Saesol-dong eel buffet for a cold after Gungpyeong Port: Songrim

Eel buffet in Saesol-dong for a health boost after Gungpyeong Port

Songrim Bok Jangeo Freshwater Eel All-You-Can-Eat Saesol Direct Branch (송림복장어 민물장어 무한리필 새솔직영점) is a place in Saesol-dong, Hwaseong where you can eat freshwater eel all-you-can-eat. The weather suddenly turned chilly and I felt a cold coming on, so I'd been thinking I should go eat eel to build myself up. Then, on the way back from a trip to Gungpyeong Port, there was an all-you-can-eat eel place, so I stopped in!!

What's in the all-you-can-eat at Songrim Bok Jangeo? The sign and reality differ

The all-you-can-eat here is freshwater eel plus pork belly and chicken neck. I heard you could eat pork belly as well as eel, and since my husband loves pork belly, it seemed like a good fit, so we went.

There was even a banner from the freshwater eel farming fisheries cooperative on display, so I thought, they must be serving genuine domestic eel. Trust level up, up!!

But although the sign under the front gate says eel + duck + pork belly, in reality it was eel + pork belly + chicken neck! Keep that in mind, haha.

Atmosphere and facilities for kids

The restaurant is a nice spacious hall, with disposable aprons and, for customers with little children, high chairs ready too. It was just the two of us adults, but I think thoughtful touches like this are what really impress customers.

At the very back there was a sliding door. It was closed so I couldn't see properly, but I guess it's probably a space for groups. It's best to ask the restaurant about that!!

Drinks from bokbunja to zero-calorie sodas

As you'd expect from an eel place, they sell various alcohol including bokbunja (Korean black raspberry wine), along with a variety of soft drinks. Zero calorie is all the rage these days, and they even had 2 kinds of zero drinks. Full marks to the owner's sense!!

1kg eel takeout and meal dishes too

The special thing here is that it's all-you-can-eat freshwater eel where you can also enjoy pork belly and chicken neck. If eel alone feels like not enough, or if, like us, everyone in the group prefers a different meat, it's really nice to have several options to choose from.

And as a proper eel specialist, they sell takeout in 1kg units, so it's worth considering for a home party or outdoor meals like camping! They also have various meal dishes, so if you live nearby, it would be fine to drop in for a simple lunch.

Refill eel, pork belly and chicken neck yourself at the self-bar

Beyond the basic setup, if you need extra side dishes or eel, pork belly or chicken neck, you just use the self-bar. In the photo, the left is the basic setup and the right is the self-bar.

Since it's all-you-can-eat, if you eat a lot, ordering over and over can feel awkward. Here, all the main items are put on the self-bar for you to take freely, so I think you can eat more comfortably.

Besides the basic side dishes, sesame oil and bowls were all set out so you can also make grilled garlic, which goes really well with pork belly.

How to grill eel well: check the wall guide first

On one wall there's a friendly guide to grilling eel well. To grill the eel nicely, let's get familiar with it first.

How thick is the eel at an all-you-can-eat place?

The freshwater eel stayed plump even after it was fully cooked. Now let's grill it as instructed. With all-you-can-eat places, you tend to worry about food quality first, but do you see how thick that eel is?? It's a bit hidden by smoke, but I'd cooked it well on both sides and lined it up vertically, so it must be fairly well done already, and it's still that thick. So I'd say it's worth recommending as a Saesol-dong favorite, right??

Eel in perilla wraps with ginger strips, finished with pork belly

I wrapped the nicely cooked, plump eel in a perilla leaf with ginger strips on top, and the grilled eel and ginger aroma filling my mouth made me happy all on its own. If only I hadn't brought the car, a glass of bokbunja wine would have made it absolute heaven. It was a regretful moment..haha.

After eating eel for a good while, just as I got a little tired of it, I added pork belly, and my belly was totally packed. It was a perfectly filling and delicious meal. If you're looking for an eel restaurant in Saesol-dong, I recommend visiting Songrim Bok Jangeo Saesol Direct Branch~

Where is the restroom?

The restroom is in the building, separate for men and women, and it was kept reasonably clean. The door code and tissue are kept near the entrance, so be sure to check and take them with you~