Jeongja-dong Korean BBQ: eel and hanwoo short rib at Mansuheon Jeongja

Two mothers of high school seniors, meeting for dinner

Raising a high school senior means the days fly by so fast. Even with a friend I've known since our kids were little, we've barely been able to meet up because we're both so busy — and it hit me that this might be our last chance to meet before the College Scholastic Ability Test. Between exam prep and getting ready for early admissions essays and regular admissions, things are about to get pretty hectic for a while.

It feels like just yesterday we were laughing and crying together while our kids were little, and now, somehow, we're both moms of high school seniors staring down the exam. It's strange to sit with that.

In the middle of the busy stretch of supporting our kids through exam prep, I felt like we moms needed a break too. So this get-together wasn't just a meal — it was time to comfort and cheer each other on for all the effort we've been putting in. The place we visited that day was Mansuheon, known as an eel spot in Bundang.

Where is Mansuheon Jeongja, and what is the restaurant like?

Mansuheon Jeongja is on the 2nd floor, Unit 203, of Baekgung Plaza 2 in Jeongja-dong, and underground parking is available. After parking, walking into the restaurant, the clean and calm atmosphere caught my eye first.

The entrance already had an upscale feel, and inside, wood interiors paired with soft lighting made it comfortable.

Every table was set up for charcoal grilling, and seeing the neatly arranged space, I got the sense we'd be properly treated to a nice meal that day.

The full table at Mansuheon Jeongja: salt-grilled eel and hanwoo short rib

Once we sat down, we ordered salt-grilled eel, Korean beef two-plus-grade No. 9 rib meat grilled, and octopus with water dropwort. We came for the eel, for the exam moms' health, but getting to enjoy Korean beef alongside it made the meal even more exciting. As dishes started filling the table one by one, it became a spread that looked satisfying just to look at.

We started by putting the salt-grilled eel on the charcoal. Just watching it turn golden brown was enough to make my mouth water.

The well-cooked eel had that clean, light taste you'd expect from a salt grill, with a subtle charcoal aroma adding a nutty depth.

The chewy texture and tender flesh worked so well together that I couldn't help saying it was delicious with every bite. The eel was great on its own, but eating it with the side vegetables kept things clean and not the least bit greasy.

Grilling 1++ grade No. 9 hanwoo short rib meat

The Korean beef two-plus-grade No. 9 rib meat grilled couldn't be skipped either. In the photos, the meat had a vivid red color with fine marbling, and it looked absolutely mouthwatering sizzling over the charcoal.

Picking up a piece cooked just right, the juices and savory flavor spread through my mouth. It had a completely different charm from the eel, which made switching back and forth between the two so fun.

Octopus with water dropwort, ordered as an extra

The octopus with water dropwort we added separately was appetizing just to look at. Fresh water dropwort and octopus tossed in seasoning added a tangy, spicy kick.

After eating the meat and eel, pairing it with the octopus dish cleared the palate, and with a range of side dishes and sauces on the table, it was easy to eat however suited us. Looking back at the photos now, every dish was so carefully arranged, it brings back the whole feeling of that abundant meal.

A good meal, and cheers to the rest of exam season

The food was great that day, but what I appreciated most was getting to sit and talk comfortably with a friend I've known for so long. Since our connection goes back to when our kids were little, there was no awkwardness even after not seeing each other in a while.

As moms raising exam-year kids, we understood each other's worries and struggles without needing to explain them in detail.

Raising a high school senior often means a mom's whole day revolves around the kid's schedule. School, academy schedules, making sure meals happen, checking in on how they're doing — there's no shortage of things to keep track of. When the kid struggles, the mom struggles right along with them, and in senior year, it all doubles.

Parents shouldn't be overbearing, but I do think a reasonable amount of attention matters, so meeting a friend who feels the same way, talking things through, and getting some comfort — I feel like I can keep going as an exam-year mom because of it.

So the meal we had at Mansuheon that day didn't feel like just filling our stomachs — it felt like a small gift to myself for all the effort I've put in.

Eating a well-set spread made me feel taken care of, and chatting with my friend about this and that made my heart feel a lot lighter.

Walking out after the meal, I resolved to keep supporting our kids well through the rest of the exam season. Because when a mom stays healthy and keeps some peace of mind, that good energy carries over to her kid too.