Baba Shouten

Approaching Baba Shouten in Kyoto's Sanjo Shopping Arcade, the fragrant aroma of eel grilling toward the back immediately whets the appetite. While the setup is strictly counter-service takeout with no dine-in tables, a steady stream of patrons stops by for the hand-grilled unagi and home-style deli dishes.

The signature eel is prepared either as kabayaki, glazed with a savory-sweet sauce and grilled until deeply aromatic, or as unseasoned shirayaki, which highlights the fish's natural richness enjoyed simply with salt. Another favorite is umaki, a rolled omelet encasing tender pieces of eel; the soft, precisely cooked egg and savory eel make a natural pairing with steamed rice.

Beside the eel, a vibrant showcase displays a wide variety of prepared side dishes (osozai). Packed in neat single-serving portions, these small containers make it easy to pick up a diverse selection in small amounts. Their approachable, comforting seasonings work equally well as an effortless addition to the evening dinner table or as casual accompaniments for evening drinks.

Service at the counter comes with thoughtful attention, whether staff are suggesting daily sides or carefully packing the grilled eel so it stays intact on the way home. Alongside cash, payments via PayPay are accepted, keeping this a dependable, unpretentious stop during a shopping run along the arcade.