Eel buffet for big team dinners in Jijok-dong, Daejeon: Songrimbok

Where can you eat eel on a budget in Jijok-dong, Daejeon?

Songrimbok Jangeo Unlimited Eel Daejeon Direct Store (송림복장어 민물장어무한리필 대전직영점) in Jijok-dong, Daejeon lets you eat domestic freshwater eel all-you-can-eat for ₩29,900 per adult. Sometimes you crave eel but the price holds you back. Order one portion, then two, and suddenly you're well over ₩100,000, and going with the whole family makes you hesitate even more.

Recently I found a place in Jijok-dong where you can eat domestic freshwater eel on an unlimited plan. Honestly, I didn't expect much at first because the price was so low. But once I actually went, I completely changed my mind. Eel, pork belly, duck neck and chicken neck are all unlimited, and the place is huge, so it works for family meals, company dinners and group gatherings.

Today's spot is Songrimbok Jangeo Unlimited Eel Daejeon Direct Store. The unlimited freshwater eel sign stands out from the building's exterior, and the ₩29,900 price is the first thing that catches your eye.

Songrimbok Daejeon Direct Store: location, hours and parking

The store is at 60 Jijokbuk-ro 66beon-gil, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon (1st floor, units 106 and 107) and is open daily from 11:50 to 23:00. If you're looking for a group dinner spot in Jijok-dong, Daejeon, here are the basics.

• Address: 60 Jijokbuk-ro 66beon-gil, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon (1st floor, units 106 and 107)
• Hours: Daily 11:50–23:00
• Parking: Available in front of the building
• Signature menu: Domestic Japonica all-in-one unlimited refill, ₩29,900 per adult

Even from a distance, the restaurant looks big, easily enough for a group dinner. The entrance is neatly kept too. A good first impression raises how much you enjoy the meal.

A sign says the eel is prepared by hand every day, so you can feel their pride in the eel before you even walk in. The origin labeling is also openly displayed, and the use of domestic freshwater eel stands out.

Is Songrimbok big enough for a team dinner?

Songrimbok's Daejeon Direct Store is said to be 130 pyeong and to hold up to 200 people, with a central hall, window seats and separate private rooms, so it's plenty for group dinners. It was far bigger than I expected.

The first thing that surprised me when I walked in was the size. It's said to be 130 pyeong and hold up to 200 people, and seeing it in person, I understood why it's known as a dinner spot.

• The central hall is wide open, so it never feels stuffy. The tables are nicely spaced out.
• Lots of window seats give an airy feel. Visit in the daytime and the natural light is pretty good.
• There are separate private rooms too. With generously laid-out seating, they looked great for family gatherings and group dinners.
• The open kitchen gives a cleaner impression and shows they care about hygiene.
• Baby chairs are available, so it's good for visiting with kids.

Domestic Japonica freshwater eel, plus pork belly, duck neck and chicken neck, all unlimited. It's a great-value lineup. At ₩29,900 per adult you can eat plenty, so satisfaction is high for family meals, group gatherings and company dinners.

Songrimbok's table setting and self-serve bar

The basic setup at Songrimbok includes pickles (jangajji) and green onion kimchi (pa-kimchi) that go well with eel, and the first plate is set out for you. The eel party finally begins!

With the basic table ready, the meal properly began. Pickles and green onion kimchi, which pair well with eel, come out.

Honestly, what I was most curious about was the eel quality at this price. This is the first plate they set out by default.

A well-stocked self-serve corner

At unlimited places, how the self-serve bar is kept matters. Songrimbok's is better than I expected, with a decent selection and neat upkeep. Basic side dishes and vegetables are tidily laid out, and you take as much as you need.

There's a nice variety of side dishes. They suit both meat and eel, and the wrap vegetables are really fresh.

Domestic freshwater eel, pork belly and chicken neck: the look alone builds anticipation. Pork belly is unlimited too, so it's a good choice for people who find eel alone a bit much. Chicken neck is also on offer, and the lineup is far more generous than I expected.

Each table has sweet eel sauce and salt, so you can enjoy it your own way.

How to grill eel at Songrimbok: time limit and takeout

Songrimbok has instructions on how to grill eel, so it's not hard even on a first visit, and the unlimited time is 2 hours. Takeout is also available.

How you grill eel makes quite a difference in taste. The guidance was good, so even first-timers can manage easily.

The unlimited time is 2 hours, which seems like plenty to eat at a relaxed pace. Takeout is available too, which is useful info if you want to grill eel at home.

Eel like this at this price?! What surprised me most once I started grilling was how thick the eel meat is.

Cook the skin side first, then flip. Just follow the sign and it's not hard.

Cut it into bite-size pieces, then stand them up in a row.

I ordered a bottle of bokbunja wine (Korean black raspberry wine) too.

Eel and bokbunja is always a safe combo.

One cheers, then the real eating show begins. Even with family, the mood just gets better.

Watching it turn golden brown makes my mouth water.

How Songrimbok's eel tastes and the best pairings

The eel at Songrimbok was crispy outside and moist inside, and personally I liked eating it with the pickles best. The green onion kimchi and lettuce wrap combo was good too.

Why do eel restaurants put you in such a good mood? Every time I eat eel, strangely, it feels like I'm having a health tonic meal. Especially when you pick up a piece with that charcoal aroma, the satisfaction is big.

• A golden-grilled piece of eel, crispy outside and moist inside
• Eaten with the pickles, it's clean and not greasy. Personally my favorite combo.
• Wrapped in lettuce it has another charm, and the eel's nutty richness comes alive.
• The sharp flavor of the green onion kimchi cuts the eel's rich oiliness, making it endlessly edible. The moment you eat a piece on top, you instantly get why green onion kimchi is a must at eel restaurants.
• The chewy chicken neck was impressive too, nice to have between rounds of eel.

Just bring one chunk at a time, as much as you'll eat, and grill grill.

Is the 29,900 won eel buffet in Jijok-dong worth it?

Songrimbok's biggest strength was being able to enjoy domestic freshwater eel for ₩29,900 per adult without worry. Honestly, before visiting I had doubts: "What would ₩29,900 unlimited eel be like?"

On top of that, you also get pork belly and chicken neck, so satisfaction for family meals and group dinners should be high. Above all, the place is spacious and pleasant, so I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a group gathering spot. On a day when eel comes to mind and you want to eat your fill without stress, Songrimbok in Jijok-dong, Daejeon is definitely worth a visit.