肥前屋

Excellent unagi! The eel is very thick and fat, juicy to the bite and meat is very tender! Taste is excellent, again I did not go early enough to get the very limited eel liver! Mini raw oyster is a surprise find and pairs very well with sake. Can skip the tempura though. Also, be prepared to order else face wrath of the old lady 😂

Unagi rice was pretty good. I like the grilled squid, it was done just right. Not chewy or rubbery. Self served tea and other beverages to buy from the vending machine. Take note that half way through your meal, server could get other diner(s) to sit with you (without asking permission). Find this action a little abrupt. The leafy vegetable appetizer is good but not the raddish, it has a very odd vinegar taste which is not to my liking. Overall it's an average dining place for me.

I rarely leave bad reviews, but I feel compelled to do so today for a few reasons: 1. The dishes and bowls were either broken on the edges or chipped. 2. The eel contained hard fish bones that were difficult to swallow. This was a complete surprise to us, as we’ve never had such an issue at other eel rice restaurants. Ironically, 肥前屋 is famous for its eel rice. 3. For some reason, the staff rushed to collect the bill immediately after serving all the dishes insteading of waiting till we finish the meal. 4. While we were still eating, the staff started clearing dishes we had finished and placed a cart beside our table. 5. The floors were sticky and dirty. To be fair, we came in during late lunch hours, so it's understandable that the staff wanted to clean up and prepare to clock out. However, if they choose to accept dine-in customers, I would expect good service so that we as customer can enjoy our meal. Overall, I cannot recommend this place.

I’ve been eating Japanese eel rice for around 40 years. Went to this place around 7pm on a Sunday and there was a line over 23 people waiting to get in. Only took about 30 minutes before we were seated. The interior looked worn out. Employees were friendly. It was a little strange that they rolled carts filled with a pile of dirty dishes and plates around customers to clean up. The eel rice itself was good. However, please be aware that ALL of their eels contained varying amounts of tiny fish bones. Chew very carefully because you do not want fish bones to be trapped in your throat. I wasn’t sure if they intended this or were too lazy to take the time to remove all of the bones. The fried oysters were okay, but it did not taste that fresh. The tempura shrimps were somewhat stringy and chewy. To be perfectly frank, I’m not so sure that I’ll dine here again. At this price range, there are much better eel rice places within a mile of this place.(which I have reviewed recently)

Visited this spot at like 8:30 PM because a local recommended it. Wasn’t super busy because they were getting ready to end the day. I think the portions were generous and a bone got stuck between my teeth but honestly, not a bad spot to get eel over rice. There’s not water but there is a self-serve hot tea station. 🥣 Miso Soup: Complementary - I think this soup was very heartwarming. Not too salty and had some seaweed in it. Hard to mess up 🍚 Eel over Rice (L) - This eel would be pretty close to one whole prepackaged one u can buy at stores for probably 15 USD. The reviews you see warn about the bones and its true, there were bones but they weren’t super problematic. If you eat slabs of eel like this, it’s a bit normal. The eel itself was juicy and just melts. Pair it with the rice and bam you’re smiling ☺️ They could use a bit more sauce though. 🍤 Tempura - I probably wouldn’t recommend the tempura. the tempura layer was a bit too bready and not crisp at all. they weren’t super satisfying to have honestly. 🧑‍🍳 Service - It’s true, you can feel rushed but as other people mentioned, there’s always a line. It’s hard to juggle serving as many customers to earn a profit while also letting you sit and chat (This would not be the spot for that) Also, if they ask you to pay, they just want to get your check outta the way, I really don’t see a problem with you paying now versus later.

The eel rice is definitely the star of this restaurant!! The eel is nicely roasted and the sauce is fantastic! Service is good and fast. They serve the food so nicely but in a fast manner. The raw oyster with the special sauce was so good and the fried one was juicy too. The prawns are fresh but having the shell sticked to the meat after grilled takes a few mins to peel. hahah the price is definitely very affordable.

There's always a line to get in despite peak hours or not but the wait is all worth it if you know how good their specially made ell rice are. There are also a great variety of side dishes to try. I would strongly recommend ordering the large size eel rice because small one just isn't enough.

