elver; young eel
Refers specifically to young eels, especially those used in Japanese cuisine. The kanji 針 (needle) and 鰻 (eel) describe the thin, needle-like shape.
In spring, elvers can be caught in the river.
Elver tsukudani goes well with rice.
Compound of 針 (hari, 'needle') and 鰻 (unagi, 'eel'), referring to the thin, needle-like shape of young eels.