©Arukikata. Co. , Ltd.  |  ©Bringer Japan Z Inc.

Atsuta Houraiken Main Store

Verified [Verified] denotes information that has been published with confirmation of its owing parties.

Atsuta Houraiken Main Store

This shop originated ‟Hitsu-mabushi”, Nagoya's famous eel dish which can be enjoyed in three different ways.

3.33 4

Last update :
Supervised by :  Atsuta Houraiken Main Store

Founded in 1873 in front of Atsuta Jingu Shrine, this restaurant is the birthplace of "Hitsumabushi", Nagoya's famous eel dish. Hitsumabushi, which is a registered trademark of Atsuta Horaiiken, is a dish of broiled eel chopped into small pieces and served on a bed of rice in a container called an "o-hitsu".

The fresh eel is grilled over binchotan charcoal to make the skin crispy and the meat fluffy. The secret sauce that has been handed down from generation to generation is also the secret to its deliciousness.

The mainstream of "Hitsumabushi" is to enjoy it in three ways. The first is to enjoy the savoury eel with rice, the second is to serve it with condiments such as spring onions and wasabi and the third is to add dashi-tsuyu(dashi broth). You can enjoy the deliciousness of eel all the way to the end by gradually changing the taste.

There is also "Jingu store" near the main store as well as “Matsuzakaya Nagoya store”which is close to Sakae, Nagoya's central business district.

Highlights

  • The restaurant is the birthplace of "Hitsu-mabushi", Nagoya's famous eel dish.
  • It is usually served in three ways: as it is, with condiments, or with broth.
  • The fresh eel is grilled over binchotan charcoal to make the skin crispy and the meat fluffy.

Photos

  • The famous Hitsu-Mabushi. First of all, taste it as it is!

    The famous Hitsu-Mabushi. First of all, taste it as it is!

  • Second to serve with condiments

    Second to serve with condiments

  • Final to add dashi tsuyu and tase the flavour.

    Final to add dashi tsuyu and tase the flavour.

  • The outside appearance with traditional Japanese atmosphere

    The outside appearance with traditional Japanese atmosphere

  • Table seating available as well as tatami room.

    Table seating available as well as tatami room.

  • Eel rolled Chimaki available only with orders is also popular as gifts

    Eel rolled Chimaki available only with orders is also popular as gifts

Reviews

4

Some reviews are AI-translated.

  • wendy
    See More

    Last time I came, it was closed, so this time I specifically chose a weekday and lined up early in the morning. I finally got to try it!

    You can get a numbered ticket first, so you don't have to stand around waiting in front of the restaurant. You can visit nearby Atsuta Jingu Shrine and return to the restaurant at your designated time, which makes planning your itinerary very convenient.

    This time I ordered their signature hitsumabushi, and I highly recommend it! The eel was crispy outside and tender inside, the sauce had just the right balance of sweet and salty, and it wasn't too greasy. It went perfectly with the well-separated grains of rice. The portion was also larger than expected, so for women, I'd recommend ordering the small size, which should be plenty filling.

    Three ways to enjoy it, each with a different flavor

    First way | Plain

    Start by enjoying the aroma and texture of the eel itself. The crispy-outside, tender-inside eel with the sauce lets you best appreciate its original flavor.

    Second way | With toppings

    Add chopped green onions, nori, and wasabi for richer layers of aroma and texture. The wasabi also makes the overall flavor more refreshing.

    Third way | Ochazuke

    Finally, pour in the broth to make a light eel ochazuke. It doesn't feel heavy even down to the last bite, and all three ways of eating it really have their own distinct character!

    Overall, I finally didn't miss out this time. With hitsumabushi, you can enjoy three different flavors in one bowl—plain, with toppings, and as ochazuke. It's delicious enough to be worth trying.

  • BobbyJenny
    See More

    Located in Nagoya, Atsuta Houraiken Main Store was founded in 1873 and is one of the city’s most iconic places to try hitsumabushi. The fresh eel is carefully grilled over charcoal, giving it crispy skin and tender meat. Its rich aroma pairs beautifully with the restaurant’s secret sauce, which has been passed down for generations without being overly sweet.

    The highlight of hitsumabushi is enjoying it three ways: first on its own, then with toppings like green onions and wasabi, and finally with broth poured over it, ochazuke-style. Each preparation brings out a different flavor.

  • 王小鈞
    See More

    You can’t visit Nagoya without trying hitsumabushi!

    Atsuta Houraiken Main Store truly lives up to its reputation, and it’s worth the wait. The eel is crispy on the outside and tender inside. Paired with the special sauce, it has the perfect sweet-savory balance and is packed with flavor.

    First, enjoy the eel and rice as is. Next, add nori, green onions, and wasabi. Finally, pour dashi over it to make eel ochazuke. Each way offers a different flavor.

    It’s easy to see why this place has stayed so popular for so many years. I’m still craving that amazing taste!

    If you’re traveling to Nagoya, be sure to add this classic eel dish to your itinerary!

  • 胡一峰
    See More

    The sauce and grilling skills are key to making great eel rice, and here, the Hitsumabushi is definitely their signature dish. It's so good, you'll keep craving it!

Details

Name in Japanese
あつた蓬莱軒 本店
Postal Code
456-0043
Address
503 Godocho, Atsuta-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi
Tel
052-671-8686
Closed
Wednesdays and the 2nd/4th Thursdays of the month (open on national holidays).
Business Hours
11:30am - 2:30pmL.O., 4:30pm - 8:30pmL.O.
Budget
4,000yen～
Access
3 mins walk from Nagoya City Subway Atsuta Jingu Temma-cho Stn.
Credit Cards
Accepted (Visa, UC, DC, UFJ, American Express, etc.)
Official Website
Official Website (English)
Hokkaido Tohoku Kanto Chubu Hokuriku Kansai Chugoku Shikoku Kyushu Okinawa