Magok eel rice bowl date: hitsumabushi for two, ₩76,000 at Kikukawa

I wanted a special meal at Magok's One Grove, so I went to Unagi Yondaime Kikukawa. I usually love eel anyway, but this time I wasn't in the mood for plain grilled eel — I wanted hitsumabushi, served neatly as a full spread. Bottom line: the food was delicious, but honestly the whole experience — atmosphere, service, everything — was so satisfying that I'd recommend this place to anyone looking for a good eel rice bowl spot in Magok's One Grove. It's especially good for a date, a meal with parents, or an important gathering — the kind of day when you want to make a bit more effort than usual.

Where is Kikukawa in Magok's One Grove, and what are the hours?

• 📍 165 Gonghang-daero, Building A 1F, One Grove, Gangseo-gu, Seoul
• ⏰ Daily 10:30–22:00
• 🍴 Last order 20:50
• 🚗 Parking available at One Grove, reservations accepted

It's located inside One Grove, close to Magok Station, so it's pretty easy to get to. Driving there is convenient too, so it seemed like a solid option for anyone looking for an eel restaurant near Magok Station for gatherings.

True to its reputation as a top eel rice bowl spot in Magok's One Grove, the moment I walked in I was struck by how clean and upscale the overall atmosphere felt.

Main hall or private room at Kikukawa: which seating to pick

It's decorated calmly, centered on wood tones, so it doesn't feel too heavy but isn't overly casual either — just the right amount of formality. Above all, the fact that the hall and private rooms are separated seemed great for office dinners or gatherings for people working near Magok Station.

For two people like us, the hall is great for a date, and there are private rooms too, which seem well suited for family gatherings or business meals where you need to talk a bit more quietly.

So I'd recommend it not only as a great eel date spot in One Grove, but also as a great eel gathering spot near Magok Station.

The staff were kind and attentive from start to finish, which made the whole meal feel even better.

Basic hitsumabushi price at Kikukawa: 38,000 won, 76,000 won for two

We ordered two hitsumabushi at 38,000 won each, for a total of 76,000 won.

Hitsumabushi is a Nagoya-style eel rice bowl where finely chopped eel — about two-thirds of a whole eel — is placed over rice and enjoyed in several different ways. Besides the basic hitsumabushi, Kikukawa, a top eel rice bowl spot in Magok's One Grove, offers plenty of options, including ilpum hitsumabushi (with a whole eel), mentaiko hitsumabushi, and unadon.

Given the nature of eel dishes, the price isn't exactly light, but considering the full-course presentation and atmosphere, it felt like a fair choice for a special-occasion meal.

What comes with the hitsumabushi set, and how much eel?

The moment the food arrived, my first thought was, 'Wow, this really feels like a proper meal.'

Instead of just a single eel rice bowl plopped down, it came with soup, side dishes, seaweed, wasabi, scallion, and dashi, all neatly arranged — just looking at it put me in a good mood.

The most important part at a top eel rice bowl spot in Magok's One Grove is, of course, the eel — and even though it's described as two-thirds of a whole eel, I wondered if that would be enough, but it was piled generously on top of the rice.

How strong is the seasoning on Kikukawa's eel?

And something I personally really liked was that the seasoning wasn't too strong. Eel rice bowls can get tiresome fast if the sauce is too sweet or salty, but Kikukawa's hitsumabushi kept the eel's savory flavor front and center with a subtle seasoning, so it was easy to enjoy without feeling weighed down all the way through.

So I think this is a flavor that both die-hard eel lovers and first-time hitsumabushi eaters would enjoy without complaint. And at the end — ochazuke!

Three ways to eat hitsumabushi, finishing with dashi ochazuke

The fun of hitsumabushi is that you get to enjoy one dish in several different ways, right? We started by eating the eel and rice plain, then added wasabi, seaweed and scallion partway through, and finally poured warm dashi over it to eat it like ochazuke (rice soaked in savory broth).

Personally, I really loved finishing it this warm, soupy way. As the eel's savory flavor naturally spread through the broth, the ending felt so much softer and more comforting! It was also great that if we ran low on rice, soup, or side dishes, we could just ask staff for more, so we never felt like anything was lacking from start to finish. After finishing, I didn't feel bloated at all — just full and comfortable, with that 'I ate well today' kind of feeling.

Is Kikukawa at Magok's One Grove worth going back to?

The food was served neatly, the eel portion was satisfying, and combined with the upscale atmosphere and kind service, it's well worth another visit for a slightly special occasion like a birthday, anniversary, or meal with parents.