JPN: Hitsumabushi Bincho (ひつまぶし備長)
What's your preferred way of enjoying 'hitsumabushi'?
Happy Lunar New Year 2025! To wrap up the month, let's talk about hitsumabushi, a specialty of Nagoya featuring grilled unagi (Japanese freshwater eel) served over rice. While there are many restaurants in the city to enjoy the dish, I decided to join the queue at Hitsumabushi Bincho located along Kinshachi Yokocho near Nagoya Castle for lunch.
My friend and I ordered a burger set meal each, which came with a choice of side dish and thirst quencher.
Superior Hitsumabushi ¥5,100 (~S$44.55)
Taste: 8.5/10
The Japanese writing of the dish on the menu is 上ひつまぶし. Compared to the standard version, the superior one features a more generous portion of unagi, along with the liver. Following the local way, I enjoyed it in three different ways.
First of all, I tried the unagi on its own with steamed rice. The combination of the sweet and savoury glaze, the smoky aroma and the melt-in-the-mouth texture was simply incredible, with the steamed rice a. It was so good that I almost didn't feel the need to move on to the next step.
Next, I added chopped spring onions and wasabi (Japanese horseradish), which transformed the flavour profile. While the former lent a subtle crunch to the dish, the sharp, refreshing kick of the wasabi cut through the richness of the eel in a delightful way.
At last, I enjoyed my ochazuke (Japanese rice soaked in broth). The warm dashi (Japanese stock made of fish and kelp) broth melded everything together to create a soothing and well-rounded taste. Each spponful was light, yet still flavourful.
Bone Crackers ¥750 (~S$6.55)
Taste: 8.5/10
The Japanese writing of the dish on the menu is 骨せんべい. I also sampled the deep-fried eel bones, which were perfectly crunchy and lightly salted. They were an ideal accompaniment to my highball, which somehow I forgot to take a photo of.
Melon's Rating
Taste: 8.5/10
Ambience: 7.5/10
Service: 8/10
Overall: 8/10
While the hitsumabushi was delicious, I wouldn't go so far as to call it life-changing. Still, for the quality and price, it was worth the wait. Pika's advice: The main outlet, which is located much further north, serves kaiseki (Japanese multi-course meal) if you're interested.
Hitsumabushi Bincho
(ひつまぶし備長)
1-2-5 Sannomaru
Nagoya, Aichi
Japan
(Mon-Fri: 10.30am - 4.00pm;
Sat-Sun: 10.00am - 3.00pm, 4.30pm - 6.30pm)
*Prices quoted are nett prices.
Have a nice meal,
Cliff(y)
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