Gangseo Japanese restaurant mentaiko hitsumabushi: Kikukawa

Actually, this is the place my wife, Hamin, and I first came to together and completely fell for. While eating hitsumabushi (grilled eel over rice), I said, “Next time, we have to try the mentaiko version~” This time, Hamin and I came back on our own to keep that promise :) If you’re looking for a great eel rice bowl in Magok’s One Grove, where else would you go? haha

Where Unagi Yondaime Kikukawa One Grove Branch is located

It’s on the first floor of One Grove Building A, so it’s perfect for popping into on the way to Magok E-Mart Traders. There’s also a separate outside entrance, which makes it really accessible :)

Why I came back with my son

Ever since our first visit, I couldn’t get out of my head that comment I made while eating hitsumabushi: “They have a mentaiko version here too—next time, definitely…” haha This time, it was a quiet father-and-son lunch date with Hamin! Maybe he remembered this place too, because he came in happily saying, “Dad, this place was delicious, right~” haha

Warm wood-toned interior and visiting with a child

As soon as you walk in, the wood-toned interior and soft lighting give you a calm welcome. It has that feeling of, “We’re really going to eat well today,” you know? :)

There are private rooms and high chairs ready too, so there’s absolutely no pressure about visiting with a child.

The staff welcomed us so kindly again this time. I was especially happy to be back, and the service was just as attentive as it had been on our first visit. I think places like this are the ones that stay great for a long time 😊

It’s an open kitchen, so you can watch the eel being grilled right in front of you!

Mentaiko Premium Hitsumabushi and complimentary umaki

This time, I ordered the Mentaiko Premium Hitsumabushi that I’d had my eye on since our first visit! We sat down after ordering, and Hamin was already getting excited haha

Umaki: 2 pieces of eel omelet

Actually, we didn’t order this! They said, “You’re here with a child,” and brought it out for us as a complimentary dish 😭

There are whole pieces of eel tucked inside the fluffy rolled omelet. With one bite, the softness of the egg comes first, then the savory umami of grilled eel bursts out from inside. Hamin tried this first, then his eyes went wide as he said, “Dad, this is so delicious.” haha I was touched by such thoughtful care just because we’d come with a childㅠㅠ

Mentaiko Premium Hitsumabushi ₩60,000

Finally, the main event of the day! I was already excited from the moment it arrived with its wooden lid on. You know that anticipation right before you lift the lid~ haha

The moment I opened it, I froze for a second at the sight of a whole eel laid across the top. The mentaiko was placed gently over it too, and honestly, this combination was so much better than I expected.

The rich, lightly salty mentaiko meets the sweet eel tare sauce, and it feels like the umami doubles.

Three delicious ways to eat hitsumabushi

Step 1: One bowl as it is

The eel, mentaiko, and tare sauce are more than enough on their own. The seasoning leans a little salty, but with the rice, it’s just right.

Step 2: Add yakumi condiments

Adding nori seaweed, wasabi, and green onion changes the flavor completely. I really, really recommend this combination!

Step 3: Finish as ochazuke

Pour in the katsuobushi bonito broth and it becomes a completely different dish as the broth soaks through. It’s my wife’s and my favorite way to eat it, and this time Hamin said, “This is the best!” haha The flesh was soft without a single tiny bone, while the outside was grilled crisp and crunchy—truly an ideal eel rice bowl for anyone who loves that crispy texture.

Pros and cons from a return visit

• An overwhelmingly beautiful presentation for an eel rice bowl
• Crispy exterior and tender flesh, with no tiny bones
• Extra umami from the mentaiko pairing
• The fun of enjoying hitsumabushi in three different ways
• Truly kind staff service
• At ₩60,000, the mentaiko hitsumabushi is on the pricey side
• It’s popular, so reservations are needed during peak hours

I recommend it for anyone looking for a great eel rice bowl at Magok One Grove, a family dining spot to visit with children, or a proper meal for a special day :)

One-line verdict on our father-and-son lunch date

Once again, it was a return visit that didn’t disappoint. From Hamin’s eyes going wide at the complimentary umaki, to lifting the lid on the mentaiko hitsumabushi, to the two of us saying, “This is really delicious,” as we finished with ochazuke—it was the perfect special meal for a day out, just father and son :) Next time, I’ll bring my wife too so we can have the mentaiko version together haha