Autumn eel BBQ buffet in Seongsu, swapping in duck neck: Songnim Bok

The weather has turned pretty chilly lately, hasn't it?

When it gets like this, I crave something hot and hearty, so this time I went for a proper stamina boost at Songnim Bok Jangeo in Seongsu. Eel is delicious, but it's pricey, so it's hard to eat often. Here you can get unlimited freshwater eel for ₩29,900 per person. And pork belly and duck neck too! As someone who loves both eel and meat, that lineup was really appealing, haha.

Where is Songnim Bok Jangeo in Seongsu, and what are the hours?

The Seongsu Branch is at 148 Seongdeokjeong-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on the first floor, and it's open daily from 11:50 to 23:00.

• Location: 148 Seongdeokjeong-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (1st floor)
• Hours: daily 11:50-23:00

What's the atmosphere like?

The restaurant is less about flashy decor and more about a comfortable place to eat. I felt that ease as soon as I walked in. Since eel is grilled over charcoal, the dining space matters, and sitting around the table grilling and chatting felt great. Because you can have pork belly and duck neck as well as eel, I thought it would also suit groups with different tastes.

How much is the unlimited eel in Seongsu?

Unlimited eel is ₩29,900 per adult, with a separate ₩3,000 table setting fee. The price on the menu board looked very appealing. Yes, the setting fee is extra, but being able to eat good-quality eel as much as you like at this price is a real plus.

Some people worry about quality with unlimited deals, but the ingredients here seemed very well looked after, which earned my trust. Another big plus: there's a self-bar, so you can fetch whatever you run out of without feeling awkward about it.

What else is served besides eel?

The biggest feature here is that it's not only eel: you also get pork belly and chicken neck, haha. If you eat only eel you might get a little tired of it, but with meat mixed in, I could enjoy it deliciously until the end.

With a group, tastes can differ, but even if you come with friends who prefer meat, everyone can be satisfied, which I really liked. The side dishes at the self-bar each went well with the eel, and picking and choosing was a lot of fun.

How does the charcoal-grilled freshwater eel taste?

The freshwater eel is grilled directly over charcoal, slightly crispy outside and tender inside. Finally, time to grill the eel I'd been waiting for! The sizzling sound as it hit the charcoal got my appetite going right away. Eel just tastes best when the surface is grilled golden, right?

The well-grilled eel was slightly crispy outside and soft inside, getting nuttier the more I chewed. Cooking it over charcoal added a distinctive smoky flavor that I loved. I usually like eel, and one or two pieces always leave me wanting more, so being able to order as much extra as I wanted here was great.

Alternating eel, pork belly and duck neck

I liked that after eating plenty of eel, I could grill some pork belly in the middle, then enjoy a different texture with the duck neck. Pork belly has that familiar richness, while duck neck has a distinctive chewiness, so both were good to alternate with the eel.

Even with a favorite food, eating the same thing over and over can get a bit tiresome, right? Grilling other meats alongside made the meal much more varied. Getting so many kinds in one place was definitely satisfying.

Final thoughts on Songnim Bok Jangeo in Seongsu

What stays with me most is being able to eat freshwater eel, pork belly and duck neck all in one go. This visit was a really satisfying choice. Even though I ate until I was stuffed, the cost was easy on the wallet, so I want to come back next time I'm feeling low on energy.

If you're looking for a good eel place in Seongsu, I recommend a hearty, happy meal at Songnim Bok Jangeo~~!!