Sangam Korean restaurant: summer freshwater eel pot rice at Solsot

This time I went to Solsot Sangam Branch (솔솥 상암점), a Sangam lunch spot near Digital Media City Station (DMC). I wanted a neat Korean pot rice (solbap) meal, and I ended up enjoying the summer stamina eel pot rice so much, haha, that I had to write a review. If you're looking for a good lunch or Korean restaurant around Sangam-dong DMC, or you're craving tidy pot rice, pay attention! Here's my review of a hearty summer eel pot rice meal. Let's go 😉

Where is Solsot Sangam Branch, and what about parking and hours?

Solsot Sangam Branch is at 75 Maebongsan-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, B1 Floor, Unit 101, a 10-minute walk from Exit 9 of Digital Media City Station or Exit 1 of Susaek Station. If you drive, you get 30 minutes of free parking in the building plus a 30-minute parking coupon with a meal in the restaurant, so 1 hour free in total.

• Hours: daily 11:00-21:00 (last order 20:30)
• Break time: 16:00-17:00

Why I came back to Solsot Sangam Branch for a Sangam DMC lunch

Whenever I want a hearty lunch in Sangam DMC, Solsot Sangam Branch is the place that comes to mind. It's in the DDMC basement, so it's easy to get to, and at lunchtime it's packed with Sangam office workers.

I'd eaten here before and loved it, which is why I came back. This time I came for the freshwater eel pot rice, perfect as a summer stamina food 😊

The moment I stepped in, the clean look and calm wooden interior felt comfortable. I came after the lunch rush this time, so it looks empty, but on my last visit every seat was full and I remember thinking, "This place must be good."

Solsot Sangam Branch menu and how to eat the pot rice

As a pot rice specialist, Solsot has a really varied menu. The three recommended dishes are steak pot rice, sea bream scallop pot rice, and the freshwater eel pot rice that's popular as summer stamina food. There's also salmon, abalone, boneless hairtail, pork with bracken, and lobster shrimp pot rice, so you can pick to your taste, which I liked.

For Solsot pot rice, you first mix the rice and toppings well and scoop some onto your small plate, then pour in warm water to enjoy scorched rice tea (nurungji), which makes the meal feel even more complete.

How was the freshwater eel pot rice (₩25,000)?

The freshwater eel pot rice at Solsot Sangam Branch is ₩25,000, and we both ordered it. The moment I lifted the lid, the rich aroma of eel spread and really whetted my appetite. A whole big eel sat on top, and the glossy, dripping look was already a work of art 😆

There was no fishy smell typical of eel, and the soft, chewy texture was all there.

Say ahh~ 🤭 The sweet seasoning had soaked right into the rice, so the more I ate, the more I kept reaching for another spoonful.

Finishing every bit down to the last scorched rice tea warmed me through, and it was a really hearty meal.

Why people look for freshwater eel in summer

From what the writer looked up, freshwater eel has long been known as a classic stamina food, rich in protein and containing vitamin A and vitamin E, said to help with regaining strength and recovering from fatigue. It also contains unsaturated fatty acids, so it's often eaten as a nourishing meal. When you have no appetite in the sweltering summer, it's a dish that restores your energy too, so I can see why it's so popular as summer stamina food 🤗

How does it compare with the sea bream scallop pot rice from last time?

I actually ate the sea bream scallop pot rice at Solsot Sangam Branch before, and I was really satisfied then too. The combination of mild sea bream and chewy scallop was clean and easy to enjoy, while the eel pot rice from this revisit won me over with a different, more filling charm. I'm now curious about every item, to the point that I want to try the steak pot rice or abalone pot rice next 😊

Who I'd recommend Solsot Sangam Branch to

I was so full and happy. On top of the taste, the food is neat and comes out quickly, so I'd recommend Solsot Sangam Branch as a lunch spot for DMC Sangam office workers 🤗 It was a meal that let me power through the afternoon's work, and the taste and atmosphere would satisfy you even with family.

If you need a summer boost or want a tasty lunch in Sangam DMC, how about the freshwater eel pot rice at Solsot Sangam Branch? I plan to revisit next time for another pot rice dish, haha.

It's. so. de-li-cious.