鰻(うなぎ)

うなぎ
noun
eel
1. eel
A long, snake-like freshwater fish prized in Japanese cuisine, especially when grilled with a sweet soy-based sauce (kabayaki).
夏(なつ)バテ防止(ぼうし)に鰻(うなぎ)を食(た)べる。
I eat eel to prevent summer fatigue.
鰻(うなぎ)の蒲焼(かばや)きは日本(にほん)の伝統料理(でんとうりょうり)だ。
Grilled eel (kabayaki) is a traditional Japanese dish.
土用(どよう)の丑(うし)の日(ひ)に鰻(うなぎ)を食(た)べる習慣(しゅうかん)がある。
There's a custom of eating eel on the Day of the Ox during doyo.
Midsummer tradition in Japan

CULTURAL NOTE:
Eating 鰻(うなぎ) is especially associated with 土用(どよう)の丑(うし)の日(ひ) (Day of the Ox during the hottest period of summer), believed to provide stamina and prevent heat exhaustion.

COMMON DISHES:

  • 鰻(うなぎ)の蒲焼(かばや)き (grilled eel with sweet sauce)
  • うな重(じゅう) (eel over rice in a lacquer box)
  • うな丼(どん) (eel rice bowl)
  • 白焼(しらや)き (plain grilled eel without sauce)
  • ひつまぶし (Nagoya-style eel rice)

NOTE ON SUSTAINABILITY:
Japanese eel (日本(にほん)ウナギ) is classified as endangered. Conservation efforts are ongoing.

Related Words

Related: 鰹(かつお) (bonito)
general
Added 2026.1.17 12:13 · Revised 2026.6.13 15:38
06000/06105_unagi