When planning a trip to Osaka, one of the most popular attractions you’ll probably come across is Osaka Castle.
To be honest, if I were traveling with just my friends, I probably would have skipped it. I’m more of a shopping and food-hunting kind of traveler!
But this time, we had three little kids with us, so spending the entire trip shopping wasn’t really an option.
Of course, I had another reason for visiting Osaka Castle…
I wanted to try a delicious Japanese eel rice bowl!
That’s how I discovered Unagi no Maruyoshi Taniyon (うなぎの丸吉), a restaurant located just a short walk from Osaka Castle.
And here’s my verdict: The grilled eel was absolutely amazing, but the Wagyu beef was a little disappointing.
Let me share my experience and some useful ordering tips!
1. A Hidden Gem Near Osaka Castle
Unagi no Maruyoshi Taniyon is a Japanese restaurant specializing in grilled eel rice bowls, also known as Unagi Don or Unadon.
The restaurant is located approximately 550 meters from the Osaka Castle entrance we used, which took us about 8 minutes on foot.
Getting there was surprisingly easy. Once we headed in the right direction, the route was almost a straight walk.
There were several other restaurants nearby, but the large menu displayed outside made Unagi no Maruyoshi easy to spot.
Whenever I travel abroad, I usually check Google reviews before choosing a restaurant.
At the time of our visit, this place had a Google rating of over 4.6 stars, so I was pretty excited to try it!
The best part? You can easily combine Osaka Castle sightseeing with a delicious Japanese lunch.
2. Restaurant Atmosphere and Waiting Time
The restaurant was smaller than I expected, but it had a cozy, casual atmosphere.
Inside, there were approximately six counter seats facing the kitchen and three tables for two people.
Since we were traveling as a group of seven, I was a little worried about finding enough seats.
Luckily, we arrived around 11:20 AM, just before the lunch rush, and were seated immediately without waiting.
By the time we finished eating, more customers had started arriving.
Since the restaurant isn’t very large, I’d recommend visiting a little earlier than the usual lunch hour, especially if you’re traveling with a group.
3. Unagi Don or Wagyu Don: What Should You Order?
Although Unagi no Maruyoshi specializes in grilled eel, they also serve Wagyu beef rice bowls.
The eel dishes come in different portions, with prices varying depending on how much eel you order.
Now, here’s where things got complicated…
My daughter is a very picky eater, and she doesn’t usually eat eel.
Honestly, bringing her to an eel restaurant was probably more about what I wanted to eat than what she wanted. Sorry, sweetie! LOL.
So when I noticed Wagyu beef on the menu, I was relieved.
My daughter loves beef, so I figured it would be a safe choice.
Eventually, I ordered the Half Unagi & Half Wagyu Rice Bowl, which lets you enjoy both grilled eel and beef in one meal.
- Menu: Half Unagi & Half Wagyu Rice Bowl
- Price before tax: ¥3,800
- Price including tax: ¥4,180
I thought ordering both would be the perfect way to enjoy the best of both worlds.
Well… things didn’t turn out exactly as expected!
4. The Grilled Eel Was Absolutely Incredible!
When our food arrived, the first thing I tried was the grilled eel.
And WOW.
It was seriously delicious!
I’m not exaggerating when I say it was easily one of the top three grilled eel dishes I’ve ever had.
The eel was incredibly tender, fluffy, and moist. It practically melted in my mouth.
The sauce was another highlight.
It had that perfect combination of sweet and savory flavors, coating the eel beautifully without being overly salty or sweet.
Together with the warm rice, every bite was amazing.
At that moment, I had just one regret.
Why didn’t I order a bigger portion of eel?!
I honestly wished I had skipped the beef and ordered a full eel rice bowl instead.
If you’re a fan of Japanese grilled eel, I think you’ll really enjoy this place.
5. The Wagyu Beef Was a Little Disappointing
Unfortunately, the Wagyu beef didn’t live up to my expectations.
Since it was described as Wagyu sirloin, I expected something soft and tender.
But the beef was surprisingly tough and chewy.
Even my daughter, who absolutely loves beef, took a few bites and said:
“Mom, this meat is too tough!”
And honestly… she was right. LOL.
The seasoning itself was pretty good, but the texture of the beef was disappointing.
Of course, this was just our personal experience with the dish we ordered. The quality and texture might vary depending on the day or menu.
But here’s the funniest part.
Remember how I said my daughter doesn’t eat eel?
Well, guess what happened next?
She started stealing my eel!
Excuse me, young lady?!
I thought you didn’t like eel!
In the end, even my picky daughter preferred the grilled eel over the Wagyu beef.
I definitely didn’t see that coming!
6. My Best Ordering Tip for Unagi no Maruyoshi
After trying both dishes, my recommendation is pretty simple.
If I visit Unagi no Maruyoshi again, I’ll order the grilled eel rice bowl without hesitation.
The eel was much more enjoyable than the beef, especially because of its tender texture and delicious sauce.
If you already love Japanese grilled eel, I’d recommend choosing a menu with a generous portion of unagi.
And if you’re visiting with children who don’t normally eat eel, you might want to let them try a little before automatically ordering the Wagyu.
Who knows?
They might surprise you, just like my daughter did!
7. Is Unagi no Maruyoshi Worth Visiting?
If you’re planning to visit Osaka Castle and looking for a good lunch spot nearby, Unagi no Maruyoshi Taniyon is definitely worth considering.
It’s within walking distance of the castle, and we were able to enjoy our meal without waiting by arriving before the lunch rush.
Most importantly, the grilled eel exceeded my expectations.
Although the Wagyu beef wasn’t my favorite, the unagi alone made the visit worthwhile.
Would I come back?
Absolutely! But next time, I’m ordering a full eel rice bowl!
If you’re searching for a delicious unagi rice bowl near Osaka Castle, make sure to add Unagi no Maruyoshi to your Osaka food itinerary.
Happy travels and happy eating!
