Incheon eel buffet with eel soup lunch & takeout: Songrim Bokjangeo

What is Songrim Bokjangeo Inha Univ. Hakik-dong branch like?

Songrim Bokjangeo (송림복장어) Inha Univ. Hakik-dong branch is an all-you-can-eat eel restaurant that opened on September 19 in Hakik-dong, Incheon. I hadn't had a proper pile of tasty eel in a while, so I visited this brand-new spot. *. ε(´•᎑•`)っ♡ I heard you can refill not just eel but also pork belly and chicken neck, so I went in with high hopes.

Location and parking in Hakik-dong

The restaurant is in Hakik-dong, a handy spot for a meal near Inha University. There is a separate parking lot behind the shop. Just search "송림복장어 인하대학익동점" in your navigation app and it will take you straight to the lot ｡ﾟﾉ

They say they only use live, Korean-raised freshwater eel (Japonica). And they opened just last month, on September 19!

Inside the restaurant: good for family meals and group dinners?

As you'd expect from a new place, it's spacious and comfortable ✨ One side has a separate area for groups, so it works for family outings and also for anyone looking for a company dinner spot in Hakik-dong (* ॑꒳ ॑* )⋆* High chairs are fully provided too.

How the self-serve bar works

Side dishes are at the self-serve bar, and you can take as much as you like. You get a first table setting brought to you, and after that the eel, meat and side dishes are all self-service. ₍₍ (ง* ॑꒳ ॑*)ว ⁾⁾

They say the eel is prepared at dawn every morning at the fisheries cooperative's direct-sales market, and that's what goes into the all-you-can-eat. The staff keep trimming eel and refilling the counter nonstop ( 'ω' و(و “

How much is the all-you-can-eat eel at Songrim Bokjangeo?

The freshwater eel buffet is ₩29,900 per adult, plus a separate ₩3,000 table setting fee. Children are ₩14,000 with no table setting fee.

Lunch meals and takeout trimmed eel

There are also meal dishes like eel soup and buckwheat noodles (makguksu), which pair perfectly with eel~ At lunchtime you can order the meal menu on its own, so it seems great for a bowl of eel soup with rice.

Takeout is ₩35,000 for 650g after trimming from 1kg. Taking trimmed eel along on a camping or travel trip would be an easy way to enjoy it ◝(⁰▿<)

Tella's order

• Adult all-you-can-eat ₩29,900
• Table setting fee ₩3,000 × 2 people
• Total ₩65,800

Once you sit down, they bring over the charcoal. I was about to really enjoy eel over the coals. My heart was pounding (ﾉﾞ⌯'⌄'⌯)ﾉﾞ*

What comes with the first table setting

The first table setting comes with a plate of eel, plus sauce, perilla leaves, scallion kimchi, pickled onions and white kimchi to eat it with. After that, you use the self-serve bar for everything.

Is the all-you-can-eat eel any good?

The charcoal-grilled eel turned golden on the outside with a faint smoky aroma, which made it even tastier. ദ്ദി ՞• ·̫ •՞ ꒱ With a buffet you might worry about quality, but there was no fishy smell at all, and I could see and taste how fresh the eel was. That nutty, mild flavor unique to eel was having a party in my mouth~

Pork belly and chicken neck refills, and the best way to eat eel

If you eat only eel you may start craving other meat, and Songrim Bokjangeo also lets you refill pork belly and chicken neck.

As always, eel is best eaten with pickled perilla leaf and ginger sauce mixed in! ʕ⸝⸝•ﻌ•⸝⸝ʔ♡

Overall verdict on Songrim Bokjangeo Inha Univ. Hakik-dong branch

Eel is not a cheap food, so eating plenty can feel like a burden. The strength of this place is that for a fixed price you can eat as much good, fresh eel as you like. You also get pork belly and chicken neck, and with a group area and parking it seems good for family meals or company dinners ❤️

Tella's go-again spot! With buffets you can worry about eel quality, but at Songrim Bokjangeo there's no need to worry ⸜( *ˊᵕˋ* )⸝ It's a place I'll think of again on days I want a generous eel feast. If you're looking for a great-value all-you-can-eat eel restaurant, I recommend Songrim Bokjangeo ❤️