Hizen-ya (肥前屋) vs Hamamatsu-ya (濱松屋)

If you try to look up "best una-don in Taipei", these two restaurants will probably show up on the top search.  Of course, I didn't miss a beat when I was in Taipei earlier and went to both places so I can compare.

Hizen-ya (肥前屋) 

Hamamatsu-ya (濱松屋)

The restaurants are very different in style and so are their una-don.  肥前屋 (Hizen-ya) offers your traditional una-ju (鰻重).  The restaurant is more casual and prices are friendlier.  The wait could be long even on weekdays.  If you arrive too late, you are running a risk that they may be sold out on their unagi.

I also ordered the unagi egg rolls at both places to compare.
I preferred these ones at Hizen ya :)
They were denser and sweeter

濱松屋 (Hamamatsu-ya) on the other hand is more upscale.  They have partitions with screens that give patrons maximum privacy.  They service Nagoya's style hitsumabushi here (i.e., una-don three ways).  In fact, 濱松屋 came up with a fourth way to enjoy the unagi rice by giving you a soft boil egg to mix with the rice and the eel!

The prices are almost double here :S

The partitions with screens for privacy

#1 unagi and rice

#2 unagi and rice with condiments

#3 unagi ochazuke

#4 unagi over rice with a soft boiled egg

Both were delicious and it's hard to pick a winner.  If you like variety and privacy, I would recommend 濱松屋 but if you just want a simple and good una-ju that is friendly to the wallet, go to 肥前屋.

Hizen-ya (肥前屋)
台北市中山區中山北路一段121巷13-2號
Phone: +886 2 2562 8701
Hours: (Lunch) 11:00 - 14:30; (Dinner) 17:00 - 21:00; Closed on Mondays

(Hamamatsu-ya) 濱松屋
台北市中山區中山北路二段45巷23號之1
Phone: +886 2 2567 5705
Hours: (Lunch) 11:30 - 14:00; (Dinner) 17:30 - 23:00