Unadon and the Midsummer Day of the Ox

I ate Unadon on the other day.
Unadon is a rice bowl topped with grilled eel.
Usually, eel is grilled over charcoal fire.
After grilling, spread the sauce mixed with soy sauce, sugar, Japanese sake.
It is called “Kabayaki” of eel.
Outside is charred and the sauce is best with grilled eel.

the Midsummer Day of the Ox（土用の丑の日）

There is a custom to eat eels on the day called ” Midsummer Day of the Ox” (土用の丑の日/ Doyo no ushi no hi).
There is original calendar in Japan that tells the season.
It was mainly used as a guide for agricultural work, and it was made according to the climate of Japan.
In that calendar, “Doyo” represents about 18 days before the turn of the season.
And “ushi” means ox in Japanese.
In the old days, when counting days, animal names like rat, ox, tiger, etc. was used instead of numbers.
So, the day of the Ox during “Doyo” period in summer is “the Midsummer Day of the Ox” (土用の丑の日/ Doyo no ushi no hi).

Where to eat Unadon

There is an eel restaurant in a city.
Eel is a long-shaped creature like snake, but it is a fish.
If you see picture of eel or character of “鰻(うなぎ）” in front of restaurant, they must serve Unadon.
Recently, in the summer, you can eat unadon also in a gyudon chained restaurant.
Unadon is expensive compared to another donburi, but it’s worth a try.
※”donburi” made by putting rice in a bowl and putting something on it like “Tendon”.
Once you eat it, you will want to eat it again!