Unagi Don (Grilled Eel Rice Bowl)

Ingredients

Sesame seeds

1 tablespoon, toasted

Green onions

2, thinly sliced

Nori (seaweed)

1 sheet, cut into thin strips

Japanese rice

2 cups, cooked and kept warm

Sugar

1 tablespoon

Mirin

1/4 cup

Soy sauce

1/2 cup

Unagi (freshwater eel)

2 fillets

Instructions

1. Heat your grill to medium-high heat.
2. For the sweet soy glaze, combine soy sauce, mirin, and sugar in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat until the sugar completely dissolves. Set this glaze aside for later use.
3. Grill the unagi fillets for roughly 5 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked and slightly charred.
4. Remove the unagi from the grill and generously brush both sides with the prepared sweet soy glaze.
5. Place the unagi back on the grill for an additional 1-2 minutes on each side, applying more glaze as needed to create a sticky, caramelized coating.
6. Take the unagi off the grill and let it rest for a few minutes.
7. Slice the rested unagi into thin, bite-sized pieces.
8. To serve, divide the warm cooked rice among bowls. Layer the sliced unagi on top.
9. Garnish each bowl with strips of nori, a sprinkling of toasted sesame seeds, and sliced green onions.
10. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy this delightful taste of Japanese culinary tradition.