiments to adjust the flavor including salt, wasabi, sudachi Japanese citrus, seaweed and spring onion. The unseasoned unagi lets you experience the pure taste of the unagi; a bit of salt brings out the flavor more. The meal also comes with a clear soup with unagi liver which was very clean tasting and a side of pickled vegetables. Overall a bit pricey but the portion was large and filling, unagi was soft and fluffy and the rice was good too, very tasty. Service was good.

+3