Hitsumabushi is a local specialty in Nagoya and it shows with multiple options everywhere. The one at Bincho near Nagoya station didn’t disappoint.
Nagoya has hitsumabushi restaurants all over and many are concentrated in or around the Nagoya train station. I was debating between Maruya and Bincho and eventually opted for the latter only because it was the nearest to where I parked my car. It’s situated at the Esca underground which is at the Basement 1 of the JR Nagoya station. They have an underground carpark at Basement 2 which makes it convenient to access. Or you could take one of the many underground exits around the station which cannot be missed.
While Bincho was certainly delicious with the eel crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, it
Hitsumabushi is an experience. An entire eel, or more if you so desire, laid on a bed of japanese rice and consumed in four phases. You portion a quarter for each phase and first you eat it as is. Second you mix in some condiments which usually include thin seaweed strips, spring onions and wasabi. Third you pour in some hot clear soup which is provided on the side and fourth you go wild and eat it however you wish.