Ilpyeon Jangeo Hongdae — Restaurant in Seoul

Found this eel place online and was very excited to try it as my family and I loved eel a lot. We made a reservation on catchtable so we were seated immediately upon arrival. An english menu was given to us so it was easier for us to order.

However, it was not made clear in the menu that everyone had to order one eel each. We came as a party of 5 and not everyone is a big eater. We wanted to order 2 sets of 2 eels each, which also comes with 2 baskets of vegetables and 2 staples. However, when placing the order, we were informed that we had to order another eel, so we had no choice.

The eel was not small - it was a whole eel that is at least 50cm long. Our intuition was right, and it was indeed way too much food for the 5 of us. By the middle of the meal, we were already forcing ourselves to finish the food. The flying roe rice was also horrible, as the flavour was not good and rice was not scorched at all. At this point, we were upset and really regretted having our meal here.

Do not get me wrong, the eel was indeed delicious. But having to eat it in such large quantities, it became tortuous and we were sick of eating it. We still tried our best to finish the food as we knew the high price that we paid for it.

I think it's really unfair that the restaurant forces the customers to order more than they can take. It is not as if we were under ordering, we just wanted to order the correct portion for ourselves to enjoy our food.

*Expect to wait for 30 mins for the eel to be prepared before you can finally start eating (they have to gut...

We decided to visit this restaurant based on online recommendations, and it truly exceeded our expectations! We ordered the set menu, which included eel, seafood rice, and a rice dish. The food was fantastic—the grilled eel, expertly cooked by our server, had a firm yet tender texture. While the eel itself had a mild taste, the provided sauce enhanced its flavor perfectly. The side dishes were delicious, and the staff was warm and attentive, generously refilling the banchan throughout the meal.

One of the most unique aspects of this restaurant is that they show you the live eel before cooking it, even letting you touch, hold, and take photos with it—a fun and interactive experience! The eel is then grilled over charcoal, giving it a juicy yet slightly crispy texture that pairs wonderfully with the side dishes. Our favorite combination was mixing it with the flying fish roe fried rice for an extra layer of flavor.

The menu is available in multiple languages, making it easy for visitors to navigate. If you're in Hongdae and want to try something different, this place is absolutely worth a visit. We’ll...

Review of Ilpyeon Jangeo Hongdae

Location: The restaurant is very conveniently located. As you walk there, you'll pass by many shops, making it perfect for a bit of shopping afterward. It's on the second floor, with a fruit stall at the entrance on the first floor. Just head up the stairs next to it.

Food: The cold noodles are not spicy and taste refreshing and appetizing. The eel is grilled by staff, making it easy to enjoy without worrying about bones. It has a delightful crispy texture and sweetness. Plus, there's complimentary seaweed soup, which is a nice touch.

Service and Atmosphere: The service is quick and friendly, with the staff always smiling. The environment is spacious and comfortable, with ample space between tables. We visited on a Sunday at 6:30 PM, and even then, it wasn't crowded. We were seated immediately without any wait.

Overall, it was a pleasant and comfortable dining experience. I highly recommend...