# Yeoksam eel restaurant for solo dining: hitsumabushi at Unagiwa - By Doyun S. (https://superchart.com/en/@gwangju-seoul-pause/) - Written Sep 23, 2026 - Local places › Restaurants › Gangnam, Seoul - Sponsored: This visit was sponsored by the business. - English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@gwangju-seoul-pause/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa/ - Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@gwangju-seoul-pause/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa/index.md) ## In short Unagiwa is a Nagoya-style hitsumabushi (grilled eel rice bowl) restaurant on the second floor a short walk from Yeoksam Station Exit 7 in Gangnam, Seoul. On a day for treating myself to one good meal alone, I ordered the Hitsumabushi Sang (38,000 won) with an unagi omelet and an Ebisu draft beer, and split the bowl into the three servings the staff explained. Wide spacing between tables and a calm room make Unagiwa easy for both solo dinners and group meals. ## Good to know - **Address**: 2F, 71 Bongeunsa-ro 30-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul - **Hours**: 11:00-21:00 (break 15:00-17:00, closed Saturday and Sunday) - **Hitsumabushi Sang (one whole eel)**: 38,000 won - **Hitsumabushi Teuk (one and a half eels)**: 52,000 won - **Hitsumabushi Mini (half an eel)**: 26,000 won - **[Dinner] Charcoal-grilled salted eel, one whole**: 36,000 won - **Good to know**: Nagoya-style hitsumabushi specialist, eel from the restaurant's own Ganghwa-do farm, valet parking available *as written by the visitor on Sep 23, 2026* ![Hitsumabushi eel rice bowl table setting at Unagiwa near Yeoksam Station](https://img.superchart.com/images/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa-01-nl7lh-900.webp) A day I wanted to treat myself to a really nice meal. I'd heard this was the place to taste the essence of Nagoya-style eel rice bowl, hitsumabushi. So I went to 'Unagiwa' near Yeoksam Station. Here's my honest review of a mouthful of happiness in an upscale setting. ![Wood-tone interior inside Unagiwa](https://img.superchart.com/images/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa-02-lfl2q-900.webp) ## Where Unagiwa is and what to know before you go - Address: 71 Bongeunsa-ro 30-gil, 2F, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea - Hours: 11:00 - 21:00 (break 15:00-17:00, closed Sat/Sun) - Notes: Nagoya-style hitsumabushi specialist, eel from own Ganghwa-do farm, valet parking available ![Entrance to Unagiwa on the 2nd floor of Bongeunsa-ro 30-gil](https://img.superchart.com/images/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa-03-10w1h-900.webp) ![Bamboo-forest-inspired entrance design at Unagiwa](https://img.superchart.com/images/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa-04-89ome-900.webp) ![Passageway leading to Unagiwa's 2nd floor dining room](https://img.superchart.com/images/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa-05-14dhh-900.webp) ## Is Unagiwa comfortable for eating alone? Walk a short way from Exit 7 of Yeoksam Station and you'll find 'Unagiwa' on the 2nd floor. Even the entrance, with its bamboo-forest-like design, raises expectations. Once inside, the space was much wider and more pleasant than I expected. The overall interior is warm wood tones. Soft lighting and plants placed here and there added a touch of luxury. The wide gaps between tables made it easy to focus on conversation. It seemed perfect for important gatherings or a quiet meal. In fact, I saw people having business meetings, couples on dates, and solo diners enjoying a tidy meal by themselves — all kinds of guests comfortably enjoying the space. With a calm, not-too-noisy atmosphere allowing a private meal, it's a space that would satisfy no matter who you come with. ![Widely spaced dining tables in Unagiwa's main hall](https://img.superchart.com/images/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa-06-8fwba-900.webp) ![Soft lighting and plants inside Unagiwa](https://img.superchart.com/images/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa-07-sxzbm-900.webp) ![Calm seating area at Unagiwa](https://img.superchart.com/images/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa-08-1qei4-900.webp) ## What I ordered at Unagiwa - Hitsumabushi (Sang) - Unagi omelet - Ebisu draft beer ![Hitsumabushi Sang table setting at Unagiwa](https://img.superchart.com/images/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa-09-1e07t-900.webp) ![Side dishes served with the hitsumabushi](https://img.superchart.com/images/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa-10-cb0m6-900.webp) ![Hitsumabushi eel rice bowl with the lid opened](https://img.superchart.com/images/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa-11-1wki2-900.webp) ![Glossy charcoal-grilled eel covering the