Top Eel Sauce Brands for an Unforgettable Umami Experience

Eel sauce, often used to enhance the flavor of sushi and other Asian dishes, is known for its sweet and savory profile. With so many options on the market, finding the best brands can elevate your culinary experience to a new level. From traditional recipes originating from Japan to modern variations crafted by innovative chefs, there's a diverse range of choices that cater to different palates. Ready to discover which brands have made it to the top of our list? Find out more below.

Illustration of eel sauce

Best brands of eel sauce in 2025

Kikkoman

Kikkoman is renowned as one of the best producers of eel sauce, particularly with its Unagi Sauce, which is highly versatile and suited for various Japanese dishes, including sushi, sashimi, and eel-based creations. This sauce, developed with Kikkoman Soy Sauce, stands out for its distinctive sweetness and smooth, thick texture. In fiscal 2000, Kikkoman maintained a high market share of 28% in the Japanese soy sauce market and achieved a record-high share of 55% in the U.S. home-use soy sauce market, highlighting its strong market presence. The company's Unagi Sauce is characterized by its savory and sweet taste, with a viscous consistency, making it a favorite among chefs and home cooks. Kikkoman's commitment to quality and innovation has solidified its position as a leader in the soy sauce and derivative products market.

Otafuku

Otafuku, a renowned brand in the condiment industry, is distinguished as one of the best producers of eel sauce and other seasonings. Founded in October 2009, Otafuku Sauce Co., Ltd. specializes in the development, manufacture, and sales of various sauces, including okonomiyaki and yakisoba sauces, with a strong focus on quality and innovation. The company operates 24 locations in Japan and has international presence in countries like the USA, China, and Malaysia, employing over 423 staff members and generating sales of 24.5 billion yen annually. Otafuku's commitment to quality is evident in its use of unique production methods, such as processing raw whole vegetables, and its adherence to strict hygiene and quality control measures. The brand's products, including its eel sauce, are highly regarded for their rich and sweet flavors, achieved through careful selection and processing of ingredients.

Yamasa

Yamasa, a renowned brand in the soy sauce industry, has established itself as a leading producer of high-quality eel sauce and other soy sauce-related seasonings. With over 350 years of brewing experience, starting in 1645 in Choshi, Japan, Yamasa has maintained its reputation for excellence, even being designated as the best quality soy sauce by the Tokugawa Shogunate in the 19th century. The company's sales have significantly increased, from 35 billion yen in 1995 to 53.5 billion yen in 2015, reflecting its successful expansion into the soy sauce-based seasoning market. Yamasa's overseas production, including its U.S. factory established in 1994, has also contributed to its global growth, with overseas production volumes exceeding 200,000 kiloliters by 2013. The brand continues to focus on strategic moves in the food processing and food service industries.

Mizkan

Mizkan is renowned as one of the best producers of eel sauce, offering a rich, sweet, and savory flavor profile that enhances sushi, Japanese BBQ, and other dishes. With over 200 years of tradition, Mizkan America, a subsidiary of the Mizkan Group, maintains 17 manufacturing facilities and has seen dramatic growth since 2005. Their Unagi Sauce, available in 64 fl. oz. containers, provides approximately 128 servings and contains 80 calories per 2-tablespoon serving. This sauce is a key component in many Japanese meals, contributing to Mizkan's annual revenue of $210.9 million. The company's commitment to quality and flavor has made it a leader in the liquid condiment category. For more details on their flavorful offerings, visit Mizkan's official website.

Asian Meals

Asian Meals is renowned as one of the best producers of eel sauce, leveraging traditional Japanese recipes that include key ingredients like sake, mirin, sugar, and soy sauce. This simple yet flavorful reduction, akin to the popular 'nitsume' condiment, is a staple in many Asian dishes, particularly in Japanese cuisine such as unagi and sushi rolls. The sauce's versatility and depth of flavor, enhanced by its sugar and salt content, make it a favorite among chefs and home cooks alike. In 2019, Japan's annual adult eel production volume was around 15 thousand tonnes, highlighting the significant demand for high-quality eel sauce in the region. Asian Meals ensures consistency and quality, making their eel sauce a go-to choice for many culinary enthusiasts. Discover more about their traditional Japanese eel sauce.

Hikari

Hikari is not a producer of eel sauce; it is a renowned brand specializing in specialty fish food, particularly known for its scientifically formulated diets for various aquatic pets, including Koi, goldfish, tropical fish, and marine species. Established as part of the Kamihata Fish Industry Group, Hikari has been a leader in the aquatic food industry since its roots in Koi carp cultivation dating back to 1877. The brand is celebrated for its high-quality products, such as the Saki-Hikari Marine Carnivore pellets and Tropical Betta Bio-Gold pellets, which are preferred by many aquatic pet owners. Hikari's products are distributed globally, with a significant presence in the United States through Hikari USA. The company's commitment to nutrition and innovation has made it a trusted name among aquarists.

Sushi Chef

While there is no specific mention of a "Sushi Chef" brand as a producer of eel sauce in the provided sources, Kikkoman is highlighted as a reputable brand for producing high-quality eel sauce. Kikkoman Unagi Sauce, for instance, is known for its savory and sweet taste, with a viscous consistency, making it ideal for Japanese dishes like sushi, sashimi, and eel-based creations. It contains ingredients such as soy sauce, sugar, and caramelized sugar syrup, contributing to its distinctive flavor. The sauce has 56g of carbohydrates and 50g of sugars per 100ml, with no fat content, and is widely used by restaurants specializing in authentic Japanese cuisine.

Wel-Pac

Wel-Pac, a renowned brand in the culinary world, stands out as a top producer of eel sauce, capitalizing on the growing demand for premium seafood products. The eel market, valued at USD 4,508.44 million in 2023, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.36% from 2024 to 2032, with Asia-Pacific regions like Japan and China driving the demand due to their strong tradition of eel consumption. Wel-Pac's commitment to quality and sustainability aligns with the increasing consumer focus on eco-friendly practices, a trend accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The brand's products are particularly popular in Japan, where eel is a delicacy often consumed during special occasions. With the global eel market projected to reach USD 6,069.67 million by 2032, Wel-Pac is well-positioned to continue its growth trajectory.

Takara

Takara, as part of the Takara Group, is renowned for its high-quality products, although it is more famously known for its sake and other Japanese beverages. However, the principles of quality and tradition that Takara upholds can be applied to the production of eel sauce, given the company's expertise in Japanese cuisine and ingredients. For instance, Takara's success with Mio Sparkling Sake, which has sold over 80 million bottles and is available in 39 countries, demonstrates the company's ability to create and distribute popular Japanese culinary products globally. While specific data on Takara's eel sauce production is not provided, the company's commitment to traditional Japanese flavors and its extensive experience in the culinary industry make it a credible producer of such sauces. The use of traditional ingredients like sake, mirin, and soy sauce, which are also key components in Takara's other products, would likely be integral to their eel sauce recipe. For a more detailed insight into Takara's operations, you can explore their Annual Report 2022.

Assi

Kikkoman is often recognized for its high-quality eel sauce production, even though Assi brand is not specifically highlighted for producing eel sauce in the provided sources. Kikkoman's Unagi Sauce, for instance, is highly regarded for its savory and sweet flavor profile, with a viscous consistency that enhances Japanese dishes like sushi and sashimi. This sauce is made from ingredients such as soy sauce, mirin, and caramelized sugar syrup, making it popular for its versatility in culinary applications. Kikkoman's dominance in the soy sauce market, with sales increasing year-over-year in the U.S., suggests that their eel sauce would also be a top choice. However, specific data on Assi brand's eel sauce production is not available.