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Tourists Always Miss These 5 Best Eel Rice Spots in Hong Kong – You Won’t!
Most tourists come to Hong Kong with an endless list of must-try foods: dim sum, roast goose, and pineapple buns. However, they often miss one of the city’s most underrated gems – eel rice!
Unagi don is the kind of food that really hits different when done right. The problem? Some spots are tucked away in places you’d never find until a local points them out. Others don’t even show up when you Google the name!
Don’t worry – I’m the one you can trust for some of Hong Kong’s best eel rice spots. I’ve selected options here that you can find at high-end restaurants, as well as hole-in-the-wall places you’ll likely miss if you don’t look hard enough.
Check them out here today!
1. Unagi Yondaime Kikukawa Causeway Bay
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Website: https://www.yondaimekikukawa.com/
Address: Causeway Bay, Hysan Ave, 33號Lee Garden OneShop 401A, 4/F
Contact Details: +85235908997
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 1:30 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Price: $$
Whenever I’m craving eel rice and still want to enjoy a nice, modern dining, this is the place I go. The grilled eel they have here is skillfully prepared – it’s crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and smoky without being over-charred.
The sauce really ties it all together too. It’s thick and glossy, with the perfect level of savour. The portions are nice – you can get the wool eel, or get their standard Hitsumabushi if you just need a quick meal.
Guests can enjoy their eel in various ways: on rice, with condiments like wasabi, or soaked in tea broth. Though I prefer the former, either option is good – just really depends on the flavor profile you want!
2. Unagi Ichi
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Address: 84號 Shantung St, Mong Kok
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM, 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Price: $$
Though small, this compact restaurant offers that fast-paced charm typical of many local Japanese eateries. Their grilled eel rice bowl is the biggest draw here, coming in a large bowl for only $118 (among the more affordable options in the city).
I definitely loved how fatty the eels here are. And since they’re boneless (don’t worry, most restaurants offer this), it makes for a satisfying bite. The skin is crispy, though it sometimes becomes a bit tough when sauces soak.
The charcoal taste really gives it the perfectly smoky profile. It’s best enjoyed over rice, which is served freshly cooked here. Actually, the rice alone is comparable to the quality of many refined restos!
3. Hanagushi Yakitori Japanese Restaurant
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Address: 2-8 Wellington St, Central
Contact Details: +85225210868
Operating Hours: Monday – Saturday: 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Price: $$
Being 15 years in business, this restaurant is a beloved spot by many locals. And even though the eel isn’t their most popular dish, I think it remains a strong contender among Hong Kong’s best spots.
The eel rice had a savory glaze and a mild smoky aroma. I always love how tender the grilled fillets are. They’re super enjoyable to eat with soft, steamed rice. The sauce is also just enough not to overpower the meat’s natural richness.
If you want to enjoy this, I recommend going for their unagi don, which comes as part of a lunch set. This one comes with miso soup and a small appetizer for under $200, just enough for a hearty lunch.
4. Nadai Unatoto Charcoal Grilled Eel Specialty
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Address: No.500 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay Shop 1202, 12/F, Hysan Place
Contact Details: +85235824466
Price: $
For something on the cheaper end, I think you’ll enjoy this stop. While there’s nothing extraordinary about their eel rice, it’s tasty enough to warrant multiple visits – and may even be a go-to for an affordable eat.
There’s a lunch set that costs $100, as well as more premium eel sets that cost more. The bowl of rice with chopped grilled eel donburi is best enjoyed with a dot of wasabi and ginger soup on the side.
The cheapest bowl you can get here is only $68, and there’s no service charge (trust me, the service is okay and the place is cozy). If you opt for this bowl, I recommend spending an extra $10 for an ice cream – it’s delish!
5. Unagi Koubou
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Address: 468 Jaffe Road, Causeway Bay Shop D, G/F, Allways Centre
Contact Details: +85284819684
Price: $
This might be the only place in all of Hong Kong where you can have freshly grilled eel at the price they offer. For only $78, you can order an eel rice bowl and enjoy a filling meal with no fuss.
If you want something heartier, you may be better off ordering a set meal. Add $30 and you’ll get hot springs, eel liver, and white clam soup. This one even comes with brown rice tea, which you’ll likely need if you’re not used to liver taste!
It’s a hole-in-the-wall Japanese eatery, and unless you’re in the sleepy part of Causeway Bay, you’ll likely won’t see it. As an eat-and-go place, though, it’s just enough for anyone taking a quick lunch after some shopping.
