Siheung Baegot eel buffet with thick eel and free parking: Songnim Bok

Another review of a place I actually went and ate at myself! The weather's hot these days and the tiredness just keeps piling up, so I was desperate for something restorative. I decided to properly recharge my energy, and that meant going out for eel.

This time I visited Songnim Bok Jangeo Unlimited Freshwater Eel Siheung Baegot Direct Branch (송림복장어). I always liked eel, but the price meant I couldn't eat it often, so hearing that Songnim Bok lets you eat freshwater eel all-you-can-eat got me really excited. It's also been getting a reputation lately as a go-to eel spot in Baegot, so I was extra curious. In this review I'll go through the food and the atmosphere in detail.

Where is Songnim Bok's Baegot branch, and how's the parking?

• Location: 1F Unit 133, 43-7 Seouldaehak-ro 278beon-gil, Siheung-si, Gyeonggi
• Hours: daily 11:00–23:00
• Parking available
• Groups welcome / takeout available

The Baegot branch is at 1F Unit 133, 43-7 Seouldaehak-ro 278beon-gil, Siheung-si, Gyeonggi, right in the middle of the Baegot New Town commercial district, so it wasn't hard to find. There are lots of cafés and restaurants nearby, so it's also nice for a stroll after eating. It's easy to reach, which makes it a convenient spot for a family meal or a get-together.

You can park in the building's underground garage, with 2 hours of free parking. Parking space matters a lot in Baegot, so free parking took the stress out of driving there. It's reassuring for family outings or group gatherings too.

Atmosphere: a spacious interior with generous table spacing

The first thing I noticed when I walked in was how big the interior is. The tables are well spaced and there's proper group seating, so it looked great for company dinners or family gatherings.

The wide spacing meant using the self-serve bar was no hassle, and I was even happier that everything was kept so clean.

What's on the Songnim Bok unlimited menu, and what does it cost?

The unlimited deal covers not just freshwater eel but also pork belly and duck neck. Considering what eel costs these days, it felt like genuinely great value.

Ordering eel alone is already pricey, so being able to enjoy several kinds of meat as much as you want was a big plus.

• Unlimited refills: ₩59,800 for 2 people
• Table setting fee: ₩6,000 for 2 people

What's at the self-serve bar?

The self-serve bar was generously stocked with freshwater eel, pork belly and duck neck.

I'd assumed the quality would be lower because it's all-you-can-eat, but not at all! The eel pieces were big and looked in good shape, and it felt like everything was kept fresh. For eel lovers, just seeing the self-serve bar is enough to put you in a good mood.

How was the unlimited freshwater eel?

For me, the biggest strength of Songnim Bok was the eel quality. When I first got the eel, I was surprised at how thick it was. Even though it's unlimited, the meat was plump and nicely sized, which I was really happy with.

Grilling it over charcoal, skin side first until golden, the savory aroma started rising and my anticipation was already building.

Taking a bite of the well-cooked eel, the outside was crisp and the inside moist. Best of all, there was almost no fishy taste, so I think even people who find eel's distinctive smell overwhelming could enjoy it.

Eating it with shredded ginger cut the richness and brought out the eel's nutty flavor even more.

I normally can't eat much eel, but this day there was barely any fishy taste, so I went back for refills several times and really enjoyed it. I immediately understood why so many people recommend it as a top eel spot in Baegot.

Pork belly and duck neck are a treat too

If you keep eating only eel it can get a little rich, but at Songnim Bok I mixed in pork belly and chicken neck now and then, and the combination was really good.

The pork belly had a good thickness and chew, and the duck neck was appealingly chewy yet clean-tasting.

Alternating a piece of eel, a piece of pork belly and a piece of chicken neck, I never got tired of it and could enjoy a really hearty meal.

Is Songnim Bok's Baegot branch worth going back to?

Songnim Bok's Baegot branch was an easy place to go when you need a stamina boost. You get freshwater eel, pork belly and chicken neck all-you-can-eat, plus a spacious restaurant and convenient parking, so I'd recommend it for family meals, company dinners and get-togethers. The value was especially satisfying, so I definitely feel like going back.

If you're looking for a restorative meal in Baegot, or for a good eel place there, I'd recommend Songnim Bok's Baegot branch. I think satisfaction would be high for both family outings and group dinners. :)