Kaisui-an: Trying the "Grilled Conger Eel Fuhafuha Bowl" for Lunch at This Akasaka Restaurant, Ranked Among Tabelog's Top 100

I visited “Kaisui-an,” a popular restaurant just a 4-minute walk from Akasaka Station where lines form even before it opens. This highly regarded establishment—which has been selected as one of Tabelog’s Top 100 Restaurants—serves its signature “Grilled Conger Eel Fuhafu Rice Bowl, ” so I’m here to share what makes it so special.

A top-tier restaurant featured on Tabelog’s Top 100

Kaisui-an is a Japanese restaurant with a calm atmosphere, tucked away in an Akasaka alley. Look for the brown noren curtain and black earthenware jars—it’s so popular that lines form even before opening. In addition to counter seating, there’s a tatami room with sunken kotatsu tables, making it a great spot for meals with friends and acquaintances.

Mashukuma

The fact that people are already lining up before opening really gets me excited!

Yoruneko

It’s no wonder it was selected as one of Tabelog’s Top 100 Restaurants.

A handwritten blackboard featuring an extensive selection of rice bowl dishes

The blackboard out front is filled with handwritten rice bowl options, including “Grilled Sardine Rice Bowl,” “Boiled Whitebait and Grilled Sardine Oyakodon,” “Three-Ingredient Rice Bowl,” “Grilled Conger Eel with Fluffy Egg,” and “Premium Conger Eel Rice Bowl.”They only accept cash, and lunch hours are a bit short—from around 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.—so I recommend visiting early if you plan to stop by.

Trying the signature “Grilled Conger Eel ‘Fuhafuha’ Bowl”

This time, I ordered the “Grilled Conger Eel and Egg Fufu-Fufu ” (1,600 yen). The conger eel, slowly grilled over charcoal after the order is placed, has a unique, toasty aroma and a fluffy texture that’s in a league of its own.True to the restaurant’s name, the dish features a generous layer of fluffy, runny egg covering the rice, topped with fragrant grilled conger eel and chopped nori—a sight that alone brings immense happiness.

With just one bite, the silky-smooth egg, the umami of the conger eel, and the rice soaked in the sweet-and-salty sauce come together in perfect harmony—a flavor so delicious it brings an involuntary smile to your face. You’ll find yourself devouring it all in one go without ever getting bored. With two side dishes and miso soup (nameko mushroom soup) included, it was thoroughly satisfying.

Mashukuma

The conger eel spilling over the bowl—what an impressive sight! The fluffy, runny egg looks delicious, too~

Yoruneko

Since it’s slowly grilled over charcoal, the smoky aroma must be on a whole other level.

I’m also curious about the dishes other customers were ordering.

Looking around at the other customers, it seems many are choosing the “Sardine and Shirasu Oyakodon” or the “Grilled Sardine Rice Bowl.” With such a wide variety of rice bowls available, it makes me want to try something different on my next visit. Even after I left, there were still a few people waiting in line, which really drove home just how popular this place is.

Summary

Aisui-an’s “Grilled Conger Eel ‘Fuhafuha’ Rice Bowl” features aromatic charcoal-grilled conger eel paired with fluffy, runny egg—a dish that’s no wonder it keeps regulars coming back. They only accept cash, and their hours are on the shorter side, so I recommend arriving early if you plan to visit. If you’re looking for delicious rice bowls in Akasaka, be sure to stop by.

Mashukuma

If you want to enjoy a delicious rice bowl in Akasaka, I highly recommend Kaisuian!

Yoruneko

Since they only accept cash, make sure to check your wallet beforehand.

Aisui-an Store Details