The eel rice was really good, one of the best I have had. To me it didn't seem to be that bony, like the other reviews suggested. If you eat eel often you probably won't mind it. Fried oysters tasted pretty fresh. The good thing is lone diners won't have to wait long to get seated, but the bad thing is you get seated with a bunch of random people, so your dining experience will vary. Wasn't very comfortable, more of eat-and-get-out type of place.

The most fluffy and delicious eel I've had. My sister and I shared the small eel rice, a tamago, and a grilled squid with salt and lemon. The eel was lathered with a sweet soy sauce and served with pickles on the side and a miso soup. The bed of rice it's served on is amazingly fluffy and yummy. The squid was bouncy and tender with the perfect sprinkling of sea salt. The tamago was good but didn't have much flavor. When you arrive, leave your umbrellas outside. A server will seat you and hand you menus / take your order. Food is served really quickly! Take your receipt and pay at the counter when you're done eating.

It's been a good numbers of years since I've been to this place, but unfortunately I'm still not a fan. Really wanted to love this place because it brings back a lot of childhood memories. Don't get me wrong, the grilled eel is still one of the better ones I've had. Even though it has lots of small bones (yeah, I don't like fish with bones) the eel meat is soft and well flavored. The biggest letdown would be the freshness (the food made us sick afterwards) Most of the side dishes we had seemed undercooked, both fried oysters and shrimp tasted slimy. Taiwan is an island, which is well-known for its fresh seafood, and this place is well below the standard. The unagi don was also decent, but I probably wouldn't recommend this place.

I was walking around and saw a long line so I thought I would try it out. The line moves fast and service is quick once you are seated. The inside isn't very clean. The unagi, tempura, and egg roll are good.

Food is well known for quality, since it's like other busy establishments, service is average. Environment is noisy and cramp.

Ordered eel rice, sashimi, and tempura. The eel and sashimi were very fresh. There was a wait, but it was worth it. They have an English menu so that was helpful.

This is the best unagi Don place in Taipei. All the eels are grilled perfectly and they do not put in too much teriyaki sauce on top. It does get super busy and there is a perennial queue of people waiting to get in . I love the soft and tender grilled eel served here.

All the hype and rave about their eel is well deserved. I made a stop here for dinner by myself and I was seated fairly quickly to a shared table. Similar to what others reviewed, the restaurant had quick table turnover and they spin the food out incredibly fast, as the eel over rice is premade and stacked in bento boxes by the back counter and you receive your order almost as soon as you place it. I ordered a small eel rice bowl and a side of grilled squid, both of which were so incredibly fresh and delicious. You receive a complimentary miso soup and pickled radishes as well. The squid had a chewy texture and flavored really well with smoky soy sauce. The eel itself tasted ultra fresh and flaked apart upon grabbing it with my chopsticks. Very fair price, the small eel bowl was $220NTD and the squid was $100NTD, which is roughly $11 for such a filling dinner! Would absolutely come back again if I have the chance.

Oh man was this good. First time in Taipei, google-nav walked it from my hotel. Sign is in Chinese, but the long line is the 'tell.' Great thing about solo is they pull you right into a single seat, joining 3 others already eating. Why innovate? Get the small eel, the grilled squid and if you want more, the boiled tofu and tempura. But that's ordering for taste, not hunger. The dishes are plentiful. And did I mention the eel? Just wonderful. Far from the usual salt sweetened grill tiny sushi eelstrip. I'm still thinking about it, from the other side of the planet.

Probably the best unagi don you'll find in Taipei! During peak hours, be prepared to wait and/or share a table with other people. Besides the unagi don, we also enjoyed the tempura and squid (although this wasn't too memorable).

Food is Ok , service is rush , the old guy at the front is not friendly n rude . Won't go back .

