Eel BBQ restaurant in Cheongna: window-seat lunch for two, Songrimbok

It was a lovely day and I wanted something hearty, and an acquaintance had been strongly recommending a lunch spot in Cheongna, so the two of us went.

The place is Songrimbok Jangeo Freshwater Eel Unlimited Refill Cheongna Direct Branch, and these days it seems to be the name that always comes up when you talk about eel in Cheongna. If you love eel but never quite dared to go because of the price, you'll be really glad a place like this exists.

Where is Songrimbok Cheongna, and what are the hours and parking?

Songrimbok Jangeo Freshwater Eel Unlimited Refill Cheongna Direct Branch is at 78 Keuriseutal-ro, Seo-gu, Incheon, inside the Elim Zone building on the main road by Cheongna Lake Park. It is open every day of the year from 11:50 AM to 11:00 PM with no break time.

• Address: 78 Keuriseutal-ro, Seo-gu, Incheon (Cheongna-dong 152-14)
• Hours: 11:50 AM to 11:00 PM (no break time, open every day of the year)
• Parking: large lot on basement levels 1 to 3 of the building, up to 2 hours free

No break time and open every day, so it's really easy to time your visit for lunch.

The parking space is roomy too, so even a beginner driver can park without stress. The building itself is quite big, so there's no chance of getting confused on a first visit.

How much is the unlimited eel at Songrimbok Cheongna?

The unlimited refill at Songrimbok Cheongna is ₩29,900 per adult, and with the ₩3,000 table setting fee it comes to ₩32,900 per person. Honestly, the price was the first thing that caught my eye.

Eel is such an expensive ingredient that eating it out can feel like a burden, right? But with unlimited refills at this price, the two of us chose it without a second thought.

What does the Songrimbok unlimited refill include?

The basic refill covers three things: freshwater eel, pork belly and duck neck. It's not just eel, so it's a great place to come even if someone in your group isn't keen on eel.

You can also order eel soup, yukgaejang (spicy beef soup) and buckwheat makguksu (cold noodles, in broth or spicy mixed) as single items, which suits anyone who wants to finish the grill with something warm and brothy.

Grilling Songrimbok's freshwater eel ourselves: how was it?

We brought a mix of freshwater eel body and tail cuts and grilled them ourselves. The texture differs subtly from cut to cut, so it was fun to alternate between them.

Grilling it yourself might make you wonder at first how to do it, but it's not as hard as it sounds. Just keep the heat moderate and flip it back and forth, and it cooks up slightly crispy outside and moist inside.

Adding pork belly and duck neck to an eel lunch for two

The two of us brought as much eel as we wanted and added pork belly, and it was more than enough to leave us full.

Partway through I went back for duck neck once more, and putting it on the grill next to the eel meant there was no waiting around between bites.

With all-you-can-eat you might worry about the quality of the meat, but it felt reasonably fresh and well kept, which put my mind at ease.

Can you see Cheongna Lake Park from the window seats?

Songrimbok Cheongna sits on the main road by Cheongna Lake Park, so if you take a window seat you can see a little of the park.

The smell of grilling meat and the green outside go oddly well together, haha. A stroll through the nearby park after lunch makes a perfect outing.

Is Songrimbok Cheongna good for family meals and groups?

The restaurant is fairly large at around 55 pyeong, with generous spacing between tables, and group seating can be reserved, so it works well for family meals or small get-togethers. It seems to hold a decent crowd even on weekends, and I noticed lots of families.

Why Songrimbok is a good eel lunch in Cheongna

If you're still looking for a lunch spot in Cheongna, Songrimbok Jangeo Freshwater Eel Unlimited Refill Cheongna Direct Branch is worth a visit.

The clear plus is eating your fill of eel without worrying about the price, and with no break time and lunch service, the timing is easy too. On a day when you crave something stamina-boosting near Cheongna, this is the place that will naturally come to mind.