Must-Try Unagi Chain Premium Live Eel

Man Man Japanese Unagi

📍 3 locations · Keong Saik, Clarke Quay, Duo Galleria 🐟 Unagi Specialist · Live Eel 💰 Mid-range · S$20–40/person ⭐ 4.2 Google Rating

Highlights

Great for
Date Night · Special Occasion · Unagi Connoisseurs
Signature
Live eel grilled to order · Hitsumabushi 3-way
Experience
Watch eel tank → cutting → charcoal grilling at counter

About

Man Man was Singapore's first dedicated unagi specialty restaurant, founded by Chef Teppei Yamashita. Live eels imported from Japan are kept in tanks at the entrance and prepared fresh when ordered. Sit at the counter to watch the entire process — cutting, skewering, and slow charcoal grilling by expert chefs.

The flagship Keong Saik Road location quickly became one of Singapore's most talked-about Japanese restaurants. Two additional locations followed at Clarke Quay Central and Duo Galleria. The star is the Hitsumabushi — Nagoya-style eel in a wooden tub, eaten three ways. For serious unagi lovers, the live-eel difference is unmistakable.

Recommended For

Unagi ConnoisseursDate NightSpecial OccasionCounter Seat ExperienceFood PhotographersKeong Saik Foodies

Menu & Pricing

* Prices approximate, subject to GST. Keong Saik closed on Sundays.

Practical Info

Locations
Keong Saik · Clarke Quay Central · Duo Galleria
Hours
Lunch 11:30am–2:30pm · Dinner 6–9:30/10pm · Keong Saik closed Sundays
Reservation
Keong Saik via Chope · Others: contact directly · Weekend queues likely
Payment
Cards, Cash
Delivery
GrabFood, foodpanda (unagi is best dine-in)
Tip
Request a counter seat at Keong Saik — watch live eel preparation

Dietary Info

Not HalalLive eel — maximum freshnessFresh wasabi servedNot vegetarian-friendly

Signature Dishes

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Photos

Photos coming soon. Visit @manmanunagi.keongsaik for the latest food photos.

Your Dining Journey

1

Reserve or Queue

Book via Chope for Keong Saik, especially weekend dinner. Walk-ins accepted but expect waits. Weekday lunch is easiest.

2

Grab a Counter Seat

At Keong Saik, request a counter seat — watch live eels being cut, skewered, and charcoal-grilled. Culinary theatre that elevates the experience.

3

Order the Hitsumabushi

Hitsumabushi is the reason to come. Eat in four portions: plain, with condiments (real wasabi, shallots, nori), as ochazuke, then your favourite way.

4

Don't Skip the Tamagoyaki

Tamagoyaki is a standout side — sweet, fluffy, golden. Chawanmushi also complements the eel beautifully. Both worth ordering.

5

Appreciate the Craft

Man Man isn't fast food — preparation takes time. Expect 15–20 minutes. Enjoy the atmosphere, charcoal aroma, and grill master's skill.

Find a Location

Keong Saik (Flagship)
1 Keong Saik Rd #01-01 · Chinatown · Closed Sun
Clarke Quay Central
6 Eu Tong Sen St #B1-52/53 · Clarke Quay MRT
Duo Galleria
7 Fraser St #01-48 · Near Bugis MRT
📍 All Locations on Map

Editor's Note

Man Man is the unagi experience in Singapore. Not the cheapest, not the fastest, but unquestionably the most authentic. The live eel produces a superior product — charcoal-grilled with crispness and depth that pre-prepared alternatives cannot match. Keong Saik flagship with counter seats is the definitive location. Budget S$30–40 per person — a fundamentally different calibre of unagi.

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The Three Ways of Hitsumabushi

Man Man's Hitsumabushi experience is not just a meal — it is a ritual. The grilled eel arrives in a wooden ohitsu (rice container), and you eat it in three distinct stages. First, scoop a portion into your bowl and eat it plain — tasting the pure charcoal-grilled eel with its caramelised tare glaze. Second, add the condiments: fresh wasabi, shredded nori, finely sliced spring onions — each adding a new dimension. Third, pour hot dashi broth over the eel and rice to create ochazuke — transforming the dish into a comforting soup that draws out the eel's deepest flavours. This Nagoya tradition gives you three completely different experiences from one dish, making it one of the most interactive and thoughtful ways to enjoy unagi in Japanese cuisine.

How to Visit

Most outlets are located in major shopping malls across Singapore, easily accessible by MRT. No reservations are needed — simply walk in. During peak lunch hours (12:00–1:30pm) and dinner hours (6:00–7:30pm), expect short waiting times at popular outlets.