Why am I writing this review for a restaurant in Taiwan you may ask? I don't know. I don't even think they use Yelp...pretty sure they use Google reviews. But regardless, this is for my fellow Yelp users, here's a review of Fei Qian Wu. I had no clue what this place was and my friend who is well versed in Taiwanese cuisine said this place was a must try. Obviously it's very popular because we waited a good 30-35 minutes for a table of 4 in this tiny restaurant. When ordering I'm not sure why you'd come here and not get their eel rice (large or small). I'd advise to go small unless you're that hungry or want to share. The eel rice is what it says it is, delicious lightly seasoned eel with a light sauce brushed over it over a bed of white rice, served with a side of miso soup. On top of my eel rice, I also ordered sashimi which came with a mix of THICCCCC cuts of salmon and two other fish (I can't even tell you because I don't know the difference) but they were fresh as can be. The wait was definitely worth it for this place, I would recommend it to anyone traveling to Taipei to try! Grab a drink or something nearby as you wait in line or be social and talk to your friends I guess. Cost: $480NTD~$16USD Eel Rice x Large $250NTD~$8.50USD Eel Rice x Small $200NTD~$7USD Sashimi

Definitely order the unagi don! Everyone comes here and straight up gets this set box. I don't even like eel but I enjoyed the unagi don very much. The rice was seasoned deliciously and I was tempted to order a second box. We also ordered the yakitori, the squid and the tempura set. Skip the yakitori and the calamari, we could have done without the tempura set. Go straight for the unagi don. Highly recommend arriving at 5pm to get seated immediately. Definitely come here if you are in Taipei. It's a favorite amongst all my friends and I would return here if I am in Taipei again.

This is one of my favorite restaurants in Taipei, and I eat here with family whenever I visit Taiwan. It's a short walk from Zhongshan Metro Station so no one has an excuse to not go. The line is always way out the door, but have patience, because the wait isn't insanely long. They move the line quickly by seating multiple parties at one table such that every seat is filled. The specialty here is Unagi Rice (鰻魚飯) which comes in small (~300NT, 10USD) or large (~500NT, 15USD). It's the tastiest, life-changing BBQ eel on top of rice, which becomes flavored from the eel sauce. I'm secretly drooling as I write this review. I would recommend the small to anyone so there's room for the tasty appetizers. My favorite appetizer is the cold tofu (~2 USD I think) because it's really refreshing and silky. Make sure to pour just a bit of soy sauce over it for flavor. Some other things I enjoy are the refreshing wakame, fluffy tamagoyaki, and popular yakitori. My friends enjoy the sashimi (but I don't eat raw fish so I can't judge). And of course, these are all for sharing because you have to enjoy your eel (but I did eat the entire small tofu block last time). Finally, they serve everyone miso soup and you can help yourself to some hot tea. Nothing really special about these but they just enhance the meal. The food comes pretty fast after you order, and because this place is super busy, I think you can only come here to enjoy your DELICIOUS food and go, so that the next person in line can finally eat.

$250 TWD which is about $8.50 USD for a small eel rice, is an unbelievable deal. The small is honestly big enough to fully satisfy one person. It includes two huge pieces of eel covered in sauce over sushi rice in a box and miso soup. The eel was perfectly seasoned and the sauce wasn't overdone which allowed the focus to stay on the eel. I regret not ordering more items on the menu as they have various small accompaniments to the unagi don such as sashimi sets of yakitori. And although these items are not the main ones on the menu, they looked just as high quality as the eel. The line system is slightly confusing. When I entered, they gave me a menu to order and then they took my order before seating me. Then, they'll end up calling for "one person" or "two people" to occupy newly empty seats and some people will end up jumping the gun and getting seated out of order. So if you're there, just be assertive and get the worker's attention to get seated.

A packed restaurant with a line outside is usually a good sign and fei qian wu is no exception. If you need an eel over rice fix, this place will certainly satisfy your needs. Their eel is what you would expect - perfectly grilled and melts in your mouth. It's placed over a bed of rice with a sweet and savory fragrance from their sauce. I also got their bbq eel liver and pork. Both were flavorful, but I have to say they were both slightly burnt, and yet felt a little cold - like they were left out a little too long. Bbq typically has a little burnt to it but these were small pieces of meat and left a bitter taste. On top of that, the eel did have small pieces of bone here and there. It's a minor nuisance but definitely noteworthy (for children and elderly) I was expecting to shove the entire thing down. For those reason, I'm docking a point. Don't let these small things deter you from going though. They have many items on the menu that all looked delicious and I'll be back again to try those!

