# Charcoal eel restaurant in Gwangyang, salt → myeongi → sauce: Deokeun

- By Ulsan Banchan Counter (https://superchart.com/en/@banchan-window-2/)
- Written Apr 18, 2026
- Local places › Restaurants › Gwangyang, Jeonnam
- Sponsored: This is a visit review written after the restaurant provided the meal.
- English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@banchan-window-2/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order/
- Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@banchan-window-2/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order/index.md) · [日本語](https://superchart.com/ja/@banchan-window-2/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order/index.md)

## In short

Deokeun Jangeo Gwangyang Branch (더큰장어 광양점) is a charcoal-grilled pungcheon eel restaurant on Hangman 9-ro in Gwangyang, Jeonnam, where diners see and choose prepared eel on the 1st floor, then grill it on the 2nd floor with a view of Yi Sun-sin Bridge. On a low-energy spring day, the writer took their parents to Deokeun Jangeo and ate the grilled eel first with salt, then with myeongi (pickled wild garlic leaves), then with sauce, finishing with eel soup seasoned with sancho (Korean prickly ash) powder. Verdict: the parents were happy too, making Deokeun Jangeo Gwangyang Branch a restorative family meal worth coming back for.

## Good to know

- **Address**: 101 Hangman 9-ro, Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do (Jeonnam), South Korea
- **Hours**: Daily 11:00–21:30
- **Break time**: Weekdays 14:00–16:00
- **Parking**: Large private parking lot
- **Groups**: Groups welcome; spacious dining area on the 2nd floor
- **How ordering works**: See and choose prepared eel in person on the 1st floor, then eat on the 2nd floor
- **Eel**: Said to be 100% Japonica pungcheon eel farmed by the restaurant in Yeongam
- **Self-serve bar**: Lettuce and wrap greens, myeongi (pickled wild garlic leaves), pickled onions, basic side dishes
- **Takeout**: Eel soup meal kits for sale

*as written by the visitor on Apr 18, 2026 · not checked with the business*

![Signature grilled eel at Deokeun Jangeo Gwangyang Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order-01-n15ti-1200.webp)

The weather has finally gotten warm, but for some reason my body feels heavier and my energy is dropping. So, with that as my excuse, haha, I figured I should treat myself to a proper meal, and this time I took my parents to Deokeun Jangeo Gwangyang Branch (더큰장어 광양점), which is famous in Gwangyang for its eel.

![Visiting Deokeun Jangeo Gwangyang Branch in Gwangyang with parents](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order-02-1gqzk-900.webp)

## Is Deokeun Jangeo Gwangyang Branch a good place to take your parents?

Short answer: my parents were really satisfied, and it's an eel place I'd happily come back to. It's at 101 Hangman 9-ro, Gwangyang-si, Jeonnam, open daily 11:00–21:30, with a break time of 14:00–16:00 on weekdays.

- 101 Hangman 9-ro, Gwangyang-si, Jeonnam
- Daily 11:00–21:30 (weekday break time 14:00–16:00)
- Large private parking lot
- Groups welcome
- Recommended for family meals and company dinners

> 100% Japonica eel, eaten while looking at Yi Sun-sin Bridge

## Parking and exterior at Deokeun Jangeo Gwangyang Branch

The private parking lot is big, so we parked right away as soon as we arrived, no stress. When you're bringing your parents, that matters more than you'd think.

![Large private parking lot at Deokeun Jangeo Gwangyang Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order-03-3wjp3-900.webp)

There was a tour bus the day we visited, and when we went in, a group reservation had arrived. It's a place that's well known for gatherings too.

![Large building exterior of Deokeun Jangeo Gwangyang Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order-04-p437f-900.webp)

The building is quite large from the outside, and it has that unmistakable "this is a real eel specialist" presence! Let's head in.

## How you choose your eel on the 1st floor

The 1st floor works like a fish market stall, where you can see the prepared eels and choose for yourself. This setup was special the moment we walked in.

![1st-floor area for choosing eel at Deokeun Jangeo Gwangyang Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order-05-1nyp1-900.webp)

![Prepared eels laid out in the 1st-floor display](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order-06-1xpk2-900.webp)

The eels are neatly prepared and ready to eat, so you can check their condition with your own eyes. If you tell the staff how many people you have, they recommend a suitable amount, so there's no worrying about over-ordering and ordering was easy.

![1st-floor interior of Deokeun Jangeo Gwangyang Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order-07-1hsjp-900.webp)

![Eel soup meal kit sold at Deokeun Jangeo Gwangyang Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order-08-nmccm-900.webp)

They also sell the eel soup as a meal kit, which is great for eating at home or giving as a gift.

