100-seat eel restaurant for group dinners in Yuseong, Daejeon

Korea has four distinct seasons, and right now feels like exactly that in-between stretch where summer is tipping over into fall.

Whenever the seasons change like this, I like to eat something good for the body to brace for what's coming — so this time I went out for eel. Everyone knows eel is great for you, right?

The spot I went to this time, Songrimbok Jangeo in Jijok-dong, lets you eat eel all-you-can-eat. I was a little worried that 'unlimited' might mean less-than-fresh eel, but that wasn't the case at all — they bring eel in from a direct market every day, using freshly caught eel rather than frozen.

Location and hours of Songrimbok Jangeo Daejeon Direct Store

• Songrimbok Jangeo, 60 Jijokbuk-ro 66beon-gil, 1st floor, units 106 & 107, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon
• Hours: daily 11:50 AM – 11:00 PM

What's included in the all-you-can-eat menu?

Since it's unlimited refills, there's a time limit. And the menu isn't just eel — there's also chicken (or duck) thigh and pork belly, so it works well for visits with kids too, and for group visits. Takeout is available as well, just so you know!

Why it's a good fit for group dinners

The seating was pretty spacious too. The store itself is big, so it seemed great not just for families but for group visits as well. Just eyeballing it, I'd guess it can easily hold 100-plus people, which makes it a solid pick for gatherings or company dinners.

And they had baby chairs set up on one side — such a thoughtful touch, I really appreciated that attention to detail.

Complimentary bokbunja wine

They also gave us a complimentary bokbunja (Korean black raspberry) wine..! I don't drink and the friend I went with had to drive, so we couldn't have any, but for anyone who enjoys a drink, this kind of freebie would definitely bump up satisfaction.

Eel paired with bokbunja... now that's the real deal, right?

How thick was the eel, and was there any fishy taste?

The eel wasn't cut thin — it came out nice and thick, so the texture was great to chew on. One bite and the meat was so plump, it really delivered on flavor.

And best of all, there was almost no fishy taste! They said they catch and prep fresh eel every day, and you could really taste that. Eel can sometimes have that distinct fishy smell when it's not in great condition, but here there was none of that at all, so I just kept eating without a second thought.

Look at that thickness..!! The eel is really plump, right? It's delicious on its own, but the ginger and perilla leaf pickles that came with it were tasty too — paired together, they went really well.

It really deserved to be called top-grade domestic freshwater eel!

You can grab as much eel and chicken thigh as you want, unlimited, just like this!

How was it as a fall nourishment meal?

For anyone who feels like they need some seasonal nourishment as we move from summer into fall, I'd say give this eel a try. The eel was thick and clean-tasting with no fishy notes, and best of all, being all-you-can-eat meant I could eat my fill of it.

It's also perfect for visiting with older family members! It works well for a family meal out or a group gathering too. It had been a while since I properly nourished myself with eel, and I left feeling great about it. If you're looking for a fall nourishment meal, I recommend Songrimbok Jangeo in Jijok-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon!