No-wait weekday eel buffet in Gojan-dong, Ansan: Songnim Bok

Eel is what you reach for when you want a stamina boost, but the price means you can't eat it very often, right? This time I visited Songnim Bok Jangeo Freshwater Eel All-You-Can-Eat, a well-known all-you-can-eat eel spot in Gojan-dong. Not only can you eat as much freshwater eel as you like, you can also grill pork belly and chicken neck over the charcoal alongside it, so I was really happy with the place.

Where is Songnim Bok Ansan City Hall Direct Store, and what about parking?

Songnim Bok is in a building near Ansan City Hall. You can use the building's parking lot, and it offers 2 hours of free parking.

It's near Ansan City Hall, so it wasn't hard to find and was easy to reach by car. Best of all, the 2 hours of free parking let me enjoy the meal without rushing. It should be no stress for long sit-down meals like team dinners or family outings. For anyone looking for an eel restaurant near Ansan City Hall, the location is really good!

Why recommend Songnim Bok for a team dinner in Gojan-dong?

The Ansan City Hall Direct Store is spacious and the tables are set well apart, so it suits group dinners. Inside it was much bigger than I expected, the tables weren't cramped, and everything was kept neat and clean. It looked good for big groups, and I saw a team having a company dinner. The staff guided us kindly, and I was impressed by how the owner kept checking on customers.

The self-serve corner: eel, pork belly and chicken neck

A self-serve zone where you bring food to your table yourself!

The self-serve corner at Songnim Bok has eel, pork belly and chicken neck ready for you to take. The eel was in very good condition, and since it's prepared fresh each day, the freshness was top-notch. Pork belly grilled over charcoal is the best! The chicken neck was fresh too. No gamey smell at all, so grilling and eating it was satisfying!

Free bokbunja wine on every table

And the best part: every table gets free bokbunja (Korean black raspberry wine) as a service. It's really nice for a drink with the eel. With a perk like this, I understood why so many people pick it as a Gojan-dong team dinner spot.

How thick and good is the all-you-can-eat freshwater eel?

Songnim Bok's biggest strength is, of course, that it's a top all-you-can-eat eel spot in Gojan-dong. I figured the eel's size and quality would be disappointing because it's all-you-can-eat, but not at all.

The thickness alone was quite satisfying. The flesh was plump and served in a fresh state, so I was excited even before grilling. Just watching it turn golden over the charcoal made my mouth water!

Eel tastes even better grilled over charcoal

Slowly grilled over charcoal, Songnim Bok's freshwater eel took on a subtle smoky aroma and tasted even better.

Golden outside and moist inside, the texture was really good. Above all, the flesh was thick and fun to chew, and I barely noticed any fishy taste.

The rich, nutty flavor was alive, so even a light dip in salt was plenty tasty. You keep reaching for another piece, and I immediately understood why it's so often recommended as an eel restaurant near Ansan City Hall!!

Besides eel, can you grill pork belly and chicken neck too?

At Songnim Bok you can grill pork belly and chicken neck over charcoal along with the freshwater eel. What I personally liked a lot was that it isn't a place that only serves eel. With variety, I'd have a piece of eel, then a piece of pork belly, then chicken neck, so I never got tired of it and enjoyed the meal to the end.

The meats were fresh with no gamey smell, and the charcoal aroma made them even better. I thought it's a really good lineup for visiting with family or friends who have different tastes.

When it gets greasy: spicy ramyeon with a runny egg

Right when things felt a little greasy, I ordered Songnim Bok's spicy ramyeon (eolkeun ramyeon)! A hot, tangy ramyeon with a runny egg and chili powder, with a chewy noodle texture that's the best, T_T. This place is a ramyeon spot too.

Songnim Bok's service and overall verdict

The Ansan City Hall Direct Store was good not only for the food but for the service. The owner kept checking whether we needed anything and the staff were kind, so we could eat comfortably. Little things like that seem to be reasons to come back. The place is also kept pleasant, so I think it would be well liked for team dinners or family gatherings.

• ✔ Thick all-you-can-eat freshwater eel
• ✔ Charcoal grilling with pork belly and chicken neck too
• ✔ Spacious, pleasant interior
• ✔ 2 hours of free parking
• ✔ Free bokbunja wine on every table
• ✔ Kind owner and staff

If you love eel, I think you'll be really satisfied. Even though it's all-you-can-eat, the eel quality was good, and the fun of grilling it yourself over charcoal made mealtime even more enjoyable. Next time I'd like to come back with my family.

Is there a wait at Songnim Bok in Gojan-dong?

When I visited on a weekday evening, we could be seated right away. Customers kept coming in as mealtime went on, so on weekends it might be a good idea to arrive a bit early.

Is parking available at Songnim Bok?

Yes. You can use the building's parking lot, with 2 hours of free parking. Visiting by car was easy.

Can Songnim Bok handle a group dinner?

The Ansan City Hall Direct Store is spacious with lots of tables, so it's a good place for team dinners, family gatherings and group meals.

On a day when you want to eat eel until you're full, this place is well worth it. I left feeling nourished and happy after a hearty meal :)