Gangnam Japanese eel bowl spot for women dining solo: half eel, Manmok

Is Manmok in Gangnam okay to visit alone?

I went to Manmok (만목) while looking for a good place to eat solo near Seolleung Station. It's become quite famous as an eel bowl spot, so I was curious, and once I got there I understood right away why it's popular. The mood is really calm and upscale, and going alone didn't feel awkward at all, haha. It's surprisingly hard these days to find a nice restaurant where you can comfortably eat by yourself, so I was extra happy with it.

Manmok's atmosphere and seating

The whole place has a wood-toned interior with soft lighting, and it gave off a bit of a Japanese dining vibe. The seats are spaced widely, so it never felt cramped, and I saw quite a few other people eating alone, which helped me relax too. It's the perfect mood for a quiet, delicious meal! That's why I'd recommend it to anyone hunting for a solo eel bowl place in Gangnam, haha.

What drinks does Manmok have?

The menu has soju and beer, but also wine, sake and highballs, a wide range of drinks. When I got seated and opened the menu, I was impressed by how varied the drinks were. Eel bowls go surprisingly well with alcohol, so it felt like the list was put together for pairing with the food. I even thought I'd like to try it with a highball next time~~

Manmok's half eel bowl: is the portion right for one person?

The half-eel bowl at Manmok is ₩26,000, and it was just the right amount for a woman eating alone. That day I ordered the half-eel bowl made in the Kanto style. I wondered a little whether the portion would work for one person, but it wasn't overly filling and it didn't feel lacking either, so it was perfect.

The texture of Kanto-style eel

Manmok's Kanto-style eel was fluffy and moist. The glossy eel sat neatly on top of the rice, and it made my mouth water just looking at it. Kanto-style eel is steamed and then grilled, which is said to make the texture really soft. And when I actually ate it, the flesh really was fluffy and moist.

Smoky char and tare sauce: too rich?

The eel bowl has a subtle smoky char on the outside, and the tare sauce (sweet-savory eel glaze) is sweetish rather than salty, so the natural flavor of the eel really comes through. The flavor was great and the tare went so well with the rice. The sauce had soaked into the rice just enough, so putting a piece of eel on top made a perfect combination.

I also liked that the eel wasn't greasy. When eating eel you can usually get a little tired of it halfway through, but Manmok is well balanced overall, so I enjoyed it to the very end. Now I see why it's so often mentioned as a top solo eel bowl spot in Gangnam. It's a great place to come alone and quietly have a proper meal!

What comes with the eel bowl at Manmok

Chawanmushi with shrimp

The chawanmushi (Japanese-style steamed egg custard) served with the eel bowl had shrimp in it. The side dishes were quite generous. With shrimp inside the soft, silky egg, the texture was nice and the savory flavor came through even more! It was warm and gentle, and it got my appetite going before the eel.

Soup with matsutake mushroom

The soup served alongside the eel bowl had matsutake mushroom in it, no less, wow. I'd expected just a basic clear soup, but the broth was really impressive. The subtle matsutake aroma rising from it was lovely, and the clean yet deep flavor really made me feel like I was in a high-end restaurant, haha. It felt like even the small details were taken care of, and I was happy with it.

Extra side dishes: white kimchi and radish salad

At Manmok they asked whether I wanted extra side dishes, white kimchi (non-spicy kimchi) and seasoned radish salad, and I said yes, haha. The eel is soft and rich, so eating some white kimchi in between cleans up your mouth, and the radish salad has its own charm thanks to its crunchy texture. The radish salad in particular goes surprisingly well with the eel. It cuts the richness and you keep wanting more!

What flavor is Manmok's dessert ice cream?

After the meal at Manmok you get a dessert ice cream, and you can choose between black tea and matcha. I picked black tea, and the subtle tea aroma was really nice. It wasn't too sweet and finished clean, so it was perfect as an after-meal dessert~ It was also great for freshening your mouth after the eel.

Manmok solo dining: overall verdict

I was happy with everything at Manmok this time: the food, of course, but also the atmosphere, the set, and the service. Going alone felt completely stress-free, and the mood made it even more comfortable to eat. The eel bowl quality was beyond my expectations too, so I'd definitely go back. If you're looking for a proper eel bowl restaurant in Gangnam, or a quiet place to eat alone, it's worth a visit!!