Izuei Main Branch

We managed to have lunch at this popular <i>unagi & tempura</i> specialty restaurant near Ueno Park, after waiting about 45 minutes though we came early for lunch time. The manager was not friendly towards international visitors and did not try to explain properly the waiting / queue system. We saw many Japanese customers can directly go to the counter and got the ticket number, while he asked us to wait outside the building for the tickets to be distributed when there were quite long queue outside the building. I can understand why most customers were local Japanese. Once inside, you can ask for English menu and order what you like with the waiter staff. We ordered the <i>unajyu</i> lunch set and the <i>Izuei</i> lunch set that included half <i>unagi</i> and a few <i>tempura</i> pieces along with rice, miso soup and pickles. We also got a small glass of beer to accompany our lunch. The meals were good and we love the grilled eel and sauces, though the <i>tempura</i> is nothing special. Total meal costs were ¥ 8,140 which is quite expensive, but still reasonable considering quality ingredients and good restaurant ambience. The restaurant is quite big with many dining floors available. The waiting staff members gave us good customer services, so we only had bad experience with the front manager. You can pay with V/MC payment cards, so it is good for international customers.

There are many tables so we didnt have to wait for the queue. We sat near window with park view. Foods were tasty and well decorated. We had sake with gold sakura leaves inside, so cute!

They have non-eel options if your party can’t have eel! :) delicious himeju— not too salty, lightly flavored. The side dishes with the himeju were great!!! You may not enjoy the eel if you like stronger flavoring. Pretty good service! We came 10 minutes before opening on a weekday lunch and could get in as soon as we opened. Line wasn’t too long, but as we ate the line grew a bit. The line never seemed more than 5 parties, and seemed to move quick.

We went there for the history and reputation, but were a bit disappointed. Main offering was delicious but doesn’t stand out compared to less expensive alternatives. Service was slow, and the waitress took the order of Japanese diners that were seated after us first. Won’t go again.

Queue around 15minutes for lunch. I have high expectations of this store, but it failed my expectations on the unagi. The unagi is tasteless, I hardly use the word tasteless to describe unagi, but the seasoning of unagi is so weak that I never experience before. Somehow the side dish is quite fine.

We enjoyed the food very much. I got the Himeju set and the eel was very gentle, not oily. The pickles and small dishes were subtle and interesting, in the typical Japanese style. We thought the staff were very kind and worked patiently with our limited Japanese language skills. The view of Ueno Park and the interior design is truly captivating. It could be more affordable, but we felt it was all worth the price. It was also nice to be able to choose a large, medium, or smaller eel portion.

Wow! I don’t know where to start, upon arrival, the staff was very friendly and kind. They’re English was really good, the server was very detailed with explaining the menu to me. The food came very quickly and the presentation and taste was flavorful and beautiful. I will definitely come back here again when I travel to Japan in the future. This is my favourite restaurant to come to when I am craving a hearty eel dinner.

One of, if not, the nicest unagi shops I've been to. Easy to find, impeccably clean and white glove service. The staff wore kimono and were very attentive. For the prices they advertised, I didn't expect the experience I received. Will definitely be returning on my next trip to Ueno.