Delicious unagi don but you probably already knew that. Some quick tips that might be more helpful: 1. They supposedly open at 11am, but they actually started seating folks by 1040am. They were already taking orders before official opening time, so if you're able to, I'd recommend coming early to avoid a line. Brunch, anyone? 2. The unagi was good, but don't get the large -- the small is plenty and gives you room to try other dishes. 3. Our whole group actually thought some of the other dishes were more unique and tasted better than the unagi don itself. Our faves were the fresh oysters and eel liver izakaya. The grilled shrimp was ok but nothing special -- would probably pass. The eel stuffed tamago was super fluffy -- would definitely recommend. Overall, service was great despite it being somewhat of a fast turnaround. Eel pre-made, so my only complaint would be that the unagi don could have been served piping hot, but came out warm. Overall, super affordable, great quality, very clean -- highly recommend!

Popular places typically have rich, indulgent versions of their famous dishes, which will no doubt leave you satiated and make everyone jealous on social media via mouth-watering pictures. Curiously, for all the hype and long wait times (~40 minutes for us on a Monday around 7pm), 肥前屋 does not stuff you with saucy, salty rice bowls for fool-proof satisfaction's sake. Rather, the famous unagi don is crafted with a strikingly home-cooked style. The unagi itself is minimally seasoned, simple and fresh. The sauce is light as if added cautiously only to complement the fish, and the subtly flavored sushi rice is the perfect vehicle of carbs to complete the meal. Presented in a traditional rectangular box with no flourishes, the signature unagi don is culinary zen at its best. The unagi don comes in small size (1 piece) or large size (2 pieces). I think small or sharing a large is sufficient if you share other appetizers. They have a decent selection of izakaya fare, including their unique unagi egg rolls, grilled squid, and veggies (the spinach, daikon salad, and stir-fried cabbage were all yummy and healthy). I really liked the chicken yakitori, which was melt-in-your-mouth umami goodness on a stick. The ambiance is traditional Japanese with lots of wooden decor and even includes their menu items written in Japanese on vertical boards as a motif to frame their partially open kitchen. Not sure if 肥前屋 officially qualifies as hole-in-the-wall dining since it's become so popular, but who doesn't love venturing down alleys for memorable eats.

The eel was spectacular and incredibly cheap as compared to other places in Taipei. I regretted only getting one box as nothing else really compares. What really stood out was that the other items on the menu were as similarly high quality. The Katsu-Don was probably one of the best I have had so far. The squid was perfectly done. I highly recommend getting a beer with your meal because for some reason everything matched perfectly with one. Water and soda just seem too simple to match with the meal. It is as if all the food I had here and in Taiwan was designed to be paired with beer or maybe vice versa. The wait here is a little long, but the line goes by surprisingly quickly. There were a good 50 people in front of me, but small groups of 1 or 2 get seated quickly and the rest do not have to worry about more than an hour wait.

My mom was so excited to go to this place that we got there an hour before opening after getting lost a couple of times. We ended up waiting at a nearby Starbucks because it was slightly raining but when we came back, around ten minutes prior to opening, the place was already packed! Luckily we got one of the last seats in restaurants and were promptly seated. Make sure you get there early if you don't want to wait, because the line quickly shoots out the door. Now about the food. Most people order the miso soup with eel-rice lunch box. The miso soup was given an appetizer and not very special. However, the main course is something else. The medium box contains 2 large pieces of eel covering tons of rice. In my opinion, that was some of the tastiest eel I have ever had. Perfectly sauced, just the right tenderness, and tons of flavor. There were a couple of bones in the eel but was quite unnoticeable if you were to eat every bite with rice (which you should because they make a great combo!!) Probably the only criticism I have is that the flavors can get quite repetitive towards the end of the dish because of the lack of other items in the meal. Otherwise...that's pretty much the experience. Service is nothing special and the meal is very simplistic. Literally soup, rice, and eel. It is very cheap for the proportions and the food is really flavorful and well done despite how basic it looks. This is the kind of place I would go to get a meal after school or during a late night food run. I really enjoyed it but overall it was nothing completely out of this world.

I only ordered the small eel box. Came with a miso soup and slices of shaved daikon. I dont think its anything expectional. Definitely not worth the wait. Luckily i got there 15 mins before they opened for dinner on a Sunday evening. There was already a line but once they opened i got seated quickly but the line just grew from there. And in my opinion its a pretty fair price for the eel you're getting. A bulk of it is rice keep in mind. All in all, they do a decent job! Its yummy, reasonably priced and quick. I just dont justify the hype nor the wait.

