# Gwangju eel restaurant with a self-serve veggie bar: Deokeun Jangeo - By Haeun Jo (https://superchart.com/en/@yangdong-slow-plate/) - Written Aug 13, 2026 - Local places › Restaurants › Buk-gu, Gwangju - Sponsored: This visit was sponsored by the business. - English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@yangdong-slow-plate/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles/ - Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@yangdong-slow-plate/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles/index.md) ## In short Deokeun Jangeo Main Branch is a charcoal-grilled freshwater eel (pungcheon eel) restaurant in Yangsan-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju, where you pick your own eel, pay at the counter and grill it on the second floor. Arriving before opening on a weekend lunch still meant a one-hour wait, and the meal came with a self-serve vegetable bar, a generous dessert naengmyeon (cold noodles), plus coffee and ice cream; the table setting fee is 4,000 won per adult. Deokeun Jangeo is a solid choice for a hearty meal with parents, and three packs of eel tteokgalbi (grilled patties) came home too. ## Good to know - **Hours**: Daily 11:00–22:00 (last order 20:30) - **Parking**: On-site parking lot available - **Menu**: Freshwater eel (pungcheon eel), eel soup, naengmyeon and more - **Table setting fee**: 4,000 won per adult - **How to order**: Pick your own eel, pay, take a number and sit on the 2nd floor - **Wait**: Arrived before opening at weekend lunch, waited about 1 hour - **Price reference**: ₩4,000 ≈ $2.9 (2026-09-26) *as written by the visitor on Aug 13, 2026* ![Signature photo of grilled eel at Deokeun Jangeo Main Branch in Yangsan-dong, Gwangju](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles-01-1t1tc-900.webp) A well-known eel restaurant in Yangsan-dong, Gwangju — Deokeun Jangeo — for a hearty meal with my parents in Buk-gu, Gwangju. On a weekend afternoon, I went out with my parents for a proper meal, and this time we headed to Deokeun Jangeo. I'd been curious about it for a while, and once I actually visited on the weekend, I understood exactly why so many people come here. Here's my review of this Gwangju eel restaurant, a Yangsan-dong favorite and a well-known spot in Buk-gu, Gwangju, that I visited with my parents. ![Exterior and signage of Deokeun Jangeo Main Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles-02-10zid-900.webp) ## Deokeun Jangeo Main Branch: hours, parking and the 4,000-won table setting - Hours: Daily 11:00–22:00 (last order 20:30) - Parking: On-site parking available - Menu: Freshwater eel (pungcheon eel), eel soup, naengmyeon, and more - Table setting: ₩4,000 per adult - Note: Weekends can mean a wait, so give yourself extra time! ![Parking lot view at Deokeun Jangeo Main Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles-03-1bw1q-900.webp) ![Entrance of Deokeun Jangeo Main Branch with parking guidance](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles-04-243x2-900.webp) The parking lot was spacious and the staff guided us in smoothly, which was great! ![Entrance of Deokeun Jangeo Main Branch on a weekend lunch](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles-05-1a2bi-900.webp) ## Why this Gwangju eel restaurant is full before it even opens We timed our visit for weekend lunch at Deokeun Jangeo Main Branch, and we actually arrived before opening. But guess what — even before opening, there were already a ton of people there. ![Customers waiting before opening](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles-06-b7rgl-879.webp) In the end we waited about an hour, and watching more people keep streaming in the whole time confirmed this is definitely a popular Gwangju eel restaurant. If you've been searching for a Yangsan-dong favorite, this is probably a name you've heard before. Weekends especially can get crowded, so I'd recommend giving yourself some extra time. After that hour of waiting, it was finally our turn! ![Number ticket received after waiting](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles-07-uz2kd-900.webp) We got our number and followed the staff to pick out our eel. ![Tank of freshwater eel for picking your own](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles-08-ovr50-900.webp) ![Inside the eel-picking counter area](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles-09-bhoac-900.webp) ![Prepared eel and the payment area](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles-10-p6huc-900.webp) ## Picking your own eel, then heading up to the second floor At Deokeun Jangeo, you pick your own eel first, then grill it yourselves at the restaurant. After choosing and paying, the table setting fee was ₩4,000 per person. After getting our number, we went up to the 2nd floor and sat at table 22. There were so many people that the inside of the restaurant was pretty lively too. Still, turnover was fast, so we got seated sooner than expected. Seeing this kind of atmosphere, it's clear why this place is a well-known spot in Buk-gu, Gwangju. If you're looking for a Gwangju eel restaurant that's good to visit with parents, this self-grill style eel setup is a fun experience too. ![Table 22 seating on