Magok eel rice bowl restaurant, two ₩48,000 sets: Kikukawa, Seoul

Hi, this is Oki's Exploration Diary. 🌱 Do you love eel rice bowls? I absolutely love them, and this time I visited one of the most talked-about eel restaurants in Magok's One Grove. 👀 It's called 'Unagi Yondaime Kikukawa One Grove Branch' — a 90-year-old eel specialty restaurant from Nagoya, Japan, founded in 1932, listed in the 2019 Michelin Guide's The Plate. Apparently it's a hitsumabushi (grilled eel rice bowl) restaurant that's been passed down through four generations in Japan. That alone made my expectations shoot up even more, haha. The thought of finding a Michelin-listed spot right here in Magok's One Grove got me excited before I even walked in. 💛 Let's get straight into the real review!

Where is Unagi Yondaime Kikukawa One Grove Branch, and where do you park?

Unagi Yondaime Kikukawa One Grove Branch is located at 165 Gonghang-daero, One Grove Building A, 1F E101, E102, Gangseo-gu, Seoul. It's open daily from 10:30 to 22:00 (last order 20:50), and there's parking within the building.

It's about 347m from Exit 2 of Magok Station. You can use the underground parking at the One Grove building, and parking is validated with a meal, so I didn't have to worry about parking at all.

The entrance on the first floor of One Grove Building A

It's on the 1st floor of One Grove Building A, and the sleek, distinctly Japanese-feeling exterior really stood out to me. 💛💛 I could see the eel motif right from the entrance, so I immediately knew, 'Ah, this is the eel rice bowl place!' haha. Even before stepping inside, I had a feeling today's meal was going to be something special!

Inside Kikukawa: main hall and private rooms

The moment I stepped inside, the elegant interior with its harmony of black and wood tones caught my eye. From the staff uniforms to the overall atmosphere, it was so nice I found myself thinking, 'Wait, am I in Japan?' 😊

The restaurant was spacious and comfortable, and there was also a private room, which I thought would be perfect for gatherings with people who matter to you! It seemed like you could have a really private meal there, so I'd love to book the room next time.

What we ordered: mentaiko hitsumabushi and unagi maguro, 48,000 won each

My friend and I ordered the 'mentaiko hitsumabushi' and the 'unagi maguro-don.'

Each dish was ₩48,000, and honestly, I thought it was a bit pricey at first. But the moment the food arrived, that thought completely disappeared.

The presentation alone was a total pass! 💛 A table full of care and effort unfolded right in front of us.

How to eat mentaiko hitsumabushi in three steps

The key to mentaiko hitsumabushi is enjoying it in three steps. First up, the mentaiko hitsumabushi! The moment I opened the lid, I gasped at the sight of glistening eel and mentaiko (seasoned cod roe) piled high. 💛

Step 1: the first bite, plain

At first (step 1), I tried it plain to taste the eel's natural flavor, and wow, it was so soft and savory it just melted in my mouth.

There was no fishy smell at all, and the seasoning wasn't too salty, so it was completely to my taste. 🤎

Step 2: with gim, wasabi and spring onion

Next (step 2), you add gim (seaweed), wasabi, and jan-pa (chopped green onion), and with those ingredients added, a whole different flavor came through!

Step 3: finishing as ochazuke

The last step (step 3) is pouring in broth to finish it as ochazuke! You pour in the ochazuke broth, and this turned out to be a real delicacy too.

Soaking the rice in the warm broth settled my stomach and seemed to bring out even more of the eel's umami. Personally, this was my favorite part. 😊 With the mentaiko added, the flavor became a savory, umami explosion. 😌😌😌

Unagi maguro: how tuna and eel taste together

Next up, the unagi maguro-don! Tuna and eel together — I was curious what that combination would even taste like.

The moment I took a bite, I was amazed at how fantastically the softness of the tuna and the savory richness of the eel came together. 👍

The eel rice bowl was delicious, but the tuna sashimi was also really high quality, so both dishes were satisfying. Even the Japanese-style pickled side dishes and soup served alongside were all neat and delicious, so I got to enjoy every last spoonful. 😉

Was the 48,000 won eel bowl worth it?

Unagi Yondaime Kikukawa One Grove Branch wasn't just about the delicious eel rice bowls — the thoughtful food, clean space, and friendly service all made it a satisfying experience across the board. 👍 If you're looking for a great eel restaurant in Magok's One Grove, definitely visit Unagi Yondaime Kikukawa One Grove Branch!!! 💛🧡🤎

Who Kikukawa in Magok is best for

• A 90-year-old Nagoya, Japan tradition founded in 1932, listed in the Michelin Guide — a standout eel restaurant in Magok's One Grove
• A special experience eating mentaiko hitsumabushi in three steps, a true delicacy that lets you taste three different flavors from one dish
• Elegant black-and-wood interior with a private room, perfect for dates or family gatherings 💛