Yongsan Japanese restaurant for charcoal-grilled hitsumabushi: Una

I visited Una Yongsan Main Branch, where you can enjoy a neat eel rice bowl with deep flavor in Yongsan.

Charcoal-grilled eel and deep tare sauce

It said they use only premium Korean freshwater eel, which gave me confidence. They stick to techniques learned directly from Japanese masters, so I figured it simply had to be good. Their sauce is simmered with around 30 healthful medicinal ingredients, and that depth really came through. Since it is an authentic tare sauce simmered for more than 10 hours, even its color looked different. The moment I lifted the lid on the hitsumabushi, its aroma filled the air. Maybe because it was grilled over binchotan-style charcoal, the glossy surface of the eel was seriously something else.

How I enjoyed the hitsumabushi

Hitsumabushi

This signature dish comes with golden-brown grilled eel packed closely across the rice without a gap. The eel, soaked through with sweet-savory seasoning, had such an appealing texture: crisp outside and tender inside. I loved that I could enjoy different flavors by adding the supplied scallions, laver, and wasabi, or pouring over the ochazuke broth.

It was wonderful as it was, but I decided to use the green-tea broth following the guide written on the table. I portioned some rice and grilled eel into a small bowl, then lightly sprinkled on the provided crushed laver.

I also really liked how each of the basic side dishes came neatly portioned in individual bowls. They were just the sort of selection to refresh my palate, so I kept reaching for them between bites.

Tomato tsukemono

The sweet-and-tangy pickled tomatoes looked pretty, and they were perfect for cleansing the palate before or after the meal. This thoughtful side dish had a fresh, crisp bite that neatly cut through the richness.

Una Yongsan Main Branch menu

• Hitsumabushi: mentaiko-set small hitsumabushi, mentaiko-set hitsumabushi, special mentaiko-set hitsumabushi, small hitsumabushi, special hitsumabushi
• Torimabushi: mentaiko-set torimabushi, special mentaiko-set torimabushi, torimabushi, special torimabushi
• Meromabushi: mentaiko-set meromabushi, special mentaiko-set meromabushi, meromabushi, special meromabushi
• À la carte: mentaiko-set unagi kabayaki, mentaiko-set mero kama tare-yaki, mentaiko-set tori tare-yaki, unagi kabayaki, mero kama tare-yaki, tori tare-yaki

A calm Japanese dining space that makes you feel looked after

The exterior already felt upscale, while inside was finished in a clean, calm black-toned interior. Soft sunlight filtered through the blinds by the windows, making the space feel cozy yet refined. With generously spaced tables and comfortable seating, it was just right for enjoying a neat Japanese meal.

The tables were set well apart too, so it looked easy to dine without being disturbed by others. Overall, the space had the tidy, unfussy character of a classic Japanese restaurant. The staff also served us quietly and attentively, so I really got to enjoy that feeling of being looked after.

Thanks to its calm, neat interior, Una Yongsan Main Branch is somewhere that really makes you feel treated. The careful presentation of every dish and the tidy selection of basic sides were satisfying too, making for a very pleasant meal.

Once I went up to the second floor of the Episode building, its stylish sign greeted me first. The exterior stood out even from a distance, so I found it right away without getting lost.

It was such a satisfying time, enjoying a thoughtfully prepared Japanese rice-bowl meal in a luxurious setting. If you are looking for a clean, carefully prepared hitsumabushi spot near Yongsan, I definitely recommend visiting at least once.