Gangseo eel restaurant for three-way hitsumabushi: Kikukawa

I first tried hitsumabushi in Japan and it was so delicious that I kept thinking about it... Then I found this really tasty eel rice bowl place at One Grove in Magok, so off I went!!

The atmosphere is totally upscale and the food is delicious, so I think it would be perfect for a date or get-together. It also has private rooms, so if you have an important gathering, it would be best to reserve ahead.

Location and parking at Unagi Yondaime Kikukawa One Grove Branch

It is in Building A. Having been there, I think it is easier to find from outside the building than from inside! 🚆 Magok Station Exit 2 / Magongnaru Station Exit 5

🚔 Parking validation time varies by spending amount.

• ₩20,000–₩30,000: 1 hour
• ₩30,000–₩50,000: 2 hours
• ₩50,000–₩100,000: 3 hours
• Over ₩100,000: 5 hours

Since the food is on the pricier side, I think you can naturally get up to three hours of free parking 😃

Eel restaurant menu

There are course meals, à la carte dishes, and alcoholic drinks on the menu.

Since it is an eel specialty restaurant, naturally there are lots and lots of eel dishes, haha.

• Hitsumabushi: ₩38,000
• Kizami hitsumabushi: ₩30,000
• Mentaiko hitsumabushi: ₩48,000
• Kikukawa set meal: ₩40,000
• Unadon: ₩33,000
• Children's set meal: ₩16,000
• Sashimi set meal: ₩35,000
• Tempura set meal: ₩33,000

There are dishes besides eel as well, so even people who cannot eat eel can come enjoy Japanese food without any pressure 😎

They also sell a wide variety of drinks, so it seems great for gatherings or work dinners! (Of course they have bokbunja, Korean black raspberry wine, too!)

An upscale dining room, private rooms, and counter-style seats

The interior is so, so, so! upscale. It genuinely made me feel like I had come to a fancy restaurant....

The regular dining-room tables are very spacious, with a good amount of space between them, so it was perfect for having a quiet conversation over a meal.

The rooms along the wall also have such upscale interiors that dining with someone important would feel even more like treating them to something special, haha.

There are counter-style seats in front of the kitchen too, so even if you come alone to eat or drink, I think you can enjoy it without feeling awkward.

They have high chairs too, so do not worry about visiting with kids 😃 (There is a children's set meal as well!)

Trying hitsumabushi three ways

I wanted to properly enjoy eel rice bowls, so I ordered two hitsumabushi!

Instead of regular bottled water, they gave us tea, haha. They also provide tare sauce so you can add more to your taste, plus shichimi spice seasoning—sprinkle some on if you want a little heat.

The hitsumabushi came out looking very neat and generous.

Hitsumabushi is always exciting even before you lift the lid... I like it best with broth poured over it, so I was already looking forward to the brewed broth in the little pot.. hehe.

Can you see all that eel piled on top.. They say it contains two-thirds of an eel! I thought this was just the right amount, haha.

The seasoning was just right even without adding extra tare sauce. I ate it without adding any.

First: eat it plain

There are three ways to eat it! The first is simply eating it as is!

Scoop out some eel and rice and enjoy the rice bowl in its pure form. Delicious, as expected.. The eel was so tender.. good!

Second: with scallions, seaweed, and wasabi

For the second way, top it with the scallions, seaweed, and wasabi provided. I love wasabi so much that I pile it on and on, haha.

Last: with brewed broth poured over it

And the last method is pouring broth over it. This is realllllly!!! delicious, you know? Hahaha. I tend to save plenty so I can eat it this way, haha.

I also polished off the Japanese-style rolled omelet with eel that came with it! The omelet was incredibly soft, and the eel was tender yet clean-tasting... so delicious! Choosing hitsumabushi was a success ╰(*°▽°*)╯

Everyone was really kind, and it was a place that made me feel well looked after! The price is good for hitsumabushi, too. It is usually ₩40,000–₩50,000, but here it is in the ₩30,000 range!

It would be nice to come here on a date at Seoul Botanic Park or One Grove, and it also seemed great with children because they have high chairs and a kids-only menu! For a nourishing, delicious eel rice bowl, I recommend trying Unagi Yondaime Kikukawa One Grove Branch ヾ(•ω•`)o