Mapo eel restaurant lunch with hitsumabushi: Ryeok Minmul Jangeogui

The scorching heat that was raging only a few days ago has retreated as if it had never happened, and proper autumn weather is already here. The cool breeze makes life feel much more bearable, but I could still feel how thoroughly the brutal summer heat had drained my energy.

At times like this, it is essential to restore your strength with a proper nourishing meal. So, to have a truly restorative lunch with an acquaintance for once, I visited the eel specialty restaurant Ryeok Minmul Jangeogui Jeonmunjeom (력 민물장어구이전문점) near Sangam-dong DMC.

What is the restaurant like near Digital Media City Station?

The address is 37 Seongam-ro 15-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea (서울 마포구 성암로15길 37 1층), within walking distance of Digital Media City (DMC) Station.

Being close to Digital Media City Station makes it very convenient to visit by public transport. Once you head into the alley, the clean white sign with a large “Ryeok (力)” immediately catches your eye. A cute Superman figurine and a standing sign for the lunch special welcome you at the entrance, so it was easy to find.

Inside, there was a comfortable space with excellent ventilation. Clean exhaust hoods were connected to every table, and the tables were generously spaced, making it seem just as suitable for a lunch meal as for a family dinner or gathering.

How I ordered the premium eel rice bowl

This place is known for using only domestic Grade 1 Japanese eel. They say that because they serve only fresh eel caught and prepared on the same day, you can enjoy its springy, savory texture without any fishiness.

The menu had plenty to offer beyond the signature salt-grilled, soy sauce-grilled, and spicy sauce-grilled eel, including wild sea eel, Baengnyeongdo crab marinated in soy sauce, and grilled deodeok root. For a neat, generous lunch, I used the table tablet to order the premium eel rice bowl (hitsumabushi, a Japanese-style eel rice bowl served in stages).

A beautifully arranged premium eel rice bowl set

Before long, the premium eel rice bowl set arrived, and I could not help but exclaim when I saw it. The neat, charming Japanese-style tray was full of the main eel rice bowl and a range of thoughtful side dishes. The main bowl was packed with golden, glossy grilled freshwater eel over rice, topped with a single young ginseng root—visually, it was the very definition of nourishing food.

Gentle Japanese-style side dishes

It was a substantial spread: steamed egg (chawanmushi), rich and nutty seaweed soup, a refreshing salad, chopped gat pickles and kkakdugi cubed radish kimchi, plus pickled cherry tomatoes, a brownie, and Yakult for dessert.

I tried a piece of eel first. It was golden on the outside, while the inside remained moist and pleasantly chewy. The house sauce was not overly sweet either; its deep umami heightened the eel’s naturally clean, savory flavor.

Four ways to enjoy hitsumabushi

Using the table guide, “How to enjoy the premium eel rice bowl,” I tried it in several different ways.

• Step 1 (enjoy it as is): Divide the bowl into four with the rice paddle, then serve yourself one quarter and take in the deep, natural flavor of the eel and rice.
• Step 2 (mix it up): Top the next quarter with chopped gat pickles, wasabi, or scallions, then mix it for a crisp, spicy kick.
• Step 3 (make ochazuke): Pour enough of the prepared warm ochazuke broth over another quarter to moisten it, then gently enjoy it with seaweed flakes.
• Step 4 (finish with your favorite): Finish the final quarter with whichever combination from the earlier steps suited your palate best.

Each method had a completely different texture and flavor, so I was able to finish the meal very happily without a dull moment until the last bite. The cherry tomatoes pickled with maesil plum syrup, which refreshed the palate throughout the meal, were especially memorable.

Why I recommend it for a Sangam DMC lunch

This lunch was a moment that properly breathed new energy into a tiring daily routine. From the excellent quality of fresh domestic Japanese eel prepared the same day to the neat set meal that made me feel looked after, and the kind service, nothing felt lacking.

If you want to restore a sluggish body in autumn, or are looking near Sangam DMC for a neat, more formal meal or a place to gather, I confidently recommend Ryeok Minmul Jangeogui Jeonmunjeom! Intention to revisit: 200% (Next time, I am definitely coming back to try the golden salt-grilled eel and spicy sauce-grilled eel too.)