Already checked all the sushi and ramen boxes on your Japanese food pilgrimage list? Then come along with us to the country’s favorite unagi specialist, located in downtown Tokyo.
unagi (Page 2)
Just last month we brought you news of its arrival and now it’s finally here! It’s the delicious/disgusting-sounding Eel Cola, made with real eel extract.
If the thought of drinking it makes you shudder, never fear: your intrepid RocketNews24 reporters have done the tasting for you. All the details after the break!
Japan, thanks to its obsession with limited-edition and seasonal foods, has come to be known for its unusual drinks and snacks that come out throughout the year – matcha-flavored Kit Kats, purple sweet potato milkshakes, and sakura flavored hamburgers to name but a few.
Soda is no exception in the world of weird flavors, what with shiso and salted watermelon flavors having graced store shelves in the past. But here’s an even crazier one for all of you adventurous eaters out there: grilled eel flavor soda.
Even though I was an extremely finicky eater growing up, my palate has broadened quite a bit since moving to Japan. In the years I’ve spent living in Tokyo and Yokohama, I’ve become convinced that cooking a cut of tuna is the quickest way to ruin its flavor, spicy cod roe makes an excellent pasta sauce, and that chicken cartilage isn’t just something you can eat, but should.
Still, I’m not entirely sold on unagi, or freshwater eel. Honestly, the flavor is surprisingly mild and not unpleasant, but I still have a hard time getting past the mental image of the snake-like appearance for something that, in my opinion, tastes just OK and is a little on the expensive side.
On the other hand, unagi-shaped chocolate pastries make a much more compelling argument.
MOST POPULAR
Now
New adults go wild at Seijinshiki Coming-of-Age ceremony in Kitakyushu, Japan 【Photos】
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Bamboo trees vandalized near Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari shrine, foreign graffiti prevalent
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Man arrested for violating Japan’s anti-dueling law in downtown Tokyo
Serial foot licker apprehended in Kyoto after 30-minute lick-attack
10 crazy pizzas from Japan
Shop cats of Tokyo: Snoozy Jirocho and feisty Ishimatsu rule the roost at Cafe Arles
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Japanese women show continuing decline in how much they expect a husband to earn in survey
Weekly
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal- Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
- Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Monthly
- 10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches- Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements- Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Yearly
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Serial foot licker apprehended in Kyoto after 30-minute lick-attack
10 crazy pizzas from Japan
Shop cats of Tokyo: Snoozy Jirocho and feisty Ishimatsu rule the roost at Cafe Arles
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Japanese women show continuing decline in how much they expect a husband to earn in survey
The Purple Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard is an extra-large waste of money
New Japanese Kit Kat flavour on its way, as finalists from international voting announced
Turn a persimmon into a pudding with one simple ingredient
What’s inside Starbucks Japan’s fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
Starbucks Japan releases new popcorn Frappuccino at one special location
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Senkoji: The Japanese temple that’s more like a theme park to heaven and hell
Pokémon Lego kits are finally on their way!【Photos】
-
