Japanese eel
Freshwater Asian fish
A Japanese eel is a species of freshwater eel native to East Asia, prized in Japanese cuisine as *unagi*.
The eels are typically grilled with a sweet soy-based sauce and served over rice: We ordered the unagi don at the Japanese restaurant.
Wild populations have declined sharply due to overfishing and habitat loss, making farmed eel increasingly common.
Regularly moving between regions
- freshwaterNon-saline aquatic environment
- marineRelating to the sea
- spawningReleasing eggs to reproduce
- MarianaName for deepest waters
elver · nocturnal · carnivorous · serpentine · elongated · lifecycle · larvae · maturation
Japanese cuisine's eel
- donburiJapanese rice bowl dish
- tareUnladen container weight
- rice bowlVessel for steamed grain
- grilledCooked on metal bars
charcoal · smoky · teriyaki · sushi · sashimi · izakaya · seafood · savory
Preventing waste or loss
- threatenedExpressed intent to harm
- extinctionComplete vanishing of a species
- overfishingUnsustainable marine harvest
- habitat lossElimination of living spaces
population decline · vulnerable · protection · sustainability · biodiversity · depletion · regulation · recovery plan
Lacking friction, hard-to-grasp
- slickSmooth or craftily adept
- slimyWet, slippery, unpleasant
- mucousSlime-producing, bodily
- slitherySliding with smooth motion
oily · smooth · wriggle · squirm · elusive · gelatinous · viscous · wet
Expensive nonessential comfort
- expensiveCosting much money
- rareSeldom found or seen
- exquisiteFlawlessly crafted, delicate
- succulentMoist and flavorful
flavorful · gourmet · traditional · seasonal · specialty · prized · delicatessen · gastronomy
migratory
Regularly moving between regions
- freshwaterNon-saline aquatic environment
- marineRelating to the sea
- spawningReleasing eggs to reproduce
Mariana · elver · nocturnal · carnivorous · serpentine · elongated · lifecycle · larvae · maturation · metamorphosis
unagi
Japanese cuisine's eel
grilled · charcoal · smoky · teriyaki · sushi · sashimi · izakaya · seafood · savory · umami
conservation
Preventing waste or loss
- threatenedExpressed intent to harm
- extinctionComplete vanishing of a species
- overfishingUnsustainable marine harvest
habitat loss · population decline · vulnerable · protection · sustainability · biodiversity · depletion · regulation · recovery plan · CITES
slippery
Lacking friction, hard-to-grasp
slithery · oily · smooth · wriggle · squirm · elusive · gelatinous · viscous · wet
luxury
Expensive nonessential comfort
succulent · flavorful · gourmet · traditional · seasonal · specialty · prized · delicatessen · gastronomy · culinary
Japanese eeldeep-sea fish
Marine life from ocean depths
tuna · marlin · whale · coral reef fish · salmon
Japanese eelpufferfish
Fish that expands
globefish · sunfish · octopus · flounder · sea urchin