Two jumbo unaju eel sets on a fall weekend in Songjeong, Busan: Yuok

It's fully fall weather these days, and staying home all weekend feels like a waste. This kind of temperature only lasts so long, so I've been trying to get out and about! Last weekend I finally made it back to Songjeong, and this is my review of Yuok, where we stopped for lunch.

What Yuok in Songjeong looks like, and where to sit

Yuok is a Japanese restaurant at 47 Songjeongganbyeon-ro, 1st floor, Haeundae-gu, Busan, and from the exterior to the interior, it feels like a quick trip to Japan. Natural light pours in no matter where you sit, and every table has nicely placed little props that make the atmosphere even better. Even the distinctive entrance builds up the anticipation!

Yuok has both bar seats and table seats, so just sit wherever's comfortable. The little decor pieces give off that distinct Japanese feel too. Japan, without having to go far. Having this kind of treat on a weekend really refreshes the mood.

Yuok's menu and our order: two Jumbo Unaju Sets at 28.0

Yuok's signature is unaju, the Osaka-style eel rice bowl. Mackerel and salmon rice bowls, and tori-don, are also popular. Everything on the menu looked delicious, so after debating, we ordered two jumbo unaju sets with the eel we both love.

Each table has a little card explaining the best way to eat each dish, so it's worth referring to. Next time I'll have to try some of the other menu items!

Unaju vs. hitsumabushi: what's the difference?

The unaju set filled the whole table. I've mostly had hitsumabushi before, so this was my first time trying unaju, and I was curious. If hitsumabushi is Nagoya-style eel rice, unaju — with a whole eel laid on top — is the Kansai (Osaka) style.

The moment the food arrived, my eyes went wide — it looked like a menu straight out of a fine dining Japanese restaurant. From the atmosphere to the menu, it was clearly the right choice. Totally recommend it for a family meal or a date.

What comes with the Jumbo Unaju Set at Yuok

The jumbo unaju set comes with a whole domestic eel laid right on top. Extra tare sauce is available on request, but it's already seasoned well enough to eat as is.

Scallions, wasabi, seaweed, and tofu can be added to the eel rice bowl to taste. Personally, I love how the rich tare sauce pairs with wasabi, so I always add it.

The bottle contains green tea for ochazuke (tea-poured rice), and the appetizer salad is perfect for whetting your appetite. Every piece of tableware is so pretty that it's fun just to look at while you eat.

For dessert, a plum tea comes out that's great for cleansing the palate. It's nice that the unaju set covers the whole course.

How to eat Yuok's unaju eel bowl

With the wooden paddle served alongside, just cut the eel into bite-size pieces. The eel is so soft that the wooden paddle slices through it easily. There are no bones at all, and it's tender enough for anyone to enjoy.

For the first bite, I try it plain. Soft eel with that delicious tare sauce! One bite and it just melts in your mouth. There's also none of that typical fishy eel smell, making it a great pick for pretty much anyone.

For the second bite, I try it with scallions, seaweed, wasabi, and eel piled on top of the rice — this combo is delicious too. You can see how glossy the eel looks in the photos!

The oversized tamagoyaki at Yuok

As you're working through the eel, a giant tamagoyaki (rolled omelet) shows up, and its huge(?) size is surprising — then the taste surprises you even more. Eel rice bowl paired with tamagoyaki was a first for me, so I wasn't sure what to expect...?

The tamagoyaki tastes like a fluffy kasutera-style egg roll. It's a big size, but it was cooked evenly all the way through, which was surprising. Fluffy, soft, and generously portioned — I finished it without a shred of regret. Honestly, that taste kept popping into my head even after I got home ◡̈

Ochazuke that empties a whole bottle of green tea

My personal favorite part is the ochazuke. You pour a generous amount of green tea over the bowl of rice and eel and eat it that way — it tastes savorier and totally different from eating it plain. Try it once, and you'll find yourself having emptied the whole bottle of tea. Great interiors and delicious food — Yuok is my pick for a Songjeong date, and a Songjeong go-to restaurant.