Seolleung Station eel restaurant: dinner-only eel nabe & udon, Manmok

When you think of eel, it's usually grilled eel or an eel rice bowl! But... have you ever had eel nabe (hot pot)?

I usually go for grilled eel or an eel rice bowl too, but this time I tried eel nabe for the first time, a dinner-only menu item at Manmok (만목) near Seolleung Station!

Eel in a hot pot..? I thought it might taste weird, but surprisingly it suited my taste better than grilled eel or eel rice bowls, and it was delicious! The atmosphere is quiet too, so I'd recommend it for small company dinners in Gangnam!

Manmok near Seolleung Station: location, hours and parking

Manmok is at 9 Seolleung-ro 82-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (1st floor), open daily 11:00–22:00. Naver Reservation, group bookings, free corkage and free parking in front of the restaurant are all available.

• Address: 9 Seolleung-ro 82-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (1st floor)
• Hours: daily 11:00 - 22:00
• Break time: 15:00 - 17:00
• Last order: 14:20, 21:20
• Naver Reservation and group bookings available
• Free corkage
• Free parking in front of the restaurant

Manmok is about a 3–4 minute walk from Seolleung Station Exit 2. Turn into the alley off the main road and you'll see a building with a wood interior, so it's easy to find! Free parking is available, but only about 2 cars fit in front, so it's not exactly roomy. If you're driving, I'd suggest asking about availability when you book!

Is Manmok good for a small team dinner?

Inside, Manmok has a calm, tidy interior using natural wood, matching the exterior. The tables aren't cramped, and there are seats for groups as well as bar seats that work well if you're dining alone~

It isn't loud or crowded, so you can chat comfortably over your meal. It's good for work dinners or for visiting with your parents!

Manmok menu: do you need to book the eel nabe?

Manmok's menu is eel-centered: grilled eel, eel rice bowls and eel nabe! Special dishes like eel nabe often need to be reserved in advance, but at Manmok you can order it without a reservation!

So we walked in without a reservation and ordered the eel nabe right away! They started by setting out the side dishes, and they were neatly done too, haha

How does Manmok's 69,000 won special eel nabe taste?

Manmok's special eel nabe is ₩69,000, a broth dish with big pieces of eel. It's easy to share among several people, so it suits a dinner gathering or company meal!

The special eel nabe is a dinner-only item, so if you've set your heart on it, I'd recommend reserving ahead~!!

It comes in a big pot with thick eel and vegetables. The eel is already cut into thick, bite-sized pieces, so you don't need to cut anything. Once it boils, eat the vegetables first, then fish out the eel!

The broth is really rich, and the side with eel tastes different from the side without!! As the eel flavor seeps in, the depth of the broth really comes alive!

The eel was big and easy to pick up piece by piece with chopsticks. Even after simmering, the flesh doesn't fall apart or turn dry; it stays tender!

Eel is naturally fatty, so I wondered if it would be greasy and heavy, but with the warm broth and vegetables, the eel keeps its nutty richness while being easier to eat!

The broth is rich and deep with eel flavor, yet it isn't overly salty or just oily, so it feels a bit healthier!

Each sauce changes the taste, so trying them one by one is fun too!

When should you add udon noodles to the eel nabe?

Manmok's udon noodles come half-cooked, so they'd go mushy if you add them at the start. I'd recommend ordering them partway through the nabe. After a spoonful of the hot broth I thought, I should add udon, so we ordered them in the middle too!

They were more like ramen noodles than udon, actually? Since they arrive half-cooked, just drop them in the broth, boil about 2 minutes, and eat right away!

Special eel nabe portion and price: enough for two?

Manmok's special eel nabe is plenty for two people sharing as a main dish. Slowly working through the eel, vegetables, broth and noodles, you're full even without a separate bowl of rice, and it's a great pick for a chilly evening~

Going by price alone, it's not a light dinner, but the eel is big and premium, with no bones and no fishy taste, and the quality is really good. It feels like a high-end dish in your mouth, so no regrets!!!

Manmok dessert: hojicha and matcha ice cream

Manmok serves ice cream as dessert after the meal: one hojicha (roasted green tea) and one matcha! With dessert included, the palate cleanser is perfect, right? haha

If you're looking for a place near Seolleung Station for a small company dinner, a group evening or a meal with your parents, give Manmok in Gangnam a visit!