I'm a huge unagi fan but decided to check out Tamai Nihombashi Honten based on all the positive reviews and the fact that it was near where I was staying. I arrived about 30 min early and there was already a lineup of about 15...people. Luckily I made the cutoff for the "first round" and sat at counter seating. The menu is self explanatory but the waitress still makes the effort to take you through it. Sidenote: I did notice that the English version has fewer options than the Japanese one for both the anago and appetizer options so I had copied the couple in front of me and ordered tempura. I had ordered the version where the eel is cooked two different ways and the different condiments that accompany the meal truly enhance the flavors. I forget the name but there's an option to add a soup to a portion of eel and rice that you intentionally put to the side. Well worth it! Overall, one of my favorite experiences, I will indeed be revisiting on future visits!More

This is a famous anago (sea eel) restaurant, it is different from the river eel unagi. No reservation taken, be prepared to get in line. I was here for lunch, which they have various set to choose from. They are famous for both the simmered...and grilled versions. You could order a combo and try both!More

We arrived at about 8ish on a Friday night, without reservation (Duh!) So it's no surprise to find a full house. We did ask if we could be put on waiting list, but they said no. One reason being they wouldn't know when a table...would be available, and since last order was at 9, they were worried that if we got the table too late there wouldn't be enough time to present a quality meal. Fair enough. They did offer to send us to other outlets, but we opted instead for making reservation for another day. We then walked around to scout for other restaurants. Few minutes later, I heard someone calling my name from behind. It was one of the waiters from Tamai. He had just run, for minutes, to let me know a table has become available! While Japanese are known for exceptional service, what they did was extraordinary even by Japanese standard! So we went back to the shop and had an enjoyable dinner. The food was good, but I was more impressed by the excellent service. And I shall return when I have a chance.More

One of the best eel bowl restaurant in Tokyo. Remember that They serve Anago, not Unagi. Staff are very friendly. You may need to wait for some times but it's worth waiting on the line.

Saw the reviews and went there for lunch as was nearby. Short Q during lunch but as dining alone so was fast to be seated. Chose the 3 ways of eating with mixed boiled and grilled anago (half-half). Can’t decide if I prefer to just...eat the anago with wasabi or inside the soup as both tasted delicious. Service was excellent. Would recommend to try if you are in the vicinity. Near nihonbashi station as well.More

We visited the place after reading positive review in Tripadvisor. We did not regret our choice! They serve good quality food with authentic japanese style. If you want to try both steam and grilled anago (eel), order medium / large portion. The waitress migh not...speak fluent english, but they were very informative toward us on how should we eat the meal. Spare some rice and the anago in the bowl, as they would serve you hot soup at the end of the meal. The soup goes really well with the spared rice and anago. Last order is 20:30.. and they are usually bussy, so come early for dinner.More

Came here on a cold winter night and this time made a reservation through my hotel concierge. Last time I was in Tokyo this place rubbed me a bit on the wrong side when I entered and there was nobody there and they told me...I needed a reservation. But I still wanted to try and this time I managed. I prefer unagi, maybe because it is fattier? But this was good too. Next time I'll do the daishi broth at the end. All in all it was good but not excellent and in Tokyo good is not enoughMore

I was firstly impressed by the exterior-looking of the restaurant, old & tyical japanese style surrounded by modern building in that area. Inside was cosy and authentic. The service was fast and kind. The taste was worth as its cost.

Perhaps one of the best anago I had. You may see a long line during the lunch time but you won't wait too long if you are solo. Highly recommended.

Located in the back streets behind Takashimaya, it is a wooden house at the corner. We did arrive early to line up but was surprised to find a very spacious restaurant inside. We ordered 3 large anago sets (2 simmered/steamed and 1 half and half...(half simmered, half grilled). The grilled anago was a bit tough, so I'd say to make your orders completed simmered/steamed. Of course this is a personal preference. This way you can taste the tenderness of anago and its natural sweetness. The lunch sets were served in a lacquer box (hakomeshi) over hot rice. I think there are at least two layers of anago & rice. We also upgraded our orders to include chazuke, which allowed us to enjoy the remaining anago and rice by pouring the hot anago dashi over them, making a flavourful anago rice soup. You can see the anago bone inside the soup. We were so full with the large anago orders that we had to ask for takeout boxes so not waste any food. If you are in Tokyo, do enjoy the outstanding anago at Tamai!More

You can only have eels but it's definitely worth trying. Go early as the last order is taken at 9 and lask for the starters as they are not written om the English menu. Highly recommended.

Hole in the wall small restaurant serving mostly barbecued and boiled eel and rice in bento boxes. Very delicious and smooth-taste eel. The sauce is to die for. This has to be an attraction in downtown Tokyo.