Bincho Ginzaten

Ginza is THE shopping belt in Tokyo where you have the most high end shopping in Japan. And right there in Ginza is also a very reasonable Unagi Restaurant - Hitsumabushi Bincho. Located at the Marronnier Gate Building (about 7 minutes walk from BIC Ginza) and on the 12th Floor, Hitsumabushi Bincho ...is a welcome eat after walking for most part of the morning. We were there for lunch. We arrived just about after 1.30pm and all the office crowd had vanished. We were seated right beside the window with a view to the rest of Ginza. For foreigners, an English menu is available. I ordered the Hitsumabushi while my wife ordered the Unagi-don. With the Hitsumabushi, you receive the unagi-don in a bowl together with clear broth and condiments. You are supposed to divide the unagi-don into four (quarters). Step 1 - put one quarter into the side bowl provided and savour as is - no condiments, no broth. Taste the flavour of the oily grilled eel with the sauce. Step 2 - Put the next quarter into the bowl and try it with the spring onions and wasabi. Mix well and eat. Step 3 - Put the next quarter in the bowl and add the spring onions, wasabi and dashi broth. Mix well and enjoy. Step 4 - for the last quarter, enjoy it in any one of the three previous methods. My favourite is with the dashi broth. The hitsumabushi and unagi-don are served in traditional Japanese lacquer bowls - both come covered to keep the warmth in. Lovely lacquer box bowls. On to the flavours - excellent! Well grilled and the slightly sweet sauce enhances the eel which is thick but fluffy. I'm not sure about you, but I like the slightly burnt parts the best. The view from the window seat was not bad - take your time to savour the unagi-don and enjoy the view of the people walking by in busy Ginza. The Marronnier Gate building also houses a shopping mall and its worth a walk after a heavy lunch. Definitely a great meal of unagi. If you are in Ginza, stop by Hitsumabushi Bincho for a real meal of unagi-don.

Visited July 2019

Visited yesterday. Very delicious meal. Can enjoy three type of eating style with one dish. Very interesting. Very attentive and kind staff. Very cozy and neat environment at 12th F/L I will bring my family later.

Visited July 2019

What can really be said. Fifty two years ago I tasted my first grilled ell over rice. For five years I enjoyed the dish now and then. What can be said about something once tasted. Many times we might say something taste just like mother's cooking or grandmother's cake. Well I found that lost ta...ste. Talking about an enjoyable experience. Talking abut savoring the taste of the broth that made the ell and rice the taste that had been lost for so many years. The restaurant is part of a large chain in Japan. The ambiance was nothing really special. The service was nothing short of spectacular. Every part of the set we ordered was exceptional. Well there is one thing. When I first tasted the ell and rice dish some 50 plus years ago it was not in a five star restaurant. I experienced this wonderful dish and taste in a small place somewhere in a nondescript restaurant in Japan. So if you want five star look some where else. If you want an ambiance that is breath taking pass on this place. If you want an authentic meal and the taste that is truly part of Japan, then this is the place to try.

Visited May 2019

Cozy ambience , nice view of Ginza area from the 12th floor if you are seated by the window. The location is good. After shopping in the building , just head up to the 12th floor for a meal The service is efficient and friendly . Value for money , deliciously prepared fresh unagi on fluffy ri...ce with condiments and soup. We have eaten many Unagi dishes in Japan and other parts of the world and this place serves one of the best 👍🏼

Visited February 2019

Tried the different ways of eating it - as is, with condiments, with clear broth. Did this the Hitsumabushi way - learning about Nagoya style of cooking and eating local eels. All are good. Eel done nicely, broth is delicious - enjoyed this unagi meal!!

Visited January 2019