Seolleung Station eel rice bowl restaurant, a heatwave revisit: Manmok

Why I went back to Manmok at Seolleung Station

Manmok (만목) is a Seolleung Station lunch spot I first stopped at last spring after a walk around Seonjeongneung. The eel bowl I had that day was better than I expected, and ever since, whenever I crave an eel bowl, Manmok is the first place that comes to mind. With the heatwave dragging on, my body and mind were worn out and my appetite was gone, so I badly needed a pick-me-up and went back without a second thought.

Manmok opening hours, location and parking

• Hours: daily 11:00–22:00
• Break time: 15:00–17:00
• Last order: 21:20
• Reservations available via Naver

Manmok is near the restaurant alley by Exit 2 of Seolleung Station, and the exterior alone gives off a high-end Japanese restaurant vibe. Last time it was cherry blossom season, so we walked over lightly after strolling around Seonjeongneung. This time the weather was hot enough to melt asphalt, so we drove to a place that's only a 15-minute walk from my home.

There is parking in front of the restaurant, but only for 2 cars, so it's luck of the draw. There are several public car parks nearby, though, so drivers don't need to worry about parking.

Manmok interior and seating options

Inside, Manmok is much bigger and more comfortable than it looks from the street. Soft lighting and classy wood-toned interiors make it feel warm and cozy.

The table setup is varied too, so you can choose by group size or the kind of gathering. There are large tables for bigger groups and partitioned tables for more privacy, so pick whatever suits you. There's also a bar table by the window that's easy for dining solo, so solo diners can come without feeling awkward.

How do Manmok's lunch and dinner menus differ?

Manmok's lunch and dinner menus are different. Lunch is eel bowls only, while dinner offers a wider range including hanwoo (Korean beef) nabe (hot pot), eel nabe and grilled eel. I hear the eel is freshwater eel from Gochang only, which is considered among the best sources in Korea!

You can choose the eel bowl by amount of eel: half, whole, or one and a half eels, so it's easy to order to match your appetite. At lunchtime some alcohol is sold at a discount, so if you're having a relaxed lunch, a light drink with the eel is a nice option.

A review event is also running.

On the side of each table, Manmok neatly keeps cups, wet towels, napkins and other things you need for the meal. It uses space efficiently, and as a customer I found it quite convenient to grab what I needed without calling a staff member.

What comes with Manmok's whole-eel rice bowl set

We have average appetites, so we ordered two eel bowls with one whole eel each.

Manmok's eel bowl comes neatly served as a full tray set.

Reviewing each item one by one: the chawanmushi (Japanese steamed egg custard) had a soft texture and good savory depth, and

the salad of fresh vegetables with a nutty perilla dressing was satisfying too.

Matsutake mushroom soup instead of miso soup

Japanese restaurants usually serve miso soup, but Manmok serves matsutake mushroom soup instead. The matsutake aroma came through stronger than I expected, giving deep flavor with every sip, and the texture and scent of the mushroom itself were great, so I enjoyed it a lot.

Manmok's Kanto-style eel rice bowl vs Kyoto's Kansai style

Now, the star of the day: the eel bowl. The Kansai-style eel bowl I had on a Kyoto trip last winter was grilled straight over charcoal without steaming, so the outside was crisp and the texture a bit chewier.

Manmok, by contrast, reportedly uses the Kanto-style method: steam the eel once, then grill it twice over charcoal. Maybe that's why the oil was drained off just right and the flesh was even softer, and the seasoning suited our taste perfectly, so satisfaction was high again.

Manmok's eel is delicious on its own, but put a piece on the rice and add wasabi, sancho (Japanese pepper) or pickled ginger, and you get a varied, refreshing taste.

White kimchi and radish salad: the radish salad steals the show

Manmok serves white kimchi and seasoned radish (musaengchae) as side dishes. The white kimchi is refreshing, but the radish is the real temptress. Spicy, tangy and crunchy, it stirs the appetite even on its own, and it was the best pairing for cutting the richness of the eel bowl.

Dessert: matcha or black tea ice cream

Manmok serves ice cream for dessert after the meal. You can choose matcha or black tea, and it cleaned up the lingering hint of fishiness in my mouth, so the finish was perfect.

Was Manmok at Seolleung Station just as good the second time?

The food goes without saying, and the classy atmosphere and neat, tidy tray set made everything about Manmok satisfying. If you're looking for a great eel bowl restaurant near Seolleung Station or Daechi, I can recommend it with confidence.