the 2nd floor](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles-11-19nr7-900.webp) Seated at table 22! ![Table set with charcoal grill and basic side dishes](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles-12-81jyp-900.webp) They set up the charcoal grill and the basic side dishes were already laid out! ## The self-serve vegetable bar at Deokeun Jangeo Deokeun Jangeo Main Branch has a self-serve bar where you can grab lettuce, perilla leaves, and other vegetables you need. I was worried about running out mid-meal, but it turned out really convenient. When you're eating eel, wrap vegetables disappear fast, so being able to grab more right away was great. This kind of setup felt convenient for families visiting this Yangsan-dong favorite. Overall you can eat generously here, which is why I want to recommend it to anyone looking for a good spot in Buk-gu, Gwangju. ![Salad plate from the self-serve bar](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles-13-1u6ws-900.webp) *I loaded up on salad, haha.* I loaded up on salad, haha. ## Charcoal-grilled eel, cooked to a golden brown As soon as we sat down, they put the eel on the grill right away. They kept flipping it so it wouldn't burn, cooking it to a nice golden brown. ![Eel on the charcoal grill](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles-14-uy428-900.webp) ![Eel being flipped while grilling](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles-15-hfyxh-900.webp) ![Eel turning golden brown](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles-16-1h0w2-900.webp) ![Close-up of charcoal-grilled eel](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles-17-bcx28-900.webp) Just watching the eel cook on the charcoal already looked delicious. ![Picking up a fully cooked piece of eel](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles-18-1xdlo-1200.webp) I picked up a nicely browned piece and tried it plain first. It had a clean, savory flavor with a subtle smoky note from the charcoal. There really is no better dish than eel for a hearty meal. If you've been looking for a Gwangju eel restaurant to really dig into eel properly, this place fits the bill, and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a weekend family outing among Yangsan-dong favorites. Grilled to an even deeper brown ![Eel wrapped with wild garlic greens](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles-19-4v16g-900.webp) *And my personal favorite — wild garlic (myeong-i) greens!!* And my personal favorite — wild garlic (myeong-i) greens!! Then wrapped it up with various greens After grilling it crispy, took a bite with pickled radish too! Cheers with Dad! ## How big is the dessert naengmyeon (cold noodles)? Despite the name, the dessert naengmyeon (cold noodles) at Deokeun Jangeo Main Branch turned out to be a pretty generous portion. After enjoying the eel, we finished with an order of naengmyeon. ![Dessert naengmyeon ordered at the end of the meal](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles-20-1m9ia-900.webp) ![Generous bowl of naengmyeon](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles-21-1rcwe-900.webp) I expected something small since it was called "dessert" naengmyeon, but the portion was surprisingly generous. It honestly felt like ordering a full-size naengmyeon, so it was plenty for a closing dish. ![Lifting up a bundle of naengmyeon noodles](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles-22-ohs0o-900.webp) After the eel, cooling my palate with the refreshing naengmyeon made for a satisfying finish to the meal. ![Table after finishing the meal](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles-23-194kp-900.webp) ![Dessert area and coffee corner](https://img.superchart.com/images/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles-24-53gql-900.webp) ## Free coffee, ice cream and eel tteokgalbi to take home After the meal, you can have a cup of coffee, and buy ice cream on top of that — dessert fully covered! We also decided to buy some eel tteokgalbi (grilled eel patties) to eat at home, ended up buying 3 packs — and that's a proper hearty meal, complete! ## Verdict: Deokeun Jangeo for a meal with your parents This visit to a Gwangju eel restaurant with my parents was satisfying overall. Seeing how many people showed up on a weekend lunch really drove home why this is such a popular Yangsan-dong favorite. If you love eel, it's worth a visit as a well-known spot in Buk-gu, Gwangju. Next time, I'd like to come with a little less waiting involved. If you're thinking about a weekend family outing or a hearty meal for your parents, keep Deokeun Jangeo in mind as a go-to Gwangju eel restaurant, Yangsan-dong favorite, and Buk-gu, Gwangju spot. ## Where it is - Deokeun Jangeo Main Branch (더큰장어 본점) - 596 Haseo-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju, South Korea - 전남광주통합특별시 북구 하서로 596 1층 - 35.2263164, 126.8839238 - Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EB%8D%94%ED%81%B0%EC%9E%A5%EC%96%B4%20%EB%B3%B8%EC%A0%90/@35.2263164,126.8839238,17z --- Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@yangdong-slow-plate/gwangju-yangsan-dong-eel-open-wait-cold-noodles/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt