Eel buffet in Ansan with Mom before Jungbok: Songnim Bok Jangeo

Today I went to a Wongok-dong favorite for eel, which I love. It's Songnim Bok Jangeo, an all-you-can-eat eel place I've visited a few times! Jungbok (one of the hottest days of summer, when Koreans eat stamina food) falls this week, so I went for an early boost and a cozy date with my mom.

Where is Songnim Bok Jangeo Wongok Branch, and what are the hours and parking?

Songnim Bok Jangeo Freshwater Eel Unlimited Refill Wongok Branch is at 47 Wonseon-ro, Danwon-gu, Ansan, Gyeonggi, on the 1st floor, and it's open daily from 11:30 to 22:00. Parking is available too.

It's near Ansan Station and Seonbu-dong, about 10 minutes from Seonbu by car.

Exterior

Songnim Bok Jangeo, famous for its all-you-can-eat eel, has newly opened in Wongok-dong too~ It's on the first floor of a building on the big main road, across from Wongok Byeoksan Blooming Apartments.

Parking

If you drive, there's room for about 4 cars behind the restaurant.

Is the interior good for group dinners or family gatherings?

The inside is spacious, so it works well for group dinners. There were a lot of group customers that day so I only photographed a part, but the place is much bigger and the tables are nicely spaced, which is great for family gatherings or company dinners.

How much is the all-you-can-eat at Songnim Bok Jangeo Wongok Branch?

The adult unlimited refill is ₩29,900 and includes freshwater eel, pork belly and chicken neck. The menu calls it "top-grade freshwater eel."

• Unlimited refill, adult: ₩29,900 (freshwater eel + pork belly + chicken neck)
• Unlimited refill, child (elementary school): ₩14,000
• Table setting fee (children excluded): ₩3,000

The menu is basically all-you-can-eat, and there are also eel soup, galbitang and yukgaejang as meals, so it's great for lunch too! I came with my mom and ordered 2 adult unlimited refills plus the table setting fee.

What comes as the basic spread and at the self-serve bar?

At first you get a little eel and meat. Here it's not just eel: chicken neck and pork belly are all unlimited too. It's fine to come with someone who can't eat eel, and since you can enjoy several kinds at once, I'd recommend it for group dinners.

The side dishes come neatly arranged and went so well with the eel. The pickled onions were especially crunchy!

Bokbunja wine with eel is the golden rule. As an opening event, they give one free bottle of bokbunja wine per table.

Beyond the side dishes they set out, you can get extra at the self-serve bar. It has things that don't come with the sides, like lettuce wraps, garlic and Cheongyang chili peppers, so definitely use it.

The domestic freshwater eel, said to be prepared fresh every dawn the same day, and the meat can also be fetched from the self-serve bar.

White rice and bean sprout soup are unlimited too.

How did the freshwater eel taste?

Today's star, the eel! At Songnim Bok Jangeo Wongok Branch, a staff member comes over and grills the first batch for you~ Eel is good for recovering energy, so it's a classic summer stamina food, right? They sizzle it skin side first.

The heat is quite strong, so if you cook it slowly over the charcoal, it gets crispy outside and tender inside.

Look at how plump it is, haha! The eel is thick and meaty, which makes it even better. It's springy, and maybe because it's Korean eel, there was no fishy smell at all.

I ate it the classic way, with teriyaki sauce and ginger. It cuts the richness while bringing out the eel's flavor much more, and that nutty taste is why you eat eel.

Eel that's nicely golden-brown, I set aside at the edge so it doesn't burn~

I wrapped it up with the leafy greens too. It's all eel prepared the same day, so of course the freshness and taste are good. The moment you bite into the oily eel, you can feel your body being nourished.

I brought more eel from the self-serve bar. Look how glossy and appetizing it is! Even though it's all-you-can-eat, the quality is quite good, so it's a great place in Wongok-dong for a gathering or group dinner where you stuff yourself.

Don't skip the pork belly and bean sprout soup

I tried the pork belly they brought at the start too, and it was juicier and tastier than I expected!

Add finely chopped Cheongyang chili to the bean sprout soup and, ahh~ the spicy kick wipes out the richness. I overate at this eel buffet.

Overall review of Songnim Bok Jangeo Wongok Branch

Songnim Bok Jangeo Wongok Branch uses Korean freshwater eel and the restaurant is comfortable, so I was very satisfied overall. If you're looking for an eel restaurant good for group dinners and gatherings, how about Songnim Bok Jangeo Freshwater Eel Unlimited Refill Wongok Branch in Wongok-dong, near Ansan Station?