When my friend Rieko from Japan came to visit, she brought a bunch of fun gifts. Among the more exotic ones were a pack of Baby Foot, which hadn’t made it to Denmark yet back then, some jet-black cotton swabs so you can actually see what you’re dealing with (!), and a box of Hamamatsu Unagi Pie.
Unagi means eel in Japanese, and yes, Unagi Pie is exactly what it sounds like: a sweet pastry made with eel. But don’t worry, it’s not a fishy pie in the traditional sense. Think buttery, flaky, palmier-style pastry, crisp and caramelized, with a small amount of eel added to the dough. Sounds strange? It is, but it also kind of works.
The ones Rieko gave me were the deluxe version with a hint of cognac. They were golden, light, and crisp, with a sweet, toasty flavor. No fishiness whatsoever, which was a relief, because very eel-flavored pastries would have been too weird. Just knowing that eel had been added to the dough was enough to make me proceed with caution.
What is Unagi Pie?
Unagi Pie is a regional specialty from Hamamatsu in Shizuoka Prefecture in central Japan. It was first created in 1961 by the local confectionery company Shunkado, which still makes them today.
The pies are made from a buttery, flaky dough similar to what’s used for palmiers. They’re thin, crisp, and caramelized, with eel added to the dough. There are several different versions, including Unagi Pie V.S.O.P., the deluxe version with brandy and macadamia nuts. The result is a golden pastry with a sweet, buttery, slightly toasted flavor and just the tiniest hint of something savory in the background.
Hamamatsu has a long history of unagi, particularly around Lake Hamana, where eel farming dates back to around 1890. That probably explains why someone, at some point, thought eel also deserved a spot on the ingredient list of a pastry.
If you ever find yourself in Hamamatsu, you can visit the Unagi Pie Factory and see how it’s all made. Self-guided visits are free and don’t require a reservation, and there are also guided tour options. I’d definitely stop by if I were in the area, because how often do you get the chance to visit a factory dedicated entirely to eel pastries?
Visit the Unagi Pie Factory's website>
Curious about Japanese Unagi (Eel) Pie?
