Weekend family dinner at a Cheongna eel buffet: Songrimbok Jangeo

As the weather gets hotter, don't you feel your energy just draining away? That's exactly when you have to look after yourself! And nothing beats eel for keeping your strength up in the heat 💪 So on a weekend evening I went with my family to 'Songrimbok Jangeo' (송림복장어), a hot Cheongna spot in Incheon!

Is there a wait at Songrimbok Cheongna on weekend evenings?

Songrimbok Jangeo's Cheongna direct branch is really crowded at peak time on weekend evenings, so it's best to reserve or go early. The writer's family got lucky and walked straight in with no wait, but people started queuing right after they sat down.

It was peak weekend dinner time, so of course it was packed! We were really lucky and got in without any wait, but right after we came in, a line started forming. If you're going on a weekend, reserve or go early ^^ If we'd been a bit later, we'd have had to wait 🤣

Looking around, there were plenty of families, but also quite a few groups of coworkers and friends there for gatherings or company dinners. It's perfect if you're looking for a Cheongna company dinner or group spot!

What are the price and what's included at Songrimbok?

At Songrimbok's Cheongna direct branch, ₩29,900 per adult gets you unlimited freshwater eel, plus pork belly, pork neck and chicken neck. The Cheongna branch is company-run, and apparently a partner of the Freshwater Eel Aquaculture Fisheries Cooperative's wholesaler No. 8. So you can eat with confidence~!

Unlimited freshwater eel + pork belly & pork neck + chicken neck! ₩29,900!!

• Open daily: 11:50 a.m. – 11 p.m.
• Parking: free in Elimzone basement levels 1–3
• Baby chairs / reservations / takeout / private hire available

The biggest plus of Songrimbok! It's not just eel that's unlimited: you can also eat unlimited pork belly and chicken neck.

Is all-you-can-eat eel small or low quality?

The freshwater eel at Songrimbok's Cheongna direct branch was big and thick, with a really satisfying chew. When people hear 'all-you-can-eat,' some worry the eel will be small or low quality, right? Don't think that for a second! 🙅‍♂️

The eel is really big and thick, with a proper chew. The restaurant was also very clean and tidy, which boosted my trust!

Midway through grilling eel, I golden-browned some pork belly and neck too

Grilled golden like that, it kept going down with no time to get sick of it. Perfect for filling up without any pressure.

At a typical eel specialist, just two servings easily top ₩70,000–80,000, and eating your fill goes well past ₩100,000, which is a real burden, right? But thanks to Songrimbok's friendly ₩29,900 per adult, you can eat until you burst without worrying about your wallet.

What meats are at the Songrimbok self-serve bar?

The Songrimbok self-serve bar has thick pork belly, pork neck and chicken neck, so you won't get tired of eating only eel. Are you worried that 'it's all-you-can-eat eel, so it'll be meatless, small or fishy'? You can drop that worry! 🙅‍♂️

Pork belly, pork neck, even marinated galbi (short ribs)! A self-serve lineup you won't get tired of. However tasty eel is, keep eating only eel and it can get a bit greasy, right? At Songrimbok, there's no such worry at all!

At the self-serve bar, thick pork belly, pork neck and chicken neck are all neatly laid out.

Midway through the eel, grill some nutty pork belly and neck on the grill: the charcoal aroma sinks in and the juices burst out. One bite of eel, one bite of pork belly, back and forth, and it slides down with no time to get bored! For big eaters or anyone who loves both meat and eel, this is practically heaven 👍

• Plump thickness: it goes on a charcoal grill, and the eel is really big and thick~, so the chew really comes through.
• Clean, nutty flavor: grilled golden over the charcoal brazier, it's crispy outside and moist inside, with no fishiness at all, tender and savory!
• Clean hygiene: the self-serve bar and restaurant are very well kept, which really boosted my trust.

How to eat Songrimbok eel at its best

Grill the eel golden, dip it in the special teriyaki sauce, top it with sharp shredded ginger and seasoned chives, and wrap it in a pickled perilla leaf... it's a flavor that gives you a real endorphin rush!

Can you bring a baby to Songrimbok?

Songrimbok's Cheongna direct branch has baby chairs but no dedicated baby menu, so on this visit I fed the baby from the steamed egg (gyeran-jjim) menu. If I had to name one small downside, it's exactly this: no baby menu ㅠㅠ

The adults devoured eel and meat, but meat alone only goes so far for a baby. Luckily there was steamed egg~ ★

Next time I come with the baby (Shunshun), I decided I should bring some rice or side dishes for the baby separately! Worth knowing if you're visiting with a baby 💡 Please make a baby menu, haha

Songrimbok Cheongna verdict and will I return?

With its easy prices, clean restaurant and roomy seating, Songrimbok's Cheongna direct branch is a place I definitely plan to return to. It seems Songrimbok chain branches are popping up everywhere lately, and having gone myself, I immediately understood why it's popular.

• Best value: unlimited fresh freshwater eel + pork at an easy price
• Comfortable setting: good ventilation and a clean restaurant
• Good for gatherings: roomy, ideal for Cheongna company dinners, family gatherings and lunch specials

On a sweltering summer day when your energy is low, it's the best place to drop by for a stamina boost and all the good meat you want, without pressure.

With freshwater eel, pork belly and chicken neck all in generous supply at an easy price, and it being close to home, I'll be back soon! If you're after a good meal after a trip to Cheongna Lake Park, a gathering spot near Bears Best, or a Cheongna lunch place, don't hesitate to try 'Songrimbok Jangeo'! Highly recommended! 👍❤️