# Charcoal-grilled eel at the bar seats near Yeoksam Station: Chisot Yeoksam - By Bora (https://superchart.com/en/@fluorescent-lunches/) - Written Sep 9, 2026 - Local places › Restaurants › Gangnam, Seoul - Sponsored: This post is based on a meal provided by the restaurant. - English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@fluorescent-lunches/chisot-yeoksam-binchotan-unagi-bar-seat/ - Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@fluorescent-lunches/chisot-yeoksam-binchotan-unagi-bar-seat/index.md) ## In short Chisot Yeoksam Main Branch is an authentic Nagoya-style freshwater eel rice bowl restaurant on Bongeunsa-ro 30-gil near Yeoksam Station in Gangnam, Seoul. Seated at the bar, the writer watched the chef grill eel over binchotan charcoal through the kitchen glass while eating the hitsumabushi sang (₩37,000) full course, working through it in four stages from chawanmushi to ochazuke. A solid recommendation for a proper Japanese restorative meal when energy is running low. ## Good to know - **Hitsumabushi mini**: ₩25,000 - **Hitsumabushi sang (regular)**: ₩37,000 - **Hitsumabushi teuksang (premium)**: ₩48,000 - **Sake-don (salmon bowl)**: ₩16,500 - **Shoyu sake-don**: ₩17,500 - **Chashu-don**: ₩14,000 - **Special bento**: Weekday lunch only - **Seating**: Group tables and a bar-style counter (solo dining welcome) - **Address**: 59 Bongeunsa-ro 30-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea *as written by the visitor on Sep 9, 2026* ![Signature hitsumabushi dish at Chisot Yeoksam Main Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/chisot-yeoksam-binchotan-unagi-bar-seat/chisot-yeoksam-binchotan-unagi-bar-seat-01-uffar-1200.webp) Today I'm sharing an honest review of Chisot Yeoksam, an authentic Nagoya-style freshwater eel rice bowl restaurant near Yeoksam where you can enjoy a refined, upscale bowl of restorative food. ![Entrance slogan at Chisot Yeoksam Main Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/chisot-yeoksam-binchotan-unagi-bar-seat/chisot-yeoksam-binchotan-unagi-bar-seat-02-14cn7-966.webp) ![Exterior of Chisot Yeoksam Main Branch on Bongeunsa-ro 30-gil](https://img.superchart.com/images/chisot-yeoksam-binchotan-unagi-bar-seat/chisot-yeoksam-binchotan-unagi-bar-seat-03-18x9p-966.webp) I've had a heavy workload lately and my energy's been dipping, so I was craving a proper Japanese restorative meal, and this is where the search led me. Even before walking in, a bold line at the entrance — "Rising flames, rising strength, in every bite" — had me hyped up. ## The space & the binchotan charcoal show ![Interior with modern wood-toned decor](https://img.superchart.com/images/chisot-yeoksam-binchotan-unagi-bar-seat/chisot-yeoksam-binchotan-unagi-bar-seat-04-16vux-966.webp) ![Dining room with group tables](https://img.superchart.com/images/chisot-yeoksam-binchotan-unagi-bar-seat/chisot-yeoksam-binchotan-unagi-bar-seat-05-19d6b-966.webp) Walking inside, the warm yet sleek modern wood-toned interior stood out right away. Beyond the cozy group tables, there's a well-set-up straight bar counter where you'd feel zero awkwardness dining solo — perfect for Yeoksam office workers grabbing lunch alone. ![Straight bar counter ideal for solo dining](https://img.superchart.com/images/chisot-yeoksam-binchotan-unagi-bar-seat/chisot-yeoksam-binchotan-unagi-bar-seat-06-fj0ax-966.webp) ![Eel grilling over binchotan charcoal seen through the kitchen glass](https://img.superchart.com/images/chisot-yeoksam-binchotan-unagi-bar-seat/chisot-yeoksam-binchotan-unagi-bar-seat-07-1xm48-966.webp) Sitting at the bar gives you the best view in the house: through the kitchen glass, you can watch the chef grilling eel live over binchotan charcoal! Flames flare up dramatically as the eel turns golden-brown, and watching him brush on the special tare sauce for extra depth of flavor had me salivating on the spot. ## Menu & ordering info ![Menu board listing hitsumabushi and sake-don](https://img.superchart.com/images/chisot-yeoksam-binchotan-unagi-bar-seat/chisot-yeoksam-binchotan-unagi-bar-seat-08-1gtwm-966.webp) The menu centers on the signature hitsumabushi (freshwater eel rice bowl), alongside salmon rice bowl (sake-don), chashu-don, and a special bento available only for weekday lunch. - Hitsumabushi mini: ₩25,000 - Hitsumabushi sang (regular): ₩37,000 - Hitsumabushi teuksang (premium): ₩48,000 - Sake-don: ₩16,500 / Shoyu sake-don: ₩17,500 - Chashu-don: ₩14,000 I went with the restaurant's signature hitsumabushi sang! ![The ordered hitsumabushi sang solo course](https://img.superchart.com/images/chisot-yeoksam-binchotan-unagi-bar-seat/chisot-yeoksam-binchotan-unagi-bar-seat-09-1o0a6-966.webp) ![Eel rice bowl course served on a wooden tray](https://img.superchart.com/images/chisot-yeoksam-binchotan-unagi-bar-seat/chisot-yeoksam-binchotan-unagi-bar-seat-10-1ew6z-966.webp) ## The ultimate in refinement: a single-serving full course Shortly after, the staff brought out a beautifully arranged solo course on a neat wooden tray. It looked so clean and pampering I couldn't not take photos. Alongside the main hitsumabushi came chawanmushi (Japanese steamed egg custard) topped with shrimp and smooth as pudding, a refreshing salmon salad, yakumi made of scallion, wasabi and seaweed flakes, pickled ginger and chili, warm miso soup, and warm broth with a wooden paddle for ochazuke, ![Chawanmushi steamed egg custard topped with shrimp](https://img.superchart.com/images/chisot-yeoksam-binchotan-unagi-bar-seat/chisot-yeoksam-binchotan-unagi-bar-seat-11-1b5l7-966.webp) ![Yakumi of scallion, wasabi and seaweed flakes](https://img.superchart.com/images/chisot-yeoksam-binchotan-unagi-bar-seat/chisot-yeoksam-binchotan-unagi-bar-seat-12-x51i5-966.webp) ![Salmon salad and pickled ginger side dishes](https://img.superchart.com/images/chisot-yeoksam-binchotan-unagi-bar-seat/chisot-yeoksam-binchotan-unagi-bar-seat-13-1jbwy-966.webp) ![Ochazuke broth with a wooden paddle and empty bowl](https://img.superchart.com/images/chisot-yeoksam-binchotan-unagi-bar-seat/chisot-yeoksam-binchotan-unagi-bar-seat-14-83kjb-966.webp) plus an empty bowl, all fully thought out. The chawanmushi as a starter melted the second it hit my mouth, like pudding, and was a lovely way to warm up my stomach. They say the main eel is Grade 1 domestic Japonica freshwater eel only, brushed with Chisot's own tare sauce aged for 72 hours, and grilled three times over charcoal — and it truly was the textbook definition of crisp-outside, tender-inside. The outside had a satisfying crunch while the inside was plump and soft, with the charcoal aroma running deep, so there was none of that usual eel heaviness. ![Close-up of charcoal-grilled eel brushed with tare sauce](https://img.superchart.com/images/chisot-yeoksam-binchotan-unagi-bar-seat/chisot-yeoksam-binchotan-unagi-bar-seat-15-o000p-966.webp) ## Four ways to enjoy hitsumabushi at 200% Following the guide provided, I divided the rice into four portions with the wooden paddle and tried it in different combinations. - First (as is): Scoop into the empty bowl and eat the eel and rice plain. You get the full depth of the charcoal aroma and the salty-sweet tare sauce. - Second (with yakumi): Add scallion, wasabi and seaweed flakes and mix it through. The sharp wasabi and crisp scallion make the flavor more layered and clean. - Third (ochazuke): Pour warm ochazuke broth generously over the eel and rice. The savory, nutty flavor explodes — personally my favorite combination of all! - Fourth: I finished off the last of the rice with my favorite method from step three, the ochazuke style, for a clean and satisfying close. ## Final thoughts & visiting tips Top-grade Japonica eel, a lovingly made 72-hour-aged tare sauce, and a charcoal-grilling show unfolding right before your eyes — nothing was lacking in this meal. If you're near Yeoksam Station wanting a hearty, proper restorative meal, or looking for a spot for an important gathering or date, I highly recommend Chisot Yeoksam. ## Where it is - Chisot Yeoksam Main Branch (치솟 역삼본점) - 59 Bongeunsa-ro 30-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea - 서울특별시 강남구 봉은사로30길 59 지상1층 102호 - 37.5037272, 127.0367344 - Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EC%B9%98%EC%86%9F%20%EC%97%AD%EC%82%BC%EB%B3%B8%EC%A0%90/@37.5037272,127.0367344,17z --- Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@fluorescent-lunches/chisot-yeoksam-binchotan-unagi-bar-seat/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt