Charcoal-grilled eel set in Nowon, Seoul: Cheonsanga Jangeoga

It had been such a long time since I last went out for eel. I do have an eel place I usually go to, but it is pretty pricey and a bit far away, so I could not visit often. Then I recently found a new spot with good prices, tasty food, and a convenient location, so I had a delicious meal and am happily writing this review 😚

Hagae Station eel restaurant location and parking

There was room for about five or six cars to park in front, and the restaurant looked quite large even from outside.

I liked that you can check the menu and prices before going in—so transparent 🤭 Eel restaurants often charge market price, but the prices here are fixed, which I actually preferred.

A spacious dining room that is easy to visit with kids

The dining room was very spacious, with seating arranged in an upside-down ㄷ shape, and it can accommodate groups of up to 66 people. High chairs and children's tableware are available too, so it is an easy place for a family meal with kids!

What we ordered for the two-person set

There were two adults and one child in our group, so we ordered the two-person set, grilled sausage for our child who cannot eat eel, one bowl of rice, and one drink.

The banchan (Korean side dishes) came generously arranged on a tray like a country-style home meal, which felt oddly nostalgic haha. You can get more side dishes at the self-service bar if you need them.

Later, you can also order nurungji (scorched rice) as a complimentary item, and it was delicious with the white kimchi :)

Two adults ordering two eels came to about ₩80,000 total. For three adults, I think the three-person set would be just the right amount. Around ₩104,000 for three eels for three people seems like a pretty good price too :)

Korean japonski freshwater eel grilled over real charcoal

Two eels, ready! The eel used at Cheonsanga Jangeoga Hagae Branch is Korean japonski freshwater eel. Japonski is one of the freshwater eel varieties we commonly eat; it is known for its thick flesh and firm texture, which is why it is often used for grilled eel.

Best of all, this eel specialty restaurant grills over real charcoal rather than gas, so the smoky aroma made it even more delicious ☺️ The staff grill the eel themselves, so we could eat comfortably without the hassle of cooking it. They also use Korean ingredients including the charcoal and sea salt.

So big... haha. Their lunch special and two-person set are said to be the signature menu items. It looked like a nice option for family visits, meals with parents, work dinners, or group gatherings too. Tiny eel bones can be surprisingly bothersome, but the staff carefully remove them right in front of you. Not once did a bone get caught in my mouth while eating!

It is not just eel either. When you order a set, you also get dishes that pair well with it, such as stone-pot sushi, eoriguljeot (salted oyster), or grilled deodeok (Korean bellflower root), plus doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew). It felt more filling than eating grilled eel alone, so I thought it would make a good family dining spot in Hagae-dong too.

Our child cannot eat eel, so we ordered sausage separately haha. Eel is supposed to be so good for you ㅠㅜ Just have one piece... Maybe because they are into sea-animal books these days, they would not eat eel 🙄 Too bad, but they polished off a bowl of rice with sausage haha.

Mild eel with a springy texture

As the staff grilled the eel to a golden brown, they sprinkled on just a little sea salt. It was not overly seasoned, so it was perfect eaten as salt-grilled eel. Eel turning beautifully golden 🤭 My first bite had none of that distinctive eel smell at all. It was not so overcooked that it crumbled; the outside was crisp while the inside stayed springy, and I personally really loved the texture.

The staff watched the doneness, flipped it over... checked the heat, and felt like true pros who had grilled eel for ages 🤭 They moved the finished eel to the side, and I kept picking it up enthusiastically before it got cold—how can food make you this happy...! My husband has looked tired from work lately, so I hoped the eel would give him some energy 😉 But despite what I said, I ate all the tail pieces hahaha. I need to keep my energy up too, for blogging and parenting..

The mild flavor of the eel, the clean seasoning from the sea salt, and the sharp aroma of ginger all came together, and one eel disappeared in no time haha. Most of all, I was pleased that it did not feel overly rich in that typical eel way 🩶 Sometimes eel gets cloying after a few pieces, but here the simply grilled eel and accompaniments went so well together that we happily cleared two eels :)

I visited with high expectations because it had been so long since I last ate eel, and the eel was even tastier than expected. The set was substantial too, making this a satisfying meal overall. With its spacious interior and parking, it seems like a good choice for a family meal, dining with parents, or a group gathering. If you are looking for an eel restaurant in Nowon with good prices, flavor, and convenience, Cheonsanga Jangeoga Hagae Branch is worth a visit.