Couple's eel buffet in Saesol-dong for ₩65,800: Songrim Bok Jangeo

All-you-can-eat eel for under ₩30,000?! I love eel, but the price has always kept me from eating it very often.

So this time my husband and I went to Songrim Bok Jangeo Freshwater Eel All-You-Can-Eat Saesol Direct Branch (송림복장어 민물장어 무한리필 새솔직영점) in Saesol-dong.

At this branch you can eat all-you-can-eat freshwater eel for ₩29,900 per person. What I loved is that you get pork belly and chicken neck too, not just eel.

The eel was thicker and milder than I expected, and I really enjoyed it. The restaurant is spacious and clean and has parking, so it's worth a look if you're searching for a good spot in Songsan Green City or a place for a group dinner in Saesol-dong.

What are the restaurant and parking like?

The inside is spacious and clean, and you can use the building's underground parking and parking tower. Outside, signs announce the all-you-can-eat freshwater eel.

One slogan in particular stood out: "Price crash! Distribution revolution! Unlimited clean freshwater eel with excellent taste and quality." It really stresses that this is an eel specialist.

Inside, it was roomier and cleaner than I expected. There are plenty of tables, and the whole place felt neatly kept.

You grill the eel yourself over charcoal, which made the meal fun. I thought it would work well for family gatherings, and for group dinners or get-togethers with lots of people in Saesol-dong.

How much is the all-you-can-eat freshwater eel?

The all-you-can-eat freshwater eel is ₩29,900 per adult, plus a separate ₩3,000 table fee, so it's actually ₩32,900 per person. The all-you-can-eat price is Songrim Bok Jangeo's biggest selling point.

One thing you need to know! Adults pay a separate ₩3,000 table fee, so the real cost per person is ₩32,900.

There were two of us, so the base cost came to ₩65,800 in total. The all-you-can-eat time limit is 2 hours, leftovers can't be taken home, and an environmental fee may be charged if you leave food. Better to bring just a little at a time, right?

Is all-you-can-eat eel actually fresh?

According to the restaurant's notice, live eel is prepped by hand every morning at the market and then served. What impressed me here was how much they emphasize the freshness of the eel.

With an all-you-can-eat place you can't help wondering about quality. The eel we got looked thick and appetizing.

To start, a staff member brought a big plate with eel, pork belly and what looked like chicken neck. They also set out the basic side dishes and added the charcoal, so we could start grilling right away.

What's at the self-bar?

The self-bar has freshwater eel and pork belly, along with all kinds of vegetables and side dishes. They set the table for you at first, but after that you can freely grab whatever you want, and I liked that the self-bar is so well stocked.

If you run out of eel, you just bring more, and if you want pork belly, you can add that too, which was convenient. I especially liked being able to alternate with other meat instead of eating only eel.

You can also take as many wrap vegetables and side dishes as you like, so it's easy to eat the way you prefer.

How does the charcoal-grilled freshwater eel taste?

Grilled over charcoal, the freshwater eel at Songrim Bok Jangeo was thick and mild. I finally got to grill the eel I'd been waiting for, and the moment the charcoal came in, the eel went on the grill first. Watching it turn a delicious color as it cooked, I couldn't wait to taste it.

Once it was partly cooked, I cut it into bite-size pieces and grilled it a little longer. What I liked most when I tasted it was the thick flesh and the mild flavor. The meat was quite thick with a good chew, and the inside was tender.

Above all, the eel's rich, nutty flavor came through nicely, which satisfied me. You can eat the eel with shredded ginger or side dishes for a different taste. Alternating with sides that cut the richness makes it even cleaner on the palate.

Usually when I go out for eel, I hesitate to order more because of the price, so I liked that at Songrim Bok Jangeo you can bring as much as you want.

Can you eat pork belly and chicken neck, not just eel?

Songrim Bok Jangeo doesn't serve only freshwater eel. The first table setting came with pork belly and what looked like chicken neck, and you can bring various other meats from the self-bar, so it was easy to grill eel and meat together.

It's an advantage especially for groups, since people who love eel and people who prefer regular meat can eat together. It's an all-you-can-eat eel specialist, but with meat options too, it looked well suited to family meals and group dinners.

Who I recommend Songrim Bok Jangeo Saesol Direct Branch to

• Eel lovers: people who want to eat as much freshwater eel as they like without worrying about extra costs
• People looking for a family gathering spot: families who want eel along with pork belly and other meats
• People looking for a group dinner spot in Saesol-dong: those planning a group meal in a spacious, clean restaurant
• People looking for a dinner spot in Songsan Green City: those who want a hearty meal of eel grilled over charcoal
• People who prefer easy parking: those looking for a restaurant with underground parking and a parking tower

FAQ before you visit

How much is the all-you-can-eat freshwater eel?

At Songrim Bok Jangeo Saesol Direct Branch it's ₩29,900 per adult, plus a separate ₩3,000 table fee, for ₩32,900 per person in total.

Can you eat other meat besides eel?

Yes. You can also enjoy other meats such as pork belly and chicken neck.

Is there parking, and is it good for groups?

You can use the building's underground parking and parking tower, and the spacious restaurant looks suitable for family gatherings and group dinners.

Verdict: worth a visit if you love eel

We visited Songrim Bok Jangeo Saesol Direct Branch together, my husband and I! What satisfied me most was being able to enjoy thick, mild freshwater eel all-you-can-eat. It was also convenient to grab as much eel, meat and side dishes as we wanted from the self-bar. Above all, the restaurant is spacious and clean, so we could eat comfortably.

It's good to know in advance that there's a separate table fee. If you're looking for a good restaurant in Saesol-dong or Songsan Green City, I especially recommend it to eel lovers. From family gatherings to group dinners in Saesol-dong, a hearty lunch or dinner! On a day you want to eat all the eel you can, visit Songrim Bok Jangeo Saesol Direct Branch :)