Counter-seat mazesoba and jumbo eel set at Yuok, Songjeong, Busan

The weather was so nice this weekend that I decided to go for a drive and check out Yuok, a famous Japanese restaurant in Songjeong, Busan known for its long waits. I'd heard it's usually packed, so I went in with high expectations! Here's my honest review of a proper Japanese meal in Songjeong.

• 📍47 Songjeong-gangbyeon-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan, South Korea
• 🕖Mon-Sun 11:00-22:00 (break time 15:00-17:00)
• 🍼Baby chairs available

6-minute walk from Songjeong Station, parking for 8 cars

Yuok, this Japanese restaurant in Songjeong, Busan, is just a 6-minute walk from Songjeong Station on the Donghae Line, so it's easy to reach by public transit. The restaurant also has parking for 8 cars, so I didn't have to worry about that.

The moment I stepped through the entrance, the beautifully kept landscaping and the quiet, refined exterior made me feel like I'd landed in Japan!!

There was one party ahead of us in line, so I had fun looking around while I waited.

I even got to see a cute otter..! This restaurant near Songjeong Station is really nice for a date or a visit with a baby.

We waited about 10 minutes behind one party before getting seated! Even though I deliberately came during a late lunch hour, there was still a wait — proof this Songjeong spot is the real deal.

Inside, watching the open kitchen from the counter seats

The interior was decorated in a calm, cozy style that felt like a Japanese hot-spring getaway, so I felt properly relaxed the moment I walked in~

There are dachi (open-kitchen counter) seats, so it was fun watching the open kitchen at work too.

Baby chairs are available!

Menu and ordering

True to a proper Japanese restaurant in Songjeong, Busan, there's a wide variety of neatly plated set meals, plus mazesoba udon, tempura udon, dinner menus, and even a hearty kids' bento — great for coming with a baby or for a night out drinking with other adults. I ordered the signature menu items:

• Jumbo Unaju set ₩28,500
• Mazesoba udon ₩12,000

and waited for it to arrive.

Even the complimentary water — a rich barley tea — passed the test.

Each seat comes with neatly arranged pickled ginger and rakkyo (pickled scallions).

The jumbo unaju set, all the way to ochazuke

The eel rice bowl set arrived beautifully arranged — my mouth was watering instantly..! With a refreshing salad and appetizing side dishes rounding it out, the presentation alone made me feel properly treated!

Thick, nicely browned eel covered the rice edge to edge, and hidden underneath was a plump, fluffy rolled egg omelet — doesn't it just look delicious?!

The friendly staff kindly explained how to eat it. You cut up the thick eel, top it with the garnishes, and finish with ochazuke (rice steeped in tea) at the end!

The thickness and grilling of the eel were perfect! The sweet-savory special sauce soaked deep into the eel, giving every bite an incredible depth of umami.

The soft rolled egg omelet underneath added nuttiness and softness — the pairing with the eel was perfect.

After eating about half the eel rice bowl, I poured in warm green tea and enjoyed it as ochazuke. The mild, clean broth paired beautifully with the salty-sweet eel sauce. I was able to finish every last bite without any heaviness — light, clean, and satisfying!!

Mazesoba udon isn't complete until you mix in the rice

Yuok's other standout dish is the mazesoba udon. I burst the yolk, mixed it thoroughly into the udon noodles and toppings, and one bite in — so savory and delicious.

Chewy udon noodles topped with savory stir-fried minced meat, fresh chopped scallions, seaweed flakes, and a rich egg yolk right in the center — doesn't it look amazing? The scallions and toppings worked really well together!

If you don't mix rice into your mazesoba udon at the end, that's a crime..

Rice comes included as standard, so I finished up strong to the very last bite!

Every dish was so good I scraped the bowls clean!!

The restroom was really clean, and they even had mouthwash — such a nice touch!

From the serene Japanese-style interior to the beautifully plated set meal, I understood why people line up here! I really enjoyed the combination of the thick eel rice bowl and the addictive mazesoba udon. If you're looking for a Japanese restaurant in Songjeong, Busan, I highly recommend stopping by Yuok!!