I think I got this tin, the brand of which appears to be “Asian Taste”, from H-Mart. Although it might be from Asahi Imports on Burnet (I’m in Austin, TX). I don’t remember how much it cost, but I remember both places being a haul of tins that I thought were reasonably priced.
What I want is something along the lines of the baked Unagi you get from Sushi places and I have yet to find THAT. However I did really like this stuff.
For reasons I can’t quite put my finger on, I am reminded of jerky a friend of mine used to make. The flesh is firm (in a good way) and there are spines in there, but they are very like sardine spines. Which are the consistency of al dente pasta IMO.
I am a spine enjoyer, so this is a plus for me. As an experiment, I tried removing the spines, and the ones in this tin were quite delicate in addition to the firmness of the pieces, so it was difficult to pull them off in single or large pieces.
So if you were not a spine enjoyer that might get your way, but I don’t think so.
The flavor from the sauce and the fermented soy beans as… roasty and rich? Like I said, it kind of reminded me of beef jerky that a friend of mine used to make except it was eel instead of beef so it was flaky instead of… Well, let’s be honest even good beef/venison jerky is kind of stringy.
I had this over rice with Ponzo sauce and sprinkled with furikake that I got from Trader Joe’s.
It was a very nice lunch!
by TARDISinaTEACUP
14 Comments
One of my favs! Enjoy!
my family regularly buys a similar style of tinned fish (ours is fried dace with black beans) and the most delicious way I’ve had these is as a stir fry with spare ribs! It adds the most amazing hit of umami
I make mine with rice in the rice cooker – rehydrated the eel and spreads its deliciousness through the rice YUMMMMM
Ochizuke-Style Eel Rice with Miso Soup
https://www.reddit.com/r/CannedSardines/s/QYmk9V3WQt
Roasted Eel Rice (base recipe)
https://www.reddit.com/r/CannedSardines/s/MG73Wyidjh
So jealous
Can vouch for how good these are as well as just the regular tin. It’s a rich sweetness and I too love the little crunch to add texture. If you like bbq eel sushi you’ll love these.
Speaking of texture, they’re firm in the best way. The sauce is absolutely delicious in of itself.
I have several specialty markets close to me and am very fortunate these are like $2-3 can’t remember. I grab a couple tins every once in a while.
that’s new. nice.
Yummy eels
It’s ok to try, but not something I have craved
I’m having deja vu from this, I think I ate something like this before. Yes it did taste kinda like fish jerky, sweet and salty, super good
I’ve also been on the hunt for something that compares to sushi place unagi. Ecofood Armenia Eel in Unagi Sauce served over hot rice fit the bill pretty well for me. A little pricier but it might be worth checking out.
[https://rtg.fish/product/ecofood-armenia-eel-in-unagi-sauce-clear-lid/](https://rtg.fish/product/ecofood-armenia-eel-in-unagi-sauce-clear-lid/)
I love these over a bowl of hot rice with avocado, cucumber, edamame, and furikake.
Do you taste that your highness???? Those are the ROASTED EEEEELLLS.
Heyyyyyy Fellow Austinite here!!!
Love canned roasted eels! Wish they were far more common.