Myeonmok eel restaurant giving free eel to pregnant women: Cheonsangae

What kind of eel restaurant is Cheonsangae in Myeonmok-dong?

Cheonsangae Jangeoga Myeonmok Sagajeong Branch is a Sagajeong rice spot where you can eat grilled eel at a great price for what you get. Snow mushrooms, wild ginseng root and salted oysters (eoriguljeot) come as standard, and it's a kind-hearted restaurant that gives a whole eel free to pregnant women, national merit patriots, police and firefighters. I went for lunch in Myeonmok-dong this time.

Cheonsangae hours and parking

• Location: 370 Myeonmok-ro, 1st floor, Jungnang-gu, Seoul (379 m from Exit 1, Sagajeong Station, Line 7)
• Hours: 11:30–21:30
• Break time: 15:00–17:00, no break on Saturdays and Sundays
• Parking: use a nearby lot; the 24-hour unmanned paid Nice Park lot is recommended
• Ordered: charcoal-grilled wild ginseng freshwater eel for 2

Where is it, what's inside, and does it work for group gatherings?

Cheonsangae sits on the main road between Myeonmok-dong and Sagajeong Station, so it's very easy to get to.

The inside is quite spacious, and since you can reserve the whole place, it's a great spot for big family gatherings.

Seating is mostly tables for four, and with friendly staff and a cool, airy interior, we ate in comfort.

Cheonsangae menu and how to order

You order on a tablet at the table. It's a Sagajeong rice spot with grilled eel at a good price for the portions, and takeout is available at a low cost too.

It's a kind-hearted restaurant that gives one whole eel free to pregnant women, national merit patriots and their families, police and firefighters! 🤭

Drinks include cider, cola and zero cola, and there's a wide range of alcohol to go with the meal.

Cheonsangae table setting and self-bar

The basic setting came with one dipping sauce per person and a colorful spread of side dishes, including snow mushrooms, wild ginseng root and salted oysters.

The side dishes were neatly arranged, so we could eat the grilled eel in lots of different combinations.

For some of the sides, if you want more, you can refill as much as you like at the self-bar! 😳

The eel is grilled over 1,000-degree oak white charcoal (baektan), which gave it a deep flavor. Using quality charcoal to lift the grilling is one of this place's secrets.

How does the charcoal-grilled wild ginseng eel set for 2 arrive?

The charcoal-grilled wild ginseng eel set for 2 we ordered was grilled for us by the staff. Unusually, they grilled it together with wood ear mushrooms (mokibeoseot), which are the snow mushrooms.

On top of that, the eel is domestic Japonica freshwater eel, delivered straight from Jeolla Province and prepared in-house every day, which is how they say they keep it fresh.

This honest way of bringing out the eel's natural flavor is why it became a neighborhood favorite; they say about 700,000 people have visited over 18 years! 🫪

The set's lineup was good too. First, a spicy, kicking stew came as standard in a earthenware pot (ttukbaegi).

Each person also got a serving of vinegared rice and wasabi, so we could make grilled eel sushi too! 😗

There were also salted oysters, said to be export-grade oysters aged in domestic low-salt salt for deep savory flavor, to eat alongside the grilled eel.

How do charcoal-grilled wood ear mushrooms and eel taste?

It was my first time eating wood ear mushrooms grilled over charcoal, and their crunchy texture came out even better.

The eel was crispy outside and tender inside, and it had no gamey or muddy smell at all, so it was easy to eat.

And the sauce that came one per person was the kicker.

Cheonsangae dessert: charcoal-baked potato and nurungji

Dessert at Cheonsangae was generous too. First, the staff took a potato that had been cooking in the charcoal and brought it out for us! 😚

Nurungji (scorched rice) came as well, so we finished the meal feeling full. With about 700,000 visitors over 18 years, reasonable prices and a good lineup, I think I'll be dropping by often.