Gwangalli pot rice restaurant: freshwater eel with extra eel, Solsot

Where is Solsot Gwangalli?

Solsot Gwangalli (솔솥 광안리점) is on Gwangnam-ro in Suyeong, Busan, just a 3–5 minute walk from Gwangalli Beach, so it is very easy to get to. It is no trouble to drop in for a meal while looking at the Gwangalli sea, and it works well as part of a trip or a date. Finding it was easy, and with plenty of cafés and restaurants nearby, it is also a nice area for a stroll after eating.

The exterior stood out for its neat wood-toned look. Rather than a flashy sign, a tidy atmosphere hits you first, and the entrance already feels like the comfortable mood of a Korean restaurant. It feels warm overall, so I thought it would suit a family meal or a date too.

Pets, takeout, reservations and parking at Solsot Gwangalli

Solsot Gwangalli allows pets and offers takeout and reservations, and you can use a partner parking lot if you order above a certain amount, so the convenience is decent. I heard there can be a wait at lunch and peak dinner times, so I thought visiting a little early would be a good idea.

Solsot Gwangalli atmosphere: good for dining solo?

The inside of Solsot Gwangalli is decorated in wood tones throughout, which gives it a warm, cozy feel. The tables are spaced comfortably, so the neighboring seats didn't bother me much, and the layout felt fine for coming alone. Food arrives neatly on one tray per person, which also makes it a relaxed place to eat solo.

The restaurant was kept clean overall, and the tableware and tables were tidy, so I could start the meal in a good mood. The staff helped kindly with ordering and guidance, and the way the food came out felt smooth.

Because pot rice is cooked after you order, it takes a little time, but it is part of serving freshly cooked rice, so it was well worth the wait. Whether for a date, a family meal, a meal on a trip or even eating alone, the relaxed mood made me think it suits many kinds of visits.

How does the freshwater eel pot rice taste?

The freshwater eel rice bowl I ordered at Solsot Gwangalli came with a generous amount of eel on top of the pot rice, and it was satisfying just to look at. The eel was clean-tasting with no fishy smell, and the outside was grilled just right, so its nutty flavor came through.

The seasoning wasn't overpowering, so I could taste the natural flavor of the freshwater eel, and eating it with freshly cooked pot rice made the texture even better. The grains were distinct, and the more I chewed, the nuttier they tasted. The pairing with the eel was satisfying too.

After the meal, you can pour warm water into the pot and enjoy nurungji (scorched rice soup). It felt like a clean finish, and I was satisfied right to the end. Solsot Gwangalli's freshwater eel pot rice is Korean-style food that brings out the natural flavor of the ingredients rather than strong flavors, so it was an easy dish to enjoy.

Is adding extra eel worth it?

If you like eel, adding extra eel at Solsot Gwangalli was a very satisfying choice. Adding eel made the meal much more filling, and what I liked most was being able to enjoy eel generously.

The added eel kept the same moist, tender texture as in the standard dish, and the seasoning had soaked in evenly, so it went well with the rice. The nutty flavor of the eel raised my overall satisfaction a notch.

I would recommend ordering extra if you usually like eel or want a hearty meal. The base topping at Solsot Gwangalli is already fairly generous, but with extra eel it became a much richer meal.

Solsot Gwangalli: the verdict

Solsot Gwangalli was a pot rice restaurant where you can enjoy tidy Korean food near Gwangalli Beach. Since it is cooked after ordering, the texture of the freshly cooked pot rice came through, and the quality and amount of the eel were satisfying. You can even enjoy nurungji after the meal, so the ending was clean, and the whole set felt well put together.

The atmosphere is comfortable and neat, suiting everything from a solo meal to a date, a meal with parents or a family outing. It is close to Gwangalli Beach, so it is good for a walk afterward, and it is a very satisfying place for a hearty meal while traveling.

Being able to choose from various pot rice dishes to suit your taste was another strength of Solsot Gwangalli. If you are looking for tidy Korean food in Gwangalli, I think it is worth a visit at least once.