Weeknight eel buffet for couples in Cheongna, Incheon: Jangsodam

Why Jangsodam Cheongna for a weeknight stamina dinner?

Jangsodam Eel and Beef Buffet Cheongna Main Branch (장소담 청라본점) is a buffet near Cheongna Canalway where you can eat eel and beef without limit, and the writer went on a weeknight evening with her husband. By the end of the week we were worn out and really craving a hearty stamina meal together.

The weather was getting chillier and we felt we needed some body-boosting food, so I looked for a place where we could eat as much meat and eel as we wanted. A regular grill restaurant felt a bit pricey, and a buffet seemed perfect for eating our fill. So we went to Jangsodam Eel and Beef Buffet Cheongna Main Branch, which serves quality eel and beef without limit near Cheongna Canalway.

I'd heard weekends get pretty crowded, but we came on a weeknight, slightly off the peak, and it was lovely and quiet for a meal.

Jangsodam Cheongna location and parking

The address is 10-17 Jungbong-daero 612beon-gil, Seo-gu, Incheon, units 206, 207 and 208. It sits spaciously on the 2nd floor of a building in the main shopping row of Cheongna Canalway, so it was easy to find, and the basement parking lot is well set up, so we drove my husband's car there with no fuss.

What are the restaurant and self-bar like?

Jangsodam uses units 206 to 208 on the 2nd floor as one big space, so tables are spaced comfortably, and a long self-bar runs through the middle of the restaurant. When we walked in upstairs, the inside was much bigger and more pleasant than I'd expected.

Maybe because it takes up all three units, the tables didn't feel cramped and the room was open, so I worried less about smoke and smell while grilling meat and eel. On a weeknight there were office workers stopping by after work and families eating happily. The staff guided us kindly and helped set up the table quickly.

In the middle of the restaurant was a neatly kept, long self-bar. From fresh wrap vegetables to a variety of side dishes, eel sauce for the grill and shredded ginger, nothing looked wilted and everything was well stocked, so it was easy to use.

B Set price and contents: how good is the freshwater eel?

We chose Jangsodam's signature B Set, ₩34,000 per adult (table setting fee included), for two people. The B Set is a generous deal: stamina freshwater eel, of course, plus sirloin, pork, marinated raw crab, special dishes, Hangang ramyeon, rice, drinks and even soft serve for dessert, all unlimited.

As soon as we sat down, I brought plenty of fresh freshwater eel and chuck ribs from the self-bar. Honestly, since it's a buffet I didn't expect much from the eel's thickness or freshness, but I was surprised the moment it hit the grill. The eel was meaty and thick, and the quality was really excellent.

I grilled the eel golden on a well-heated grill, dipped it in teriyaki sauce and piled on shredded ginger. No fishy taste at all, crisp outside and soft inside, and the nutty richness just burst in my mouth. The grilled sirloin that followed stayed juicy too, and it was very satisfying to chew.

Special dishes corner and unlimited rice and drinks

The special dishes corner was kept warm and had a variety of tempting items, which was perfect for taking the edge off hunger before the meat cooked. Rice and drinks are also unlimited and self-serve, so I was really happy with the value.

Finishing with Hangang ramyeon and soft serve

Jangsodam's special treat is the self-cooking Hangang ramyeon machine (instant noodles cooked in a machine, Han River-style). I topped my ramyeon with a piece of grilled eel and finished with soft serve. After stuffing ourselves with meat and eel, we were craving some spicy broth.

There are several kinds of ramyeon, so you pick what you like, set it on the automatic machine, and in no time you have springy Hangang ramyeon. I added a piece of well-grilled eel and ate it with the spicy broth, and it felt like all the grease in my mouth was washed away.

After a perfect meal, I filled a cup with soft serve from the dessert corner. The rich, cold ice cream was a clean way to end it. My husband said he was very happy to get a full course from eel and beef to ramyeon and dessert for ₩34,000.

Tips for visiting Jangsodam Cheongna

• Best time to visit: Weekend peak hours can be busy, so a weeknight evening or slightly off-peak time is much calmer and quieter at the self-bar.
• Recommended menu: I strongly recommend the B Set (₩34,000), which lets you enjoy freshwater eel, sirloin, ribs, Hangang ramyeon and soft serve.
• Parking and access: The basement parking lot is large, so parking is stress-free, and you can get free parking registration.

Verdict: how was the Jangsodam Cheongna B Set as a Cheongna eel buffet?

Our weeknight stamina meal with my husband at Jangsodam Eel and Beef Buffet Cheongna Main Branch was more than perfect. From the excellent quality of the thick, nutty freshwater eel to the tender sirloin, spicy Hangang ramyeon and sweet soft serve finish, the course lacked nothing.

If you're looking for a good-value, hearty all-you-can-eat eel and beef place or a proper stamina buffet near Cheongna Canalway or Gajeong, do visit Jangsodam Cheongna Main Branch on the 2nd floor of the Jungbong-daero shopping building! Highly recommended.