Daechi-dong eel restaurant with matsutake soup ochazuke: Manmok

I went to Manmok (만목), an eel rice bowl place that's become known as a go-to Daechi-dong lunch spot!

When you're trying to figure out what to eat nearby, you often end up with the same menus at the same price range. Manmok is good enough to be a great Daechi-dong lunch option too —

good prices, good quality, and it's beloved by office workers around Seonleung Station. I want to strongly recommend it as a Daechi-dong lunch spot!!

Manmok hours, break time and parking

Manmok is open daily from 11:00 to 22:00, with a break time from 15:00 to 17:00. Last order is at 14:20 and 21:20.

There are 2 parking spots in front of Manmok. The space in front is tight, so spots may not be available. Call ahead and they'll help you out!

Manmok menu: half, one, or one and a half eels

Manmok uses only Gochang freshwater eel, considered one of Korea's best eel-producing regions! From sourcing to selection, the eel is thoroughly managed, giving it a clean, deep flavor with no fishy smell. They have an eel rice bowl that lets you experience this eel at its fullest ^^ It comes in half, whole, and one-and-a-half servings, so you can order according to your appetite. You get side dishes, chawanmushi, and even dessert — the price felt so reasonable for all that.

The prices on highballs and draft beer are great too! (Strongly recommend if you're thinking about a work dinner near Seonleung Station ⭐️) Oh, and one more thing!! Some restaurants don't have a restroom, which is so inconvenient ㅠㅠ Manmok has an in-store restroom, and it's clean, which I loved.

Inside Manmok: solo seats to 6-person tables

When you walk into Manmok, there's seating like this where you can quietly enjoy a meal alone.

I personally love this seating during busy hours!! Even if you're not alone, it's nice to sit side by side instead of facing each other,

there's seating for 2 to 4 people near the entrance.

Further inside, there's seating with this great atmosphere!! I really liked Manmok's own distinct mood.

It's spacious enough for four people to sit comfortably, and this seating can even accommodate up to 6 for a meal!

Great atmosphere, great taste — Manmok feels like it's racing toward being the #1 Daechi-dong lunch spot! And near the entrance, there's a clear origin label!

Manmok uses domestic Gochang eel, and this origin certificate and display board — showing that the eel, the hanwoo hot pot, the rice, and even the radish are all domestic — was really reassuring to see.

One eel each for two: the full set lunch

The two of us each ordered a whole eel rice bowl ^^ It comes set up as a full course like this,

salad and all kinds of side dishes

Chawanmushi and matsutake soup are also set out with the meal, and I indulged in this lunchtime luxury.

This chawanmushi was so good... I honestly wanted to order another one... haha. It gently warms you up and is a great way to start the meal 💚

Kanto-style grilled eel, crisp outside and moist inside

This crispy-grilled eel was crispy on the outside but really tender inside.

The point of this eel rice bowl, both crispy and tender 👍🏻, was the grilling method. Manmok says they stick with the Kanto-style method, out of the Kanto, Kansai, and Nagoya eel cooking styles, because it best preserves the eel's texture and clean flavor.

They grill the eel once, steam it, then brush on their secret sauce and grill it twice more over charcoal!!

The pickled radish and baek-kimchi (white kimchi) that came with it were the perfect pairing!

Maybe that's why the greasiness is reduced, leaving only softness and deep flavor.

After going through this process, the eel isn't greasy and feels clean, so I felt comfortable even after finishing the meal 👍🏻

Wasabi, pepper and the matsutake soup ochazuke combo

I found eating it with wasabi like this suited me best!

Watch out, the pepper is delicious too haha

Scooping a bit of eel and rice into the matsutake soup, like ochazuke, and soaking it was also so delicious.

Trying different combinations bite by bite, I found myself thinking I was so glad I came to Manmok!

Dessert after the meal: matcha or black tea

After the meal, they bring out a simple dessert. You could choose between matcha and black tea flavors,

and I went with the black tea flavor again this time haha. It was such a satisfying meal, honestly one of the best I've had this summer.

Manmok captures the ingredients, the cooking, and the space all in one bowl of eel rice — I hope you get to experience a quiet but unforgettable meal there 💚

• Group reservations available
• 273m from Seonleung Station Exit 2