This place is worth it given its price and the amount/quality of the food. I got the small unagi bento box ($250 NT) and it filled up my tummy just right. The rice was cooked nicely and goes perfectly with the unagi sauce. We also ordered the unagi egg roll. Not really sure if it matches well or worth it at all. I would just stick to the unagi bento box. You can't go wrong with that. The restaurant opens at 11 am and we were seated right away when we came at 11:20. The line was getting long when we walked out so come early! The tables turnover pretty fast but you will likely be seated with strangers. No big deal because food is yummy and I enjoyed my experience here :)

There is something I don't understand about Taiwanese people.... they apparently love waiting in lines. So let me be clear to you, dear yelp user, that any of these more popular places in Taiwan will forever require a wait, it's what we apparently love to do. But a benefit of the line is that it is often a clear indicator as to the quality of the establishment, especially if it isn't just the new restaurant dujour in town but something that has withstood the whims and flights of fancy of the fad loving taiwanese public. 肥前屋 is such a place and it doesn't disappoint. Nestled away in one of the meandering alleyways of Taipei, 肥前屋 has developed a reputation for providing the best unagi don in town. I find lots of places overly coat their eel in sauce to give it that glazed shiny look. While that may enhance instagram worthiness, it often distracts from the taste of the fish itself. Instead, the fish is left to stand on its own merits, creating a meal that satisfies without ending in a cloying sweetness that is often the final result of a bowl of unagi don. It's a rather large space decked out in traditional Japanese wood interior. The lines and wait times are such that sharing tables with strangers is common place.

This place is packed. There is line form before opening and table can be a commune table, sharing with others if you are a single or two parties. The oyster is fresh based on 12 hours test. The grill eel and mushroom are typical as I had better in Japan. The volume makes the place fresh and hype.

A-OK it is. If you're craving a higher-end unagi don, then 肥前屋 will do. Large is $480 NTD (about $16 USD). The only annoying part of the meal was actually having to navigate and spitting out tiny bones in the eel. There was a line when we arrived, but it moved quickly.

My aunt treated me here for their famous eel boxed meal. O M G, it was so freaking delicious. I am the pickiest eater when it comes to any type of seafood or fish. If it has the scent/smell of seafood, I am quickly turned off. This place really has mastered the flavoring of the eel to ensure it does not taste or smell like anything it should not. The eel was fresh in quality, grilled to perfect and seasoned perfectly. The pairing of the rice just threw me straight into a mouthgasm. Just reminiscing of my experience makes my tummy rumble and my salivate. * I wish I had a box now... The most influencing factor of the five stars besides the taste in the price...you just can't beat it. Fresh food, great portions at a reasonable price is hard to come by in Taipei. Enjoy it while it lasts :)

A local and tourist favourite for sure, this restaurant specializes in unajyu, grilled eel over rice. Go early and line up, as they will sell out and close shop. Also, you might have to share a table with strangers, which isn't uncommon in these parts of the world. When you line up, they will likely come out to ask you for the number of people in your party, and hand you a menu you can write in for an order. I think I saw tourists with menus that have English and Japanese on them, so don't fret if you can't read traditional Chinese. Pay at the counter after eating. For me, a small unajyu and a plate of stir fry veggies is plentiful. The eel is grilled really well, not overly dry, and has a slight sweetness to it. Lately the portion have gone down a bit, but it is still quite a bit of food. If you're not into eels, they have other rice dishes as well, and they also have tamagoyaki (sweet grilled egg omelet). Given the lack of good unagi outside of Japan, this is usually a must stop for me. Try it for yourself!

Best Eel Specialty in Taiwan!! This is THE PLACE for Unadon! Must-go when traveling to Taipei!! It is hidden in an alley, but you can't miss the long line of people lining up outside of the restaurant, rain or shine!! The line was long, but it was just about half an hour wait. It was raining, but it didn't stop the people from waiting in line. In order to save time, you have to order while you are in line. I recommend the Unagi Bowl (duh!) and the sashimi plate. The seating a bit overcrowded and uncomfortable, but I wouldn't mind this for a heavenly Unagi Bowl! Unagi was flavorful, tasty, and tender. Sashimi plate was very fresh. The Eel Liver Skewer was interesting. We came back again for the 2nd time in the same trip. That's how good it was! And right now I am craving for it again!

