Gwangju eel BBQ, 748g for ₩38,590 & scallion kimchi: Deokeun Jangeo

Looking for a great grilled eel restaurant in Gwangju?

It had been a while, so we went for some grilled eel to restore our energy, haha. This time we visited Deokeun Jangeo Main Branch (더큰장어 본점) in Yangsan-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju.

Eel is delicious, but the price makes it hard to eat often. What I liked about Deokeun Jangeo Main Branch is that you pick the eel yourself and grill it over charcoal at your table, so you can check the price and amount before choosing. The eel was plump and had a lovely nutty flavor off the charcoal, so it seemed good for a family meal or for taking your parents. I'll walk you through parking, the interior and my grilled eel review!

Where is Deokeun Jangeo Main Branch, and what about parking?

Deokeun Jangeo Main Branch is on the first floor of a new building at 596 Haseo-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju, next to Honam Regional Rehabilitation Hospital. It is open daily 11:00–22:00, with last order at 20:30.

What caught my eye first when we arrived was the big brick building.

A large pungcheon eel (풍천장어, wild-style river eel) sign is on the outer wall, so it's easy to spot from far away. And the parking lot is seriously huge!

Families often come for grilled eel, so plenty of parking makes it easy to drive here. There was still room when we visited, and the parking spaces were neatly marked. If you want a convenient place to park among Buk-gu restaurants in Gwangju, this is quite a big plus. The building is large too, so even as first-timers we had no trouble finding it.

Seating and atmosphere inside

Inside is a wide hall with long rows of tables, and every table has a charcoal grill and a smoke hood. It was much bigger than I expected, and there are a lot of seats.

Near the entrance there was even a table-number and layout chart. Overall it felt clean, with wood-tone tables and bright lighting. Each table has a charcoal grill for cooking the eel yourself, with a hood above to pull away the smoke. Grilled eel can get smoky, so I was glad every table has a hood. With so many seats, it also looked fine for group gatherings as well as family meals.

There is a self-service area on one side too.

It has a microwave, a water purifier and even a coffee machine. Being able to grab a cup of coffee after the meal was a small thing I liked, haha.

How much was the eel at Deokeun Jangeo?

The domestic prepped eel we picked at Deokeun Jangeo Main Branch was ₩5,160 per 100g, ₩38,590 for 748g in total. You choose the eel yourself, so we could see the packages directly, and I liked that origin, weight and price were printed on each one.

The price changes with weight, so you can choose to match the amount you want and your budget. Eel is usually one of the pricier things to eat out, so being able to pick by actual weight and price took the pressure off.

Takeout discounts too

Outside the restaurant there was also a notice for a 5% discount on pre-grilled takeout and 10% on prepped takeout. If you plan to take it home, it's worth checking.

Basic side dishes

The basic side dishes included napa cabbage kimchi, scallion kimchi, onion strips, pickled sides, ginger strips, garlic, ssamjang (dipping paste) and more.

They go well with eel, so the moment I saw the spread I felt ready for a proper feast, haha. If you love ginger with your eel, you'll be happy here.

Charcoal-grilled eel: taste and best combinations

The charcoal-grilled eel was golden and nutty outside and tender inside, with thick flesh that had a satisfying chew. Finally, the grilled eel I'd been waiting for! Even before opening the package, the eel looked quite big and I was excited.

The prepped eel was laid out long and the flesh looked plump. Once the charcoal was set on the table and the eel went onto the grill, it really felt like eating grilled eel. Watching it cook over the charcoal was fun too.

As the skin side turned golden and the flesh cooked, a nutty aroma rose up. Cut into bite-size pieces, the eel got an appetizing grilled color on the surface. Personally I like eel grilled golden outside rather than undercooked, and over charcoal it came out nutty outside and tender inside, which I loved. The flesh was thick enough to have a nice chew too.

First I ate it plain to taste the eel itself. It was mild and nutty, and really good. Next I had it with ginger strips and onion strips, and it definitely left my mouth feeling fresh.

The ginger cut the eel's rich oiliness, so it was easy to keep eating. I'd also recommend eating it with scallion kimchi. The slightly spicy scallion kimchi paired well with the nutty eel, and I kept alternating between them, haha.

The eel soup is memorable too

The eel soup (jangeo-tang) had a thick, reddish broth with vegetables, and having it alongside the grilled eel made the meal feel more filling. Taking a spoonful of warm broth between bites of charcoal-grilled eel made a nice combination.

Is Deokeun Jangeo Main Branch good for a family meal?

The best thing about Deokeun Jangeo Main Branch is that you can see the eel and pick exactly as much as you want. When you go for eel, taste matters, but it's disappointing if the portion is small, right?

The big parking lot and dining hall, the charcoal-grilled eel and the variety of side dishes made it a satisfying meal overall. If you're looking for an eel restaurant in Gwangju, or a family dining spot in Yangsan-dong, give Deokeun Jangeo Main Branch a try. Eel is a great way to restore energy with your parents, so it could work for a special-occasion meal too. We'd like to come back next time we crave eel. :)