Eel buffet lunch for two in Seongsu, Seoul, four eels: Songnim Bok

I was craving eel today, so I remembered an unlimited eel spot in Seongsu I'd seen on Instagram and went with my boyfriend! We were so satisfied that I'm writing this review — let me introduce it right away.

Where Songnim Bok Jangeo Seongsu Branch is and when it opens

• 📍 Location: 148 Seongdeokjeong-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 1st floor
• 🕰️ Hours: Daily 11:50 - 23:00
• ✅ Takeout available
• ✅ Groups welcome

The storefront on Seongdeokjeong-gil

It's a 17-minute walk from Seongsu Station Exit 3, not too far from the main street, so it was easy to grab lunch here before a date around Seongsu!

What is Songnim Bok like at weekday lunch?

I went at lunchtime, and since it was a weekday lunch the place was nice and quiet! I guess eel is usually eaten with drinks in the evening, so lunch doesn't get as crowded.

Every table had a grill plate, and the chairs were handy for storing bags!

Refilling meat at the self-serve bar

The self-serve bar has various plates and side dishes. You just grab the meat here too, unlimited refills!

There was also a guide on the wall for grilling eel just right, so I followed along while cooking! And they mentioned a partner supplier for the eel, so I felt like I could trust what I was eating!

Side dishes and the free bottle of bokbunja wine

At first, the staff brought out all the side dishes! Lettuce, peppers, pickled onion, baek-kimchi (white kimchi), ginger, green onion kimchi, and myeongi-namul (wild garlic leaves) — such a great variety that paired well with the meat!

They brought the meat out first too! Pork belly, freshwater eel, and chicken neck!

And surprisingly, they gave us a bottle of bokbunja (black raspberry) wine! It was 2pm at the time... I hesitated over whether to open it or not...

The staff brought out the fire! The charcoal heat was really strong.

Freshwater eel: four eels between two people

They said to grill the skin side first, so I got right to grilling!

Teriyaki sauce and ssamjang (soybean dipping paste) ready to go!

They cut off the fins with scissors and sliced it into bite-sized pieces lined up in a row — it already looked gorgeous! The eel was plump and impressively full-bodied!

Eel grilled just right for eating!

After going back and forth, we finally decided to open the bokbunja wine... haha, my first daytime drink ever!!!

With teriyaki sauce and ginger on top, one bite!! No fishy smell at all, just plump, savory eel — it was so delicious it hardly felt like an unlimited refill deal!! I think my boyfriend and I ate about four eels together, haha.

Pork belly and chicken neck refills

Then we went straight to the refill bar for pork belly and chicken neck! (Around this point the fire had died down a bit, so I asked and the staff added more charcoal, bringing the heat right back up!)

Honestly, since I thought eel was the main event, I didn't expect much from the pork belly and chicken neck, but as they grilled they looked so appetizing!

The chicken neck was tender, kind of like charcoal-grilled dakgalbi (spicy chicken)?!?! Even kids would love this taste! The pork belly had no bad smell either and was so savory that I was surprised — almost as good as a dedicated pork belly restaurant!

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

I visited because I was craving eel, and since eel is the main dish, it was of course delicious, but the pork belly and chicken neck exceeded my expectations too, so I was really satisfied!! While eating with my boyfriend, I kept thinking, ah, I should've come in the evening for a drink instead. This time we visited for lunch due to scheduling, but next time I'd love to come in the evening and properly enjoy a drink alongside the meal!

• ✅ Great value at ₩29,900 per person
• ✅ Plump domestic freshwater eel
• ✅ Pork belly and chicken tenderloin
• ✅ One bottle of bokbunja wine on the house

That wraps up my very satisfying review of Songnim Bok Jangeo Unlimited Freshwater Eel Seongsu Branch!