GREAT UNAGI BOWL. Also a great place to eat at if you're eating alone. It kind of retains that sort of after work salaryman feel if you've been to Japan. Pretty sure there was actually plenty of actual afterwork Japanese salarymen that were residing in Taiwan. I got the large unagi bowl and when I asked what I should get as a side the lady hilariously looked me once over and saw I was eating alone and suggested I get some veggies. To which I responded "Yeah no, I'd like some kakifry!" Kakifry was good, but the side salad was really weird... as in the sauce was very heavy not very Japanese... was it mayo + mustard based? I was really confused. The unagi of course don't need any explanation. THEY ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR UNAGI. Very delicious and fairly generous -- good value for eating unagi. Their turnaround time is fairly fast, I think there's usually a line but I went on a weekday at around 11 am (?) and I waited no longer than 10 minutes. Fairly easy to get in if you're eating alone, but even the party of 6 that came after me was seated pretty quickly. Their service is extremely fast and without frills. Would definitely come back here again!

Was looking forward to a fantastic unagi lunch. After reading the many reviews, I thought it'd be the best I'd ever have. Sad to say, it is very very overated. Queued for 30mins in the hot sun. Many of the others in the queue were tourists. We ordered the big unagi rice bento, sashimi, roast eel liver, and unagi omelette. Unagi rice : the big size is really big. I managed to finish the unagi, but left half the rice uneaten. The unagi was a little dry and barely saved by the meagre amount of sauce on the unagi. Although they used short grain rice, something about the Japanese rice doesn't seem authentic, like it's not sticky enough. There's sauce on the table, which I saw other Taiwanese people adding to their bowls. But it's okonomiyaki sauce people! not the same as unagi sauce! They don't even serve okonomiyaki. Sashimi : very fresh and thick cut. But nothing different from sashimi served at other reputable restaurants. Unagi omelette : comes like a maki roll, but omelette was a little under-seasoned and the amount of unagi in it was really little. Not worth the calories or the money. Don't order it! Unagi-liver-on-a-stick : okay. Not everything was bad, this is the best of anything on a stick I have ever had. But not enough to make me want to come back. Service : let's face it. They don't need to care to give good service. They're not rude or anything, but since its perpetually crowded, you will be expected to share your table with others if you are eating as a couple. Tables and chairs are a little small, so you'll be expected to put your bag on the dirty floor. Food is served VERY quickly. Its amazing. Faster than mcdonald's I dare say. They won't chase you out, but the bustling atmosphere just has that eat-and-go vibe. In summary,this place does not live up to its reputation. Its cheap, but not worth the queueing. Any casual Japanese restaurant in Singapore would serve better unagi.

This was #1 on my list on our full food tour day in Taipei and also because it was my birthday! So, Carlo could not say no to me going here. Being that OC person that I am, I timed our arrival to the restaurant perfectly to the minute that we arrived a full hour before they opened! Yes, we were definitely the first ones in line! At 4:50PM, the hostess came out to take down the number of folks in the already looong line and we were welcomed in right at 5:00PM. The restaurant is quite old, almost a step back into the 1970's. It definitely gave me a feel that I was about to eat something that has been passed down generations and, no matter what year it is, the place and the food will stay the same! They have an English menu and we started off with the Salmon Sashimi and a Gyudon... because the server told us to do so. We happily complied but, nothing beats the UNAGI DON! Moving on to the highlight dish, the Unagi Don! The unagi was so flavorful and broiled to a perfect crisp on the outside. The eel is beyond tender as it melts in your mouth. And the flavor of the spices and sauce doesn't overwhelm the texture of the eel. The rice was also delicious on its own. The portion size was definitely reasonable for the price. We left feeling very full and content! Super very delicious! Also, if you can, try to get a table near the kitchen so that you can see the chefs prepare the unagi! Truly amazing to see how your lunch comes from the tank, grill, then table. If you can, you must get yourself here and order yourself an Unagi Don. Don't share. Get yourself one bowl each!

