What is eel sushi?

Eel sushi, or "unagi," is made from pieces of freshwater eel wrapped in seaweed, rice or both. Eel is commonly used in Japanese cuisine and is a popular sushi ingredient in both Japan and the West.

Unlike many popular types of sushi fish (such as salmon or tuna), the eel is usually grilled or cooked before it is used in sushi, since uncooked eel has an unpleasant smell and potential health risks. It is often covered in a brown "eel sauce" made from eel, sake, sugar and soy sauce, or with other variants of soy sauce. Saltwater eels or "anago" are also used in sushi, but this is less common.