rice](https://img.superchart.com/images/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa-12-k1hhi-900.webp) ## Three ways to eat hitsumabushi at Unagiwa Soon, a tidy table was set in front of me. The moment I opened the lid, glossy eel covered the rice completely. A subtle charcoal aroma sharpened my appetite right away. The staff kindly explained the three best ways to enjoy hitsumabushi. ![Hitsumabushi divided into four portions with a rice paddle](https://img.superchart.com/images/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa-13-1wbis-900.webp) ### First: the eel and rice on its own I divided the bowl into four with the rice paddle and scooped out the first portion to taste as-is. They said it was antibiotic-free eel raised directly in Ganghwa-do, and it really was different — soft eel flesh without a single stray bone, melting in my mouth. The sweet-savory tare sauce soaked into every grain of rice for a perfect harmony. ### Second: with perilla leaf and wasabi For the second portion, I piled on the perilla leaf, scallions and wasabi that came alongside, and mixed it all together. The fragrant perilla leaf and sharp wasabi cut through what could otherwise feel rich. ![Eel rice bowl topped with perilla leaf, scallions and wasabi](https://img.superchart.com/images/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa-14-1h2v1-900.webp) With the extra textures and flavors added, it felt like an entirely different dish. ![Second-style hitsumabushi mixed with accompaniments](https://img.superchart.com/images/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa-15-18lkv-900.webp) ### Third: as ochazuke with broth For the last portion, I poured hot broth (ocha) over the rice to make ochazuke. With the warm broth added, the flavor turned even softer and lighter. Slurping it down warmed me from the inside and gave the meal a hearty finish. This, I realized, is the true charm of hitsumabushi. ![Eel ochazuke made by pouring hot broth over the rice](https://img.superchart.com/images/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa-16-b65hv-1200.webp) ![Hitsumabushi bowl finished as ochazuke](https://img.superchart.com/images/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa-17-11a72-900.webp) ![Close-up of Unagiwa's eel rice bowl](https://img.superchart.com/images/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa-18-1o6lv-900.webp) ![A piece of eel lifted with chopsticks](https://img.superchart.com/images/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa-19-1hpvw-900.webp) ## Unagiwa's unagi omelet The unagi omelet I ordered as a side. Inside the fluffy, thick Japanese-style rolled omelet was savory eel. The soft egg and chewy eel textures came together into a great side dish. If you come here, I'd definitely recommend trying it too. ![Thick unagi omelet at Unagiwa](https://img.superchart.com/images/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa-20-1mzwf-900.webp) ## Pairing the eel with Ebisu draft beer A meal this perfect couldn't be without a cold draft beer. The Ebisu draft, with its smooth foam and refreshing finish, brought out the eel's savory flavor even more while cleansing the palate. The best pairing. ![Ebisu draft beer served alongside the eel rice bowl](https://img.superchart.com/images/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa-21-1p00u-900.webp) ## Final verdict on Unagiwa 'Unagiwa' was a place where the food, the atmosphere, and the service were all excellent. The tidy, upscale space is perfect for gatherings or dates, and eating alone still felt like being well taken care of, letting me focus fully on the meal — a great spot for solo dining too. If you want a dignified meal in the Gangnam or Yeoksam area, or need to recharge after an exhausting day, I strongly recommend 'Unagiwa'. ![Table at Unagiwa after finishing the meal](https://img.superchart.com/images/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa-22-mimxl-m-900.webp) ![View of Unagiwa's dining atmosphere](https://img.superchart.com/images/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa-23-f1jso-900.webp) ## Unagiwa menu and prices - Hitsumabushi Sang (whole eel) ₩38,000 - Hitsumabushi Teuk (1.5 eel) ₩52,000 - Hitsumabushi Mini (half eel) ₩26,000 - [Dinner] Charcoal-grilled salted eel, 1 whole ₩36,000 ![Unagiwa hitsumabushi menu price list](https://img.superchart.com/images/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa-24-1ejtl-900.webp) ## Where it is - Unagiwa (우나기와) - 71 Bongeunsa-ro 30-gil, 2F, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea - 서울특별시 강남구 봉은사로30길 71 2층 - 37.5030197, 127.0370094 - Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EC%9A%B0%EB%82%98%EA%B8%B0%EC%99%80/@37.5030197,127.0370094,17z --- Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@gwangju-seoul-pause/yeoksam-solo-hitsumabushi-unagiwa/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt