Speedy and Great Value! One of the Top-Selling Locations Among ~400 Branches: Naruse’s Unagi Fukuoka Watanabe Dori Store

Naruse’s Unagi is a group of unaju specialty restaurants operating across Japan.
Since opening its first store in September 2022, it has continued to expand and now has about 400 locations nationwide.
Among them, Naruse’s Unagi Fukuoka Watanabe Dori Store is known as one of the top-selling stores within the group.

Unaju is grilled eel (kabayaki) over rice served in a lacquered box-a classic beloved in Japan.
The sweet, toasty aroma of the tare (eel sauce) used for seasoning is especially appetizing.
There are three grades and three portion sizes.
The grades are Nami (“Regular”), Jo (“Superior”), and Tokujo (“Premium”), and the portion sizes are Ume (half an eel), Take (three-quarters of an eel), and Matsu (one whole eel). You can order by choosing any preferred combination.

Although compact, the exterior has a clean and welcoming look.
You can also see the interior through the glass doors.
Inside, there are counter and table seats, with 19 seats in total.
With a high proportion of counter seating, it is easy to use even when dining alone.
The decor is based on a modern Japanese style, with warm wood tones creating a cozy space.

The restaurant is open 11:00 am-3:00 pm for lunch and 5:00 pm-9:00 pm for dinner.
It’s busy throughout the day and attracts many tourists.
Especially during lunchtime, lines are common, so we recommend booking online in advance.
Unaju served in the restaurant is also available for takeout.
You can dine in, or take it to enjoy at your accommodation or while on the move.

Prices vary depending on the combination of eel grade and portion size, so you can order according to your budget.
As a guideline, the average budget is around 2,600 yen per person.
Payment methods include cash, plus e-money/QR payments such as PayPay, Kakao Pay, and Alipay.
Please note that credit cards are not accepted, so be sure to prepare cash or e-money payment before visiting.

From Fukuoka Airport, ride the Fukuoka City Subway Airport Line for about 11 minutes to Tenjin Station.
After getting off at Tenjin, go through Tenjin Chikagai and board at Tenjin-minami Station (Fukuoka City Subway Nanakuma Line).
From Tenjin-minami, it is one stop to the nearest station, Watanabe-dori.
It’s also close to Hakata Station, about 5 minutes away.

From Watanabe-dori Station on the Fukuoka City Subway Nanakuma Line, it is about a 3-minute walk to the restaurant.
From Exit 2 of Watanabe-dori Station, turn left, and proceed straight along the main street.
Turn right at the corner where the building housing Hotel Monterey Fukuoka stands, and continue; you will see Hotel Monte Hermana Fukuoka.
After passing in front of Hotel Monte Hermana Fukuoka, Naruse’s Unagi Fukuoka Watanabe Dori Store will be immediately on your right.

The greatest commitment lies in the quality of the eel.
At Naruse’s Unagi, only eel that meets ideal standards in the three points of flavor, price, and safety is carefully selected.
The type of eel differs by grade: Tokujo (Premium) uses Japanese eel raised in Nishio City, Aichi Prefecture.
For Jo and Nami, Japanese eel (Nihon unagi) raised at carefully selected overseas farms is used.
By sourcing only from farms with excellent water quality and a well-controlled warm environment, the restaurant provides delicious eel with no off-odor and rich fat.
Strict management is maintained from the aquaculture farms to the processing plants, meeting stringent standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 22000 (food safety management), and HACCP, ensuring high quality and safety.

Although eel tends to have a high-end image, Naruse’s Unagi Fukuoka Watanabe Dori Store offers it at reasonable prices.
The price of unaju is determined by the combination of eel grade and portion size.
You choose from three grades-Nami, Jo, and Tokujo-and three portion sizes-Ume, Take, and Matsu.
The most affordable option is the Nami grade in the Ume portion (half eel) at 1,600 yen.
The highest-priced item is the Tokujo grade in the Matsu portion (one whole eel) at 4,400 yen, which is still quite reasonable compared to long-established specialty eel restaurants.
You can select the volume and price of your unaju according to your budget, whether you want a casual taste or a more substantial experience.
The combinations and prices are as follows.

Naruse’s Unagi Fukuoka Watanabe Dori Store is known for fast service.
The secret to the speed lies in its proprietary steam-grilling system.
By introducing this unique system, there is no longer a need for artisans to spend a long time grilling; staff can consistently prepare kabayaki of stable quality at any time.
This enables a new experience of eating authentic eel right away.
Unaju can be ready in as little as 5 minutes after ordering, keeping waits short.
This is a major advantage for customers with limited time for sightseeing or business.

If you want to fully enjoy unaju, we recommend Jo no Matsu, which lets you savor one whole eel of high quality.
Among the three available grades, Jo, which offers high-quality eel at a reasonable price, is popular among Japanese diners as well.
The Jo no Matsu unaju features one whole Nihon unagi raised at carefully selected aquaculture farms.
When you open the lid, perfectly grilled kabayaki appears.
The sweet aroma of tare made with soy sauce and mirin gently rises and whets your appetite.

The generous eel has thick, substantial flesh.
At Naruse’s Unagi, the kabayaki is prepared Kanto-style: the eel is steamed once and then grilled.
The well-seared surface provides a pleasant, crisp bite, while the interior is plump; the sweetness of the fat spreads as soon as it enters your mouth.
It is tender enough to bite through easily yet has a satisfying, springy texture-truly filling.
The rice infused with the sweet tare is also superb.
Naruse’s Unagi Fukuoka Watanabe Dori Store uses the Fukuoka brand rice Genki Tsukushi.
With distinct, glossy grains that are delicious both freshly cooked and even when cool, it is wonderful with the eel and also enjoyable on its own, satisfying down to the very last grain.
Please savor the unique unaju flavor you can only enjoy at Naruse’s Unagi Fukuoka Watanabe Dori Store.

The Tasting Comparison Ju is a special menu that lets you enjoy the differences among the eel grades.
It includes one-quarter each of Nami, Jo, and Tokujo, totaling the same eel volume as Take (three-quarters of an eel).
Nami uses a leaner eel for a lighter taste.
It has a clear eel flavor without any strong aftertaste, making it easy to eat.
Jo features fattier eel with a rich, deep flavor.
Despite the thick flesh, it is tender, and the sweetness of the fat becomes more pronounced as you continue eating.
Tokujo, which uses Japan-raised eel, offers melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and refined umami with a rich, satisfying taste.
The flesh gently falls apart the moment it touches your tongue-an exquisite texture.
Although richly fatty, it is not heavy, achieving an excellent balance.
Not only is the fluffy flesh delicious, but the seared skin is also tender, releasing the eel’s umami with each bite.
By trying all three, you can enjoy differences in flavor and texture by grade-an appeal unique to the Tasting Comparison Ju, which is recommended for first-time visitors.

The Tokusei Dashi Set lets you enjoy your unaju in an ochazuke-style finish.
It is a standard closing dish often ordered by many Japanese guests.
The set includes tokusei dashi (house broth), nori (seaweed), a rice bowl, and a spoon.
To enjoy eel ochazuke, do not finish your unaju outright-leave a small portion for the end.
Transfer the remaining eel and rice to the bowl, add the nori, and pour over the tokusei dashi to complete the dish.
The broth soaks into the eel and rice, transforming it into a light, refreshing finish.
It is a set that lets you experience a new way of enjoying eel, distinct from the aromatic, richly flavored unaju.