also: しょうじんウナギ
noun
tofu-based mock eel dish
A vegetarian dish made primarily from tofu, shaped and seasoned to resemble grilled eel (unagi). Associated with shōjin ryōri (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine).
See also: 精進 (しょうじん)
精進うなぎは、豆腐と山芋で作った精進料理の一品です。
Shōjin unagi is a dish in Buddhist vegetarian cuisine made from tofu and yam.
あの精進料理店では、精進うなぎが人気メニューだ。
At that vegetarian restaurant, the mock eel dish is a popular menu item.
うなぎ is real grilled eel, whereas 精進うなぎ is a vegetarian imitation made from tofu.
Common mixed kanji-kana spelling; 精進 indicates Buddhist vegetarian cuisine, and うなぎ is written in kana.
Full kanji spelling; less common but still seen in some contexts.
Katakana spelling for うなぎ; sometimes used for emphasis or in menus.
Compound of 精進 (shōjin, 'Buddhist vegetarian practice') and うなぎ (unagi, 'eel'). The dish is a vegetarian substitute for eel, created within the tradition of shōjin ryōri.