Unagi Yondaime Kikukawa

Authentic Unagi from Nagoya at One Bangkok in Ploenchit

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Unagi Yondaime Kikukawa at One Bangkok serves excellent grilled eel prepared by a skilled Japanese chef. As you walk in front of the restaurant, you can watch the cooking process through a large window before enjoying some tender unagi served over rice with condiments. The elegant dining room and reasonable prices make it a great place for a Japanese meal in the Ploenchit area.

The restaurant’s roots trace back to 1932 in Nagoya, Japan, where it began as Nakasho Shoten, a respected unagi wholesaler. Now led by fourth-generation chef Yuhei Kikukawa, the brand has expanded to over 30 locations worldwide, including branches in Thailand, Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

In Bangkok, there are two branches: the first opened in EmQuartier in early 2024, and the One Bangkok branch followed in October 2024.

At One Bangkok, the chef prepares the eel in front of a window, allowing passersby to admire the traditional grilling technique. The eel is grilled over binchotan charcoal and served in handcrafted Minoyaki tableware, which retains heat and adds to the dining experience.

One of the signature dishes here is the Whole Broiled Hitsumabushi Eel in Kabayaki Sauce (1,290 THB), which we ordered. It comes with pickles, a side dish, soup, and a condiment set. There’s a little note on the menu that says, “Eat the way you like, depending on your mood. Enjoy the various flavours of each dish.” I like that they suggest taking your time with it. Prices here are very reasonable for this level of quality and care. If you’re in the Ploenchit area and in the mood for excellent unagi, I really recommend giving this place a try.