# Myeonmok eel restaurant giving free eel to pregnant women: Cheonsangae

- By Tray Mapper (https://superchart.com/en/@busan-tray-map/)
- Written Oct 15, 2026
- Local places › Restaurants › Jungnang, Seoul
- Sponsored: This is a visit review written after the restaurant provided the meal.
- English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@busan-tray-map/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae/
- Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@busan-tray-map/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae/index.md) · [日本語](https://superchart.com/ja/@busan-tray-map/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae/index.md)

## In short

Cheonsangae Jangeoga Myeonmok Sagajeong Branch (천상애장어가) is a charcoal-grilled freshwater eel restaurant on the main road between Myeonmok-dong and Sagajeong Station in Jungnang-gu, Seoul. At lunch, the writer ordered the charcoal-grilled seolhwa wild ginseng freshwater eel for 2, which staff grilled alongside wood ear mushrooms, and ate it with stew, vinegared sushi rice, salted oysters (eoriguljeot), a charcoal-roasted potato and nurungji (scorched rice). Cheonsangae Jangeoga is a kind-hearted restaurant that gives a whole eel to pregnant women, national merit recipients, police officers and firefighters, and a good-value Myeonmok eel spot worth returning to often.

## Good to know

- **Location**: 1F, 370 Myeonmok-ro, 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 time on Saturdays and Sundays
- **Parking**: Use a nearby parking lot (the 24-hour unattended paid Nice Park lot is recommended)
- **What we ordered**: Charcoal-grilled seolhwa wild ginseng freshwater eel for 2
- **How to order**: Tablet at the table
- **Seating**: Mostly tables for 4; private bookings available
- **Takeout**: Available
- **Giveaway**: One free eel for pregnant women, national merit recipients and their families, police officers and firefighters

*as written by the visitor on Oct 15, 2026*

![Main photo of grilled eel at Cheonsangae in Myeonmok-dong](https://img.superchart.com/images/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae-01-1u1pg-1200.webp)

## 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.

![Exterior of Cheonsangae Jangeoga Myeonmok Sagajeong Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae-02-fyg36-900.webp)

### 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 on the main road between Myeonmok-dong and Sagajeong Station](https://img.superchart.com/images/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae-03-1kdak-900.webp)

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

![Spacious interior of Cheonsangae](https://img.superchart.com/images/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae-04-u0wrz-900.webp)

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

![Cheonsangae seating, mostly tables for four](https://img.superchart.com/images/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae-05-2f97a-900.webp)

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

![Cheonsangae menu](https://img.superchart.com/images/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae-06-1r6za-900.webp)

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

![Basic setting with sauce, snow mushrooms and wild ginseng root](https://img.superchart.com/images/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae-07-1tlw5-900.webp)

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.

![Neatly arranged basic side dishes at Cheonsangae](https://img.superchart.com/images/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae-08-gtb7i-900.webp)

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

![Cheonsangae self-bar for side dish refills](https://img.superchart.com/images/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae-09-fqrp4-900.webp)

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

![Oak white charcoal fire for grilling eel](https://img.superchart.com/images/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae-10-yzd8w-900.webp)

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?

![Table spread for the charcoal-grilled wild ginseng eel set for 2](https://img.superchart.com/images/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae-11-1vv8t-900.webp)

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.

![Freshwater eel grilling over charcoal with wood ear mushrooms](https://img.superchart.com/images/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae-12-18usl-900.webp)

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.

![Domestic freshwater eel cooking over charcoal](https://img.superchart.com/images/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae-13-11gx1-900.webp)

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! 🫪

![Pot of spicy stew that comes as standard](https://img.superchart.com/images/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae-14-1n31p-900.webp)

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

![Vinegared rice and wasabi for eel sushi](https://img.superchart.com/images/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae-15-11k5r-900.webp)

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

![Salted oysters to eat with the grilled eel](https://img.superchart.com/images/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae-16-1smd3-900.webp)

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?

![Wood ear mushrooms grilled over charcoal](https://img.superchart.com/images/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae-17-1pei5-900.webp)

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

![Grilled eel, crispy outside and tender inside](https://img.superchart.com/images/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae-18-13unr-900.webp)

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

![Eel dipping sauce served one per person](https://img.superchart.com/images/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae-19-f8xyr-900.webp)

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

## Cheonsangae dessert: charcoal-baked potato and nurungji

![Dessert potato cooked in the charcoal](https://img.superchart.com/images/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae-20-12v0d-900.webp)

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 served to finish the meal](https://img.superchart.com/images/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae-21-rjcnt-900.webp)

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.

![End of the grilled eel meal at Cheonsangae](https://img.superchart.com/images/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae-22-19vbi-900.webp)

## Where it is

- Cheonsangae Jangeoga Myeonmok Sagajeong Branch (천상애장어가 면목사가정점)
- 370 Myeonmok-ro, 1st floor, Jungnang-gu, Seoul, South Korea
- 서울특별시 중랑구 면목로 370 1층
- 37.5849545, 127.0885611
- Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EC%B2%9C%EC%83%81%EC%95%A0%EC%9E%A5%EC%96%B4%EA%B0%80%20%EB%A9%B4%EB%AA%A9%EC%82%AC%EA%B0%80%EC%A0%95%EC%A0%90/@37.5849545,127.0885611,17z

---

Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@busan-tray-map/myeonmok-eel-grill-lunch-cheonsangae/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt