Family BBQ buffet with self-bar and ice cream in Yeongjong, Incheon

I was looking for a place for a family meal out in Yeongjong and ended up at Jangsodam Yeongjong Direct Store! Eel, beef, and pork all in one place, plus a full self-bar — we came out stuffed.

What kind of place is Jangsodam Yeongjong Direct Store?

Jangsodam is a spot where you can enjoy eel and beef together. According to the signage, they use domestic Japonica freshwater eel. Beyond eel, there's beef and pork too, so it seemed great for a group where everyone can pick according to their own taste.

On the day I visited, a sign said every Monday is Eel Day. I also noticed a sign saying that ordering eel gets you free rice, a drink, a specialty dish, Han River ramyeon, and soft-serve ice cream.

Pets are welcome too

And you can bring your pet inside! Dogs and cats are welcome, and there was detailed signage on pet etiquette like using a leash or a carrier.

A spacious restaurant that works for group dinners too

Once inside, it was much bigger than I expected. Tables weren't cramped and there were plenty of seats, so it looked like a solid pick for a family meal or a group get-together in Yeongjong.

Ordering was easy through the screen at the table. There was also a review event listed — post a photo and a review and get alcohol as a reward.

Specialty dishes and set menu combos

I was a little surprised by the range of specialty dishes — eggplant tempura, french fries, kimchi jeon (kimchi pancake), gimmari (fried seaweed rolls), bite-sized pork cutlet, chewy potatoes, cotton-ball braised pork, cream shrimp, fried rice, onion rings, chicken, churros with condensed milk, bean rice cakes, and more. Being able to mix in other dishes instead of just eating meat made the meal more fun.

The menu board also had a variety of sets combining eel and meat. You can mix and match eel, beef, pork, and yukhoe (Korean beef tartare) to your taste, so it's especially good for anyone wanting to try eel, beef, and pork in Yeongjong all at once.

What's at the self-bar?

The self-bar had camping-style pork neck, chestnut pork belly, various ribs, sausages, and other grillable items ready to go.

There was plenty of the vegetables you need with meat too. Green leaf lettuce, red leaf lettuce, perilla leaves, napa cabbage — lots of wrap options to grab as you like.

There was also acorn jelly and tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), good for a bite before the meat hits the grill. Take-only-what-you-eat, that's the self-bar way!

There were also heartier dishes like pasta and tofu kimchi. It's a BBQ restaurant self-bar, but there was more variety than I expected — fun to browse.

Some hot dishes were ready too — as in the photo, sundae (Korean blood sausage) and various cuts piled generously.

A ramyeon corner, ice cream, and drinks too

On one side there was a separate ramyeon (instant noodle) corner. With several varieties to choose from and cook yourself, it was fun.

And of course, something sweet to finish the meal. There was a soft-serve ice cream machine too — perfect for a cool finish after all that meat.

A drink dispenser and coffee were also set up in one spot, convenient to use while eating.

Kimchi, garlic, onion, scallion shreds, and other side dishes that go well with meat were also prepared in variety. Convenient to grab as much as you need.

The sauces weren't just one or two kinds either. Spicy sauce, onion sauce, various seasonings, and salt — you could switch up the same meat with different combinations.

Grilling and eating: the review

Time to really dig in! Kimchi, pickled onion, scallion shreds, and other basic side dishes to go with the meat were all set out for us at the start.

And then the meat platter arrived! One plate loaded with a variety of cuts — just looking at it was satisfying. Yukhoe and yangnyeom gejang (seasoned raw crab) came with fresh beef too, so we got to try a bit of everything.

The second the meat hit the grill, that sizzle was exactly what you want. The bigger cuts went on first to cook slowly, then got cut into bite-sized pieces.

Once it turned golden brown, the look alone made my mouth water. Grilling a little of each cut at a time meant I never got tired of it and kept reaching for more.

Picked up a well-cooked piece — yum! Tried the meat plain first, then with the sauces and onions. Meat really is best hot off the grill.

This time, a perilla leaf piled generously with meat and toppings for one bite! With so many wrap vegetables at the self-bar, mixing and matching like this was part of the fun.

Finished off with the cream shrimp specialty dish — and that was the meal! Not just meat, but self-bar snacks, ramyeon, drinks, and ice cream too — I really came out stuffed.

In summary

Whether you love eel, beef, or pork, the strength of Jangsodam is that everyone with different tastes can eat together in one place. With a wide range of menu choices and a spacious restaurant, it worked well for a family meal and would suit a bigger group gathering too.

If you're looking for a place in Yeongjong to eat generously of everything, give Jangsodam Yeongjong Direct Store a look. It's especially worth knowing about if you're after all-you-can-eat in Yeongjong, Incheon, a group dinner spot in Yeongjong, or eel, beef, and pork together in Yeongjong.

• Address: 18 Haneuljungang-ro 195beon-gil, Yeongjong-gu, Incheon, South Korea, units 204–206
• Hours: Daily 11:00–22:30