This line is completely worth the wait. We went for lunch and family of four shared two eel bowls... perfection. You can even look into the kitchen and see how carefully - tenderly - they prepare the eel. Squatty potty upstairs!

Sell good food like fast food. At least try once whenever visiting Taipei but u can have good food but not so good service there...just too many people from here there and everywhere. 5 for food and 1 for service.

Its a bit overrated for unagi rice. Unless you prefer either to pick out the bones out while you eat or choose to chew and swallow fast so the bone don't get caught in your throat. Initially I thought maybe it was my piece, but it turns out my husband and my in laws one were the same and to make matter worst the dish was warm! A rice dish with one main ingredient you would think at least rice should be piping HOT, but it's not. I say don't waste your time.

One of the very popular unagi rice place in Taipei. Most of the diners here are tourists. Come early and avoid weekends or the line is guaranteed to be ridiculous!!! They also close one day a week (mid-week I think) but I forgot which day so call ahead and check! The unagi donburi is delicious. The portion is good compare to the other popular unagi restaurants in town and they are also the cheapest - hence the long queue. Aside from the unagi donburi, the egg rolls stuffed with unagi is also very popular. The eggs were fluffy and the unagi is soft. The tempura donburi my neighbor ordered is also very good! So yes, this is a place where you will be sharing tables with strangers and a get-out-when-you-are-done kind of place. If you want to stick around and talk with your friends, go somewhere else.

Found this place through 543 webblog and it's worth the trip if you like Japanese eel over rice. Aside from the eel dish, several options include egg/tonkasu over rice, grilled squid, sashimi, tofu, fried oysters (must try), skewered meat etc. I ordered the small eel bowl, which came with a bowl of miso soup and the serving size was enough. Because of long lines, orders are taken as you wait and the eel bowl is served within a minute of being seated. Talk about fast! The sashimi seems fresh although it is not their specialty. Fried oysters are very delicious without the seafood smell. A must try if you love fried oysters. Overall worth the trip.

The shop served an excellent no-frill unadon (eel & rice in a box). Unlike the typical unadons on the market, the eel wasn't soaked in a surplus of sauce, and I could actually taste the eel's natural sweetness and freshness. Service was efficient and surprisingly friendly given the fast-food-like nature of the shop. All in all a perfectly enjoyable experience once I had sat down. However, the majority of my visit was before I sat down. One really cannot talk about 肥前屋 without talking about the queue. O the queue! It was so long that I had the illusion that I was queuing up for the latest iPhone release. While the monetary cost of the unadon was very affordable, the time cost was through the roof! Come only if you have a lot of free time to spare, and bring camping equipment.

If you read the reviews below, you already know this is a go to spot when you come to Taipei. Quick summary: fresh eel, best eel bento (unagidon), even Japanese tourists come and eat here and long line. Here's some tips for those that have never been: -They do only have restaurant hours during meal times! For dinner, make sure you are here at least half an hour before they open! For lunch, avoid the 9-5ers and come before noon! There will be a line! -Last time I checked the miso soup was bottomless, just go up and ask -Other things on the menu are just as good as the eel over rice, but make sure you have enough room on the table! All in all, if it wasn't for the long line, I'd be taking all my friends to visit this place when they come to Taipei for vacation. The only issue with waiting is time is precious to those that do not have a lot of time in the country.

Reason why I visit here due ton saw lots of peoples queuing and holding travel guide. Friend of mine made reservation so able to enjoy lunch on time and found this is traditional tasting restaurant. Ordered egg / pork rice with onion this time. I can say this is the most awesome tasting I never had and for sure will visit again. Friendly reminder: make reservation before you get there as always full house

The worst, I had so many bones in the Unagi, I couldn't eat at all. It's horrible, I have bones stuck in my throat.

Avg wait of 35min. Went for dinner with friends. Food comes almost immediately. The large eel can split with 2 people or one starved soul. Also got tonkatsu, grilled squid, and eel egg. All of which were very good. The squid was exceptionally tasty! I would recommend going in once to experience the vibe, but next time I'll do takeout. Too long of a wait for me.

