Is Unagi and Eel Sauce The Same?

You may have heard about unagi and eel sauce, but are they really the same thing? For many people, the answer is yes, but there are some differences between the two. To help you understand the difference, let’s take a look at the ingredients, instructions, and nutrition of both unagi and eel sauce.

Ingredients

Unagi is a Japanese dish made from freshwater eel that has been grilled and served over a bed of rice. It is often served with a sweet and savory sauce, which is called unagi sauce. The sauce typically includes soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, and sometimes vinegar.

Eel sauce is a type of sweet and savory Asian-style sauce made from a combination of ingredients such as soy sauce, sugar, mirin, sake, and sometimes vinegar. It is commonly used as a dipping sauce for sushi, but can also be used as a marinade, glaze, or condiment.

Instructions

To make unagi sauce, start by combining soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar in a small saucepan. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar is dissolved. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then remove the pan from the heat and let the sauce cool to room temperature.

To make eel sauce, start by combining soy sauce, sugar, mirin, and sake in a small saucepan. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar is dissolved. Then reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Finally, remove the pan from the heat and let the sauce cool to room temperature.

Nutrition

Unagi sauce is a high-calorie sauce, with around 100 calories per tablespoon. It is also high in sodium, with around 500mg of sodium per tablespoon. In addition, unagi sauce is low in fat and contains no cholesterol.

Eel sauce is also high in calories, with around 85 calories per tablespoon. It is also high in sodium, with around 400mg of sodium per tablespoon. In addition, eel sauce is low in fat and contains no cholesterol.

Conclusion

So, is unagi and eel sauce the same? While the ingredients and instructions for making both are similar, there are some slight differences. Unagi sauce is slightly sweeter and higher in calories than eel sauce. Both sauces are high in sodium and low in fat, and contain no cholesterol.