Summer energy-boost eel buffet near Dongnae Station, Busan: Songnim

Fresh eel for a summer stamina boost when the heat wears you out

I feel like I've had no energy lately...! The weather... honestly... it's a brutal heatwave where even a little movement drains you, haha. And the humidity on top of it... 😇 With no energy and no appetite, I went looking for a good summer stamina food...!

• Self-bar
• All-you-can-eat
• Wi-Fi
• Group gatherings
• Separate men's and women's restrooms

Here's a stamina food that's perfect for a summer boost, haha. This Busan local favorite is Songnim Bok Jangeo (송림복장어), an all-you-can-eat freshwater eel place. Songnim Bok Jangeo only serves 100% domestic Japonica freshwater eel!

Getting to Songnim Bok Jangeo Dongnae and parking

The Dongnae branch is about a 5–10 minute walk from Dongnae Station or Myeongnyun Station. It sits right on the main road.

There's no full parking lot...! T_T Public transport access is good, so I'd recommend coming by bus or subway.

It's known as a Busan local favorite, and there were quite a lot of customers already when I arrived...! Guests kept coming in while we ate, too.

How much is the all-you-can-eat eel at Songnim Bok Jangeo?

The buffet is ₩29,900 per adult, and everything from fresh freshwater eel to duck neck meat and pork belly is unlimited. The reason it's always busy is simple: you can eat as much freshwater eel as you want!

What we ordered / prices

• Adult ₩29,900
• Self-bar table setting fee ₩3,000 per person
• Ages 48 months–7 years ₩7,000
• Babies 48 months and under free (preschoolers and under 47 months have no table setting fee!)

The first plate, the self-bar and the basic side dishes

The first plate is brought to you with a bit of each kind, like this. If you want more after finishing, just go to the self-bar corner and load up yourself~

The basic table setting comes with a nice variety, like below.

• Scallion kimchi
• Aged kimchi
• Pickled perilla leaves
• Pickled ginger
• Lettuce for wraps
• Eel sauce
• Ssamjang (seasoned dipping paste)
• And more

Eel with bokbunja wine, and why I finished the whole bottle

They say bokbunja (Korean black raspberry wine) eaten with eel helps you recover your energy, and is supposedly good for men too, haha. I took one sip and it was so good that I emptied the whole bottle, haha. It's fresher and sweeter than soju!

I love eel and have been to quite a few eel restaurants, and Songnim Bok Jangeo is better than I expected!!

No wonder it's famous by word of mouth as a Busan local favorite.

Why the eel isn't fishy even at an all-you-can-eat place

The freshwater eel at Songnim Bok Jangeo is completely fresh and super thick. And there's no fishy taste at all!

It turns out that even though it's an all-you-can-eat place, they don't use any frozen eel. Every morning they bring in live freshwater eel directly from fish farms and direct-sale markets, prep it, and serve it. Since it isn't thawed frozen eel, there's no fishiness at all, just freshness!

The more you eat, the chewier, cleaner and nuttier it gets, which is a bonus! Besides the eel, a great summer stamina food, I also liked being able to enjoy pork belly and chewy duck neck meat.

The side dishes come out neatly, too! Eating the eel with scallion kimchi, aged kimchi and pickled perilla leaves kept it from feeling greasy at all, so I could enjoy it to the end.

Eel soup, recommended by people who've been

So Songnim Bok Jangeo is the place for good eel in Anrak-dong, Dongnae-gu...! And from what visitors say in their reviews, the menu item people are happiest with is the eel soup.

I was too full to try it, but most reviews praise the taste. They say the eel soup is made with care: bones, flesh and all the ingredients are simmered for a long time, then finely ground in, giving a deep, rich flavor.

A taste you never get tired of no matter how much you eat!! Everything was seriously delicious...❣️

Why I recommend Songnim Bok Jangeo Dongnae as a summer stamina meal

For a summer stamina food, freshwater eel is a must, no question!

They say they never use frozen or lower-quality ingredients just because it's all-you-can-eat, which made me trust the place.

If you're looking for a hearty meal this summer, I recommend this all-you-can-eat spot in Anrak-dong, Dongnae-gu, where you can try fresh eel, duck neck meat and pork belly all at once.

It's a 200% satisfying meal, haha. It suits lunch, dinner, or even as a drinking snack~

A spacious restaurant for family gatherings and group dinners

The Dongnae branch is quite spacious inside, so it works for family gatherings and larger groups, and it's also good for couples' date meals and company dinners!