The line was out the door, but it moved relatively quickly. They were able to allow customers to view the menu outside and order while in line to facilitate throughput once you sit down inside. We ordered 2 small eel bento boxes,1 large eel bento box, sashimi, chicken yakitori, and fried squid. If you arrive in odd number groups, then you may have to share the table with a stranger. We had 3 in our party, therefore, we had a complete stranger sitting at our table. The table is a small one at that. The eel was well done, however, a bit dry. My neighbor and I both asked for additional eel sauce. The sashimi was fresh and how it's supposed to be done. The place is small and crowded, but definitely worth a visit. We ended up ordering more food while we were in the restaurant, but the service was quick, and we received the orders right away.

This place is pretty no-frills. I got the eel, and it was solid and for the price, totally worth it. It was very buttery and tasty. It's pretty large and has a quick turnaround (though we came at 8:30 near closing time, so there wasn't as long of a line).

Maybe I expected too much? After our meal I realized that this is just a popular fast food joint but with sit down restaurant prices. Their famous eel rice is just mediocre. Rice was too mushy and that was a major turnoff.

The best eel rice in Taipei! The price is very reasonable for such high quality Japanese style eel rice. Warning, like many popular eateries in Taiwan there is a long wait, but the wait is certainly worthwhile for the succulent, rich eel on top Japanese short grain rice. Simple and satisfying.

This is hands down the worst eel I have ever had in my life BY FAR. Yelp has this place listed as Japanese and that is a big fat lie! As soon as you step into this yucky place you feel as though you left Taiwan and walked into Communist China. Which is obvious by the sloppy rude service and miserable expressions on all of the worker's faces. Also, the place is filthy, no Japanese person would ever let their restaurant be in this condition. The eel, ugh, the eel. I shudder to think of it. Very tough and mealy and full of bones. I'm accustomed to eating very high quality eel and I had no idea that eel could even be this dry! It's normally so moist and fatty. The egg was so poor quality it was barely yellow. Also too salty and with a gross over cooked texture. I couldn't even eat the food here and I wouldn't serve it to my dog because it would offend him. The service is a disgrace. If you even ask them for a napkin (they don't give any to start with), they tell you to go get it yourself!! Taiwanese people are some of the friendliest and most hospitable folks on the planet, the people working here are definitely not Taiwanese. Don't dare bring anyone here unless your goal is to piss them off.

Definitely one of the best Japanese restaurant in Taipei. Always lining up, be sure you have time for an average 30 minutes wait. Nothing is overprice here, (unless you order large unagi rice) it's hard for two people to pay over 1k NT dollar. My favorite dish is unagi egg roll, way tooooo delicious!!!!

People in Taipei seemingly love to stand in lines. I'm not a huge fan myself, but I make an exception for Hizen-ya. It moves quickly, though, and there's a bunny. The una-ju is very good and the atmosphere is perfectly 熱鬧. The livers must be an acquired taste. You're going to be seated together with whomever anyway, so it's a perfect solo mission, especially if you live nearby. If you're uptight about your personal space, stay far far away. Afterwards, you can wander around the hood and soak up the unique nightlife. Love you, Linsen. Love you to death.

I've never been to Japan, so I can't compare with that... However, in all my unagi eating around America, this was the bestest freaking yummy unagi don I've eaten! The unagi was crispy and meaty. It had some fat but just the right amount that meats everything in your mouth. There was a thin layer of sauce over the rice that just covers it, making the bite of unagi, rice and sauce a bite of heaven. The rice was cooked nicely, with good texture. Doors opened before 11am but when I walked in at 1050am, it was almost full. They start taking orders around 11. They have a tray of already grilled unagi waiting to be plated. It was an assembly line with one lady scooping rice and sauce into the box and the cook nicely to assembling the skewered grilled unagi over. Comes with miso soup and a few pieces of pickled daikon. Self serve tea. Delicious! I want more, and now I have to plan a trip to Japan to compare!

Stayed at a hotel around the corner from here and came twice in one week. Definitely a great place for unagi (eel over rice), the eel is grilled over a fire and glazed by hand making it slightly crispy and sweet. Beware the line of tourists though! As soon as this place opens, there's a line out the door (even in the rain). Quick way to get around it - if you don't mind finding another place to eat, is going straight to the front and ordering take out. Don't wait in line to place your order, just walk directly to the cash register, order & pay.