# Family eel dinner in Buk-gu, Gwangju: Deokeun Jangeo - By Eunchae (https://superchart.com/en/@gwangju-spoon-rest/) - Written Sep 13, 2026 - Local places › Restaurants › Buk-gu, Gwangju - Sponsored: This post was written with sponsorship for a visit to the restaurant. - English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@gwangju-spoon-rest/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting/ - Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@gwangju-spoon-rest/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting/index.md) ## In short Deokeun Jangeo Main Branch is a charcoal-grilled freshwater eel restaurant in Buk-gu, Gwangju. My family waited about 1 hour on a Saturday evening before choosing and grilling thick eel, priced at 29,000 won per 1 kg. Verdict: a satisfying family dinner spot I would happily revisit. ## Good to know - **Address**: 596 Haseo-ro, 1F, Buk-gu, Gwangju, South Korea (전남광주 북구 하서로 596 1층) - **Hours**: Daily 11:00–22:00; last order 20:30 - **Parking**: Large dedicated parking lot; said to hold about 80 cars - **Signature eel**: Signature Pungcheon freshwater eel, 1 kg (600 g boneless), ₩29,000 - **Table setting**: ₩4,000 per adult, including charcoal and side dishes - **Preschooler table setting**: ₩2,000 - **Bottled water**: One per two people; additional bottles ₩500 - **Other information**: Wi-Fi, group tables available; Sangsaeng Card and local currency not accepted *as written by the visitor on Sep 13, 2026* This time, I went out for grilled eel with my family! My sister's company had recommended this restaurant, and it turned out that Mom and Dad had already been here haha. That made me even more excited—it is clearly a place loved by people nearby and by families 😊 ## Deokeun Jangeo parking and entrance There is a large dedicated parking lot. ![Deokeun Jangeo restaurant information and dedicated parking guide](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting-01-1bpbi-900.webp) ![Deokeun Jangeo restaurant information and parking guide](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting-02-15789-900.webp) They say parking is available for around 80 cars, but both the first and second floors were spacious enough that it looked like they could fit even more! We parked on the second floor too before heading in. ![Using the second-floor parking lot at Deokeun Jangeo](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting-03-18jim-900.webp) ![Deokeun Jangeo entrance below the parking lot](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting-04-349ol-900.webp) After parking, head down one floor and you will see the entrance. ## How long was the Saturday evening wait? ![Catchtable waitlist information at Deokeun Jangeo](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting-05-1dc12-900.webp) ![Guests waiting to enter Deokeun Jangeo](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting-06-yvdev-900.webp) As soon as you arrive, you need to join the waitlist through Catchtable! We arrived at 6 p.m. on a Saturday evening with around 35 parties ahead of us, then got seated around 7:10 p.m.! ![Saturday evening wait at Deokeun Jangeo](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting-07-132qo-900.webp) We got in after waiting about an hour haha. The turnover was surprisingly quick, so it was worth the wait. Seeing the place packed right up until the final waitlist really proves it is a great restaurant, right?? People of all ages from Gwangju came in with family, friends, and more. ## Eel prices and how to choose ![Pungcheon freshwater eel price information at Deokeun Jangeo](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting-08-15hjf-900.webp) ![Table-setting price information at Deokeun Jangeo](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting-09-1s3xy-900.webp) The signature Pungcheon freshwater eel is ₩29,000 for 1 kg (600 g boneless), and the adult table setting, including charcoal and side dishes, is ₩4,000 per person. ![Counter for choosing eel yourself](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting-10-1a9a8-900.webp) ![Eel selection counter at Deokeun Jangeo](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting-11-abdqc-900.webp) You choose the eel you want directly from the counter. Around 400 g per person is recommended, but our big eaters (= my husband) had 1.5 kg plus one more eel^^ ## Things to know before visiting ![Notice of normal business hours during the Chuseok holiday](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting-12-vf9wf-900.webp) They will be open as usual during this Chuseok holiday period, so it seems like a nice place to visit with family over the holiday. ![Preschooler fee and restaurant-use information](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting-13-5yk1g-900.webp) The table setting for preschoolers is ₩2,000, and they offer Wi-Fi and group tables. However, Sangsaeng Cards and local currency cannot be used! ## Dining space and table setting The table setting costs an additional ₩4,000 per person. Once you sit down, the basic setting is laid out like this. Extra meal items can be ordered on the tablet, while vegetables and ssam (wrap leaves) can be refilled without limit at the self-bar. ![Basic eel meal table setting and self-bar](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting-14-c9yl7-900.webp) The restaurant was already so smoky inside that it felt like a festival! ![Smoke-filled eel dining area](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting-15-oahfp-900.webp) You get one bottle of water per two people, and extra water is ₩500. You can also use the water purifier at the self-bar! For soft drinks and alcohol, let a staff member know—or order on the tablet!! ### Using the self-bar The self-bar has all the extra vegetables and seasonings too, so please take only as much as you will eat! ## Thick eel grilled at the table First, a little drink to get us started~ ![A drink to accompany the eel meal](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting-16-hliv1-900.webp) Let's start grilling the eel. ![Beginning to grill eel over charcoal](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting-17-q8bse-900.webp) The eel we chose!! It was so thick—honestly the most delicious eel I have ever hadㅜㅜ ![Thick eel selected for the meal](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting-18-enjha-900.webp) It went down so easily. ![Grilling and eating eel](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting-19-pgbag-1200.webp) Flip it every so often and eat it right away! The owner or part-time staff check in now and then, but the restaurant is so busy that you need to keep an eye on your own grill. ![Turning eel over while grilling it at the table](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting-20-1xbj9-900.webp) The owner kindly showed us how to grill it and even gave us a little service, so we quickly got the hang of it and grilled some more. ![Grilling eel using the method explained by a staff member](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting-21-18z1k-900.webp) Ta-da~~ Look at that plump, glossy eel. I seriously want it againㅠㅠ Even if I come to Gwangju next time, I have to come back for this!! ![A bite of plump, fully grilled eel](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting-22-10lr6-900.webp) A proper big bite—ahh~~ I even picked up a business card!! I do not know why, though. ## Ice cream and coffee after the meal ![Free ice cream offer for receipt reviews](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting-23-slr8t-900.webp) They also give you ice cream if you take part in a receipt review. ![Coffee machines used after the meal](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting-24-1a395-900.webp) Us grown-ups had to have coffee, of course. There were several coffee machines, which was so nice! Deokeun Jangeo Main Branch was truly, truly satisfying—nothing was lacking in flavor, kindness, service, or price! Now I understand why it is so well-known among adults as a great Buk-gu, Gwangju restaurant and an excellent eel spot in Gwangju!! ## Recommended for - Anyone who wants to enjoy plenty of grilled eel without a huge price burden - Anyone looking for a meal spot for family, friends, or a group - Anyone seeking somewhere to go for holidays, Chuseok, or family events ## Where it is - Deokeun Jangeo Main Branch (더큰장어 본점) - 596 Haseo-ro, 1F, Buk-gu, Gwangju, South Korea (전남광주 북구 하서로 596 1층) - 전남광주통합특별시 북구 하서로 596 1층 - 35.2263164, 126.8839238 - Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EB%8D%94%ED%81%B0%EC%9E%A5%EC%96%B4%20%EB%B3%B8%EC%A0%90/@35.2263164,126.8839238,17z --- Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@gwangju-spoon-rest/gwangju-bukgu-eel-family-waiting/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt