Akasaka Fukinuki

For some truly delicious classic Kanto-style unagi, where they steam the eel prior to grilling it, you can’t go wrong with Akasaka Fukinuki. This beautiful, traditional restaurant might be one of the best eel experiences in this part of town!

[Akasaka Fukinuki - image © Florentyna Leow]

Unagi cooked in the Kanto style involves steaming it prior to grilling over it over charcoal, making it particularly tender and toothsome. Akasaka Fukinuki has been serving delicious Kanto-style grilled eel to the hungry masses since 1923. That’s a long time to be in business! But it’s just a testament to how well-loved of an institution it is in Tokyo.

The classic way to eat eel is simply over rice as an unagi donburi. Like any moderately pricey unagi restaurant worth its salt, Akasaka Fukinuki serves some pretty darn delicious unaju. Have one, two, or even three layers of eel depending on how hungry and cash-liquid you’re feeling!

[Akasaka Fukinuki - image © Florentyna Leow]

Besides the standard una-don, another great way to eat grilled eel at Fukinuki is Nagoya-style. This is known as hitsumabushi. It is a souped up — literally — version of unagi donburi, where you eat it in four styles in the same meal. You can eat it as is; then add some condiments; then add condiments and broth to eat in the ochazuke (tea rice) style; and finally, finish by eating in the style you enjoyed best. That’s the simplest way to explain it. Don’t worry if you’re not going to remember this: they’ll remind you again when you order!

[Akasaka Fukinuki - image © Florentyna Leow]

Hitsumabushi supposedly originated around the end of the Meiji period, when they began serving leftover pieces of eel on bowls of cooked rice (o-hitsu). There are numerous origin stories, but a popularly accepted explanation is that “mabushi” comes from “mamusu” or “to steam completely.”

If you’re keen on trying their eel but dinner prices are a little out of reach, make sure you head there at lunch. And don’t worry about bumbling your way through a Japanese menu. There’s an English menu available to cater to travellers dropping by.

For more Tokyo unagi choices, see our Best Unagi in Tokyo page.

English name:
Akasaka Fukinuki

Japanese name:
赤坂ふきぬき

English address:
3-6-11 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 107-0052

Japanese address:
〒107-0052 東京都港区赤坂3-6-11

Opening hours:
Monday-Friday: 11am-2:30pm, 5:30pm-10:30pm
Saturday, Sunday and national holidays: 11am-3pm, 5pm-9:30pm

Price:

Non-smoking section:
Completely Non-Smoking

Reservations:
Possible

Nearest Transport:
Subway: 2-minute walk from exit 2 of Akasaka Station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda line.

Telephone:
+81-3-3585-3100

Website: Official website (Japanese)

Customer Reviews:
Read customer reviews of Akasaka Fukinuki on TripAdvisor.

Near To Here:
Akasaka Fukinuki is located in Tokyo’s Roppongi and Akasaka district. See our complete list of things to do in Roppongi and Akasaka, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.

More Tokyo Restaurant Recommendations:
See all unagi restaurants we recommend on our Best Unagi in Tokyo page and get the complete list for all cuisines on our Best Tokyo Restaurants page.

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