8 delicious Saigon eel rice restaurants that cannot be missed

1 Unatoto – Japan’s No. 1 eel rice restaurant chain

Address:

– Branch 1: 56 Truong Dinh, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

– Branch 2: 70 Nguyen Thi Thap, Tan Hung, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City

– Branch 3: 426-428 3/2 Street, Ward 12, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City

– Branch 4: 248 Nguyen Hong Dao, Ward 14, Tan Binh, Ho Chi Minh City

Opening hours: 11:00 – 22:00

Reference price: 100,000 VND – 550,000 VND.

Unatoto is the first name to mention when talking about eel rice in Vietnam. This is a world-famous restaurant chain thanks to the method of grilling eels directly on charcoal (binchotan). This technique helps the eel to have a lightly crispy skin, soft and succulent meat inside, retaining its natural sweetness and characteristic aroma. The exclusive layer of tare sauce is spread evenly during the grilling process, creating a shiny cockroach wing color and a harmonious sweet and salty flavor, penetrating deeply into each grain of sticky rice.

See more: Top Japanese restaurants in Saigon will make you fascinated

The space at Unatoto is designed in a Japanese Izakaya style, both cozy and vibrant. Diners can sit at the bar to witness skilled chefs grilling eel over an open fire. In addition, the restaurant also offers an exciting cultural experience with a free Yukata photography area and private rooms for families.

2 Unagi Shokudo – Nagoya style eel rice in the heart of Thao Dien

Address: No. 9, Alley 30, Street 9, Thao Dien, City. Thu Duc (Old District 2), Ho Chi Minh City

Opening hours: 11:00 – 14:00 | 17:00 – 21:00

Reference price: 250,000 VND – 500,000 VND (Hitsumabushi eel rice costs about 270,000 VND).

Located in the bustling Thao Dien area, Unagi Shokudo specializes in serving traditional Nagoya-style eel rice (Hitsumabushi). The point that makes the restaurant different is the charcoal grilling technique twice. The first grilling helps shape the eel and remove excess fat, the second grilling is combined with the sauce to create a fragrant crust.

The unique point here is that diners will be guided to eat Hitsumabushi in 4 standard Japanese steps. First enjoy the original taste, then mix with spices (onion, seaweed, wasabi). Next, diners will continue the third step which is to add elegant dashi broth and finally choose the way you like to eat it the most. In particular, the restaurant also has a strange kimchi eel soup, bringing an interesting combination of the fatty taste of eel and the spicy sourness of kimchi.

3 Dong Fan – Eel rice prepared at Le Thanh Ton Japanese street

Address: 2nd Floor, 8/5 Le Thanh Ton, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Opening hours: 11:00 – 14:00 | 17:00 – 22:00

Reference price: 190,000 VND – 360,000 VND.

Dong Fan is nestled in the famous Little Japan neighborhood in Saigon. The restaurant conquers diners with its grilled eel style, filled with the typical smoky smell of high-end Japanese street food. The eel here is coated with rich kabayaki sauce, served with shredded fried eggs and diced yellow radish, creating a balance of both color and taste.

The restaurant offers three versions of eel rice for diners to choose from depending on their appetite. Among them, Unadon is the simplest version with one standard piece of eel, Double Unadon is for “eel fanatics” with two large pieces. The most special is Unatama Don – the perfect combination of grilled eel and soft egg rolls.

4 Unagi Yosakura – Experience premium Wagyu beef and eel rice

Address: 234 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Vo Thi Sau Ward, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City

Opening hours: 11:00 – 14:30 | 17:00 – 22:00

Reference price: 700,000 VND – 1,200,000 VND.

Coming from Osaka, Unagi Yosakura brings a completely different class when combining eel rice with rice cooked in a traditional Hagama clay pot. Cooking rice in a clay pot helps the rice grains bloom evenly, retaining moisture and natural sweetness, creating the perfect base for the fragrant charcoal-grilled eel.

The restaurant’s signature dish is the premium combination of Wagyu Hitsumabushi. Diners will enjoy the melting fat of imported Wagyu beef mixed with the rich taste of grilled eel. This is the ideal address for important parties or entertaining partners in a luxurious space in District 3.

5 Sushi Hokkaido Sachi

Address:

– 139A-B Nguyen Trai, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

– L3-30 Phan Van Tri, Ward 10, Go Vap, Ho Chi Minh City

– B3-07 Vincom Center Dong Khoi, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City (And many other branches at shopping malls).

Opening hours: 10:30 – 22:45

Reference price: 200,000 VND – 500,000 VND.

Sushi Hokkaido Sachi is a name that guarantees the quality of fresh ingredients. The eel rice dish here scores points because the grilled eel layer is shiny and greasy but not at all greasy. Each piece of eel is meticulously prepared, completely removing bones, giving it a soft, melt-in-your-mouth feeling.

The space at Hokkaido Sachi branches is often designed in a Zen style, using a lot of wood materials and soft yellow light, bringing a feeling of relaxation. The restaurant also has free private rooms, perfect for family gatherings that require privacy.

6 Yuugatei Mutsumian

Address: 15A/7 Le Thanh Ton, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Opening hours: 11:00 – 14:00 | 17:00 – 22:00

Reference price: 150,000 VND – 450,000 VND (Mini Hitsumabushi costs about 280,000 VND).

Yuugatei Mutsumian impresses with the use of fresh eels raised directly at the farm in Nha Trang according to strict procedures. Eels are transported live to the restaurant and are only processed when ordered by customers. Right at the entrance, diners can see a glowing charcoal oven, where eels are continuously grilled to ensure freshness.

A small but very delicate detail at the restaurant is that customers will be given a crispy fried eel bone snack as an appetizer, which is both unique and rich in calcium. The eel here has a soft and smooth texture, absorbing the sweet and salty sauce just right, suitable for those who like a mild flavor.

7 Yakiuo Ishikawa Saigon – Grilled eel rice directly at the table

Address: 38 Thai Van Lung, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Opening hours: 11:00 – 14:00 | 17:00 – 22:00

Reference price: 400,000 VND – 1,000,000 VND.

Yakiuo Ishikawa offers the ultimate “performance” culinary experience. Instead of grilling it in the kitchen, diners will watch professional chefs (Itamae) grill fresh eel directly at the table. Grilling on the spot helps the eel retain its maximum heat and the diffuse aroma awakens all senses.

The flavor of eel rice here is very unique thanks to the combination of eel covered in secret sauce and red vinegar rice (Akashari). The mild sour taste of red vinegar helps balance the fat of the eel, creating an overall delicate dish that does not cause a heavy feeling in the stomach.

8 Japan Eats – Anime style “lowkey” eel rice shop

Address: 5/70 Nguyen Trung Ngan, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Opening hours: 10:00 – 21:00

Reference price: 48,000 VND – 350,000 VND (Standard eel rice with miso soup is about 308,000 VND).

Japan Eats is a favorite destination for young people and “Otaku”. The shop’s space is small and beautiful, decorated with many anime images and often shows famous Japanese cartoons. Regarding food, Japan Eats serves cute mini eel rice bowls. The eel is grilled softly and comes with a fatty tamagoyaki fried egg, so it is very popular with diners.

Japanese eel rice in Saigon is the perfect choice for those who want to find a meal rich in nutrients and rich in traditional flavors. Don’t hesitate to reward yourself with a hot bowl of eel rice after tiring working hours! How many restaurants in the list above have you tried? Please share your experience with Vietnamtravelio! Don’t forget to stop by the nearest Vietnamtravelio store to buy a cute backpack and go on a motorbike to explore the eel rice restaurants we just suggested.