The eels are first grilled and then steamed to remove excess fat, then seasoned with a sweetish sauce.
Well-prepared unagi combines a rich flavor (a bit like pate) with an appetizing texture - crisp on the outside but succulent and tender on the inside.
Grilled unagi is a quite important delicacy in Japan.It's traditionally eaten during the hottest part of the summer (on the "Day of the Ox" on the lunar calendar) to provide strength and vitality for the rest of the year.