## 2nd-floor dining room with a Yi Sun-sin Bridge view

![Spacious 2nd-floor dining area at Deokeun Jangeo Gwangyang Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order-09-1bqo2-900.webp)

You pick your eel on the 1st floor, then go up to the 2nd floor to eat. The moment you climb the stairs, a much bigger space than I expected opens up and it feels really airy.

- Generous spacing between tables
- Comfortable layout overall
- Large enough for group gatherings

![View of Yi Sun-sin Bridge from a 2nd-floor window seat](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order-10-zouof-900.webp)

And the best thing about Deokeun Jangeo Gwangyang Branch was the view of Yi Sun-sin Bridge from the window seats! The open scenery while you eat makes it feel like a relaxed, unhurried meal.

## Self-serve bar and side dishes

![Self-bar with wrap vegetables and myeongi namul](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order-11-1976p-900.webp)

The self-bar had fresh wrap vegetables, myeongi namul (pickled wild-garlic-type greens), pickled onions and basic side dishes, all neatly arranged.

- Fresh wrap vegetables
- Myeongi namul
- Pickled onions
- Basic side dishes

You take as much as you need, so it was easy to enjoy, and everything was tidy and fresh, which goes well with the eel.

## How big and how good is the eel at Deokeun Jangeo?

![Thick prepared Japonica pungcheon eel](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order-12-13vbp-900.webp)

![Prepared eel served with the table setting](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order-13-isvqp-900.webp)

The eel is clearly different from the start. It's said to be 100% Japonica pungcheon eel farmed directly in Yeongam, and the size and thickness are overwhelming.

Even before it went on the grill, it looked seriously plump.

![Plump eel before going on the grill](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order-14-54of0-900.webp)

It's clearly thicker than ordinary eel, so you can tell the texture would be different.

![Eel placed on the charcoal fire](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order-15-1yeyl-900.webp)

The moment it hits the charcoal, that sizzling sound alone makes your mouth water.

![Eel's surface cooking over charcoal](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order-16-m3lht-900.webp)

The outside crisps up quickly while the inside stays moist and juicy,

![Eel grilled crispy outside and moist inside](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order-17-1nc7c-900.webp)

so in one bite it's slightly crispy outside, soft and chewy inside, and clean with no fishy taste, the kind you keep reaching for.

![A bite-sized piece of grilled eel](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order-18-1s6ha-900.webp)

## Best order to eat grilled eel: salt → myeongi → sauce

### ✔ Dipped in salt

A basic combo that brings out the eel's own clean, mild flavor.

![Grilled eel dipped in salt](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order-19-caqu0-900.webp)

### ✔ With the sauce

A sweet, savory, umami-packed sauce that's really good.

![Grilled eel with sweet savory sauce](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order-20-n72ij-900.webp)

### ✔ Myeongi (pickled wild garlic) + shredded ginger

This one is a can't-go-wrong combo. It cuts the richness and you just keep eating!

![Grilled eel topped with myeongi namul and shredded ginger](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order-21-1ggcz-900.webp)

Personally, I recommend salt → myeongi → sauce. Eating it in different ways, you never get tired of it until the end :)

![Grilled eel spread enjoyed in different combinations](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order-22-s3svi-900.webp)

## Finishing with eel soup and sancho pepper powder

At the end we had the eel soup too, with a rich, thick broth and deep umami that made me feel like I'd properly eaten a whole eel.

![Rich eel soup at Deokeun Jangeo Gwangyang Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order-23-17se4-900.webp)

I added plenty of sancho (Korean pepper) powder, and from the first spoonful it felt like a proper stamina-food day, a perfect finish ♡

![A spoonful of eel soup with sancho pepper powder](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order-24-nbryb-900.webp)

## Who Deokeun Jangeo Gwangyang Branch is best for

- Anyone looking for a good eel restaurant in Gwangyang
- Days when you want to really restore your strength
- People who want both atmosphere and flavor

> If you want to treat yourself properly when your energy is low, I recommend Deokeun Jangeo Gwangyang Branch in Gwangyang.

## Where it is

- Deokeun Jangeo Gwangyang Branch (더큰장어 광양점)
- 101 Hangman 9-ro, Gwangyang-si, Jeonnam, South Korea
- 전라남도 광양시 항만9로 101 더큰장어 광양점
- 34.9245937, 127.6964931
- Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EB%8D%94%ED%81%B0%EC%9E%A5%EC%96%B4%20%EA%B4%91%EC%96%91%EC%A0%90/@34.9245937,127.6964931,17z

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Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@banchan-window-2/gwangyang-eel-parents-eating-order/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt