How to Make Unadon at Home: A Delicious Japanese Grilled Eel Rice Bowl

--- published by foodie Parmod.

Unadon, or unagi donburi, is a popular Japanese dish featuring tender grilled eel glazed in a sweet and savoury soy-based sauce, served over a bowl of fluffy steamed rice. The dish is beloved for its rich umami flavour, soft texture, and its status as a traditional delicacy – especially during summer in Japan.

In this blog post, you'll discover how to make unadon at home using ingredients available in the UK. Whether you're an enthusiast of Japanese cuisine or just curious to try something new, this step-by-step guide will help you bring authentic flavours to your table – quickly and easily.

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⭐ What Is Unadon?

The name unadon is a fusion of two words: unagi (grilled freshwater eel) and don (short for donburi, meaning rice bowl). The eel is typically grilled, then coated with a glossy sweet soy glaze (tare), and placed over steamed Japanese rice.

Traditionally eaten on the Day of the Ox during Japan’s summer, unadon is thought to provide energy and stamina.

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✅ Why You'll Love This Unadon Recipe

Easy to prepare using pre-cooked eel

Restaurant-quality results at home

Aromatic and flavourful, thanks to the tare glaze

Perfect for special meals or when you want a treat

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🛒 Ingredients for Unadon (Serves 2)

For the Tare Sauce (Sweet Soy Glaze):

3 tablespoons soy sauce

3 tablespoons mirin

2 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon sake (or dry white wine)

For the Unadon Bowl:

2 portions of steamed Japanese short-grain rice

1 fillet of grilled unagi (unagi kabayaki), thawed if frozen

Optional toppings: sansho pepper, sliced spring onions, shredded nori

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🔎 Where to Buy Unagi in the UK

Grilled and frozen unagi kabayaki is available at many Asian supermarkets or online. It’s pre-cooked and only requires reheating. Look for vacuum-sealed packs in the freezer section.

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🍚 Step-by-Step: How to Make Unadon

1. Prepare the Rice

Start by cooking Japanese short-grain rice according to the packet instructions or using a rice cooker. Keep it warm and fluffy while preparing the eel and sauce.

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2. Make the Tare Sauce

In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and sake.

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low.

Simmer gently for 8–10 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.

Stir occasionally and set aside once glossy.

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3. Heat the Unagi

If using frozen unagi fillets:

Thaw fully in the fridge or at room temperature.

Place the unagi (skin side down) under a preheated grill or in a hot oven (200°C) for 5–7 minutes.

Brush generously with the tare sauce during grilling for extra flavour.

Alternatively, reheat in a pan with a splash of water and cover to steam gently.

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4. Assemble the Unadon Bowl

Spoon hot rice into large bowls.

Carefully place the grilled unagi fillet on top of the rice.

Drizzle more tare sauce over the eel and rice.

Garnish with sansho pepper or sliced spring onions if desired.

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🧑‍🍳 Cooking Tips for Perfect Unadon

Don’t overheat the eel – it’s already cooked and only needs warming

Use Japanese short-grain rice for the best sticky texture

Simmer the tare sauce slowly to avoid burning the sugar

Add pickled vegetables or a miso soup on the side for a full Japanese meal

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🥢 Variations and Substitutions

Vegetarian unadon: Use grilled aubergine or tofu glazed with tare sauce

Unagi sushi: Use leftover grilled eel to make unagi nigiri

Lighter sauce: Reduce the sugar slightly if you prefer less sweetness

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🍽 Serving Suggestions

Unadon is typically served with:

Miso soup – a traditional starter to cleanse the palate

Tsukemono (Japanese pickles) – adds crunch and balance

Green tea – to complement the rich flavours

A small salad – for freshness

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📌 Final Thoughts

Unadon is a delightful Japanese dish that brings elegance and deep flavour to your dining table. Thanks to widely available pre-grilled unagi and simple tare sauce ingredients, it’s easier than ever to make at home. Whether for a quiet night in or an impressive dinner, unadon is a true Japanese comfort food worth trying.

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Now that you know how to make unadon in your own kitchen, why not give it a try this week? It’s quick, satisfying, and full of authentic Japanese taste. Let us know how it turned out in the comments below!

--- write ✍️ by foodie Parmod.