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Top 5 Unagi Rice Bowl Spots
- Bogil (Jamsil) — Warm earthen-pot rice capturing the flavors of Bogildo
- Haemok (Haeundae) — Nagoya specialty served in Busan
- Marusim (Seocho) — Flavors brought straight from Nagoya
- Seoseol (Myeong-dong) — Soft rice paired with sauced eel
- Hamru (Seoul Station) — A refined, neatly presented meal with elegant tableware
The moment a sweet-and-salty glaze coats the eel and its aroma drifts up, unagi rice bowls snap to life. Tender, flaky eel meets warm rice to deliver a deep, savory richness, and every bite brings a clear hit of umami. With a pared-back presentation that lets quality ingredients shine, it’s a dish that works as a special treat or an easy, deeply satisfying meal. Here are five places where the unagi experience truly sings.
Warm earthen-pot unagi rice that channels Bogildo, Bogil (Jamsil)
Run by chefs trained at Walkerhill Hotel, Bogil uses ingredients from their hometown Bogildo to craft earthen-pot rice. The chamjeonbok sotbap—abalone marinated in kelp soy—shines with clean, delicate flavors. The eel earthen-pot rice, served over subtly seasoned rice with a salty-sweet sauced eel and a soft egg, is a crowd favorite. Their kaisendon, plated like a bouquet, feels like receiving a gift. They also offer a range of small plates that pair perfectly with drinks.
See more on Siksin: ‘Bogil’
- ✔Location
10-8 Ogeum-ro 16-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul
Open daily 11:00 AM–10:00 PM. Break time 4:00–5:00 PM. Closed Mondays.
- ✔Price
Unagi earthen-pot rice 29,000 KRW (about $20), Bogildo chamjeonbok sotbap 19,000 KRW (about $13), Abalone & octopus tteokgalbi sotbap 21,000 KRW (about $14)
Nagoya’s famous specialty in Busan, Haemok (Haeundae)
Haemok in Haeundae specializes in hitsumabushi, Nagoya’s famed eel rice bowl. A whole freshwater eel crowns the dish, and the tidy presentation impresses at first glance. The set arrives with green tea broth, perilla leaves, nori, and scallions—traditionally you divide the bowl into four portions: one eaten plain, one with the toppings, one with green tea broth, and a final portion finished however you prefer. Their colorful kaisendon, piled with fresh seafood, is wonderful wrapped in nori.
See more on Siksin: ‘Haemok’
- ✔Location
8 Gunam-ro 24beon-gil, Haeundae-gu, Busan
Open daily 11:00 AM–10:00 PM (last order 9:00 PM)
- ✔Price
Hitsumabushi 39,000 KRW (about $27), Kaisendon 37,000 KRW (about $25), Tuna+Salmon+Negitoro 24,000 KRW (about $16)
Authentic Nagoya flavors, Marusim (Seocho)
Marusim on Gomurae-ro in Seocho brings true Nagoya technique to Seoul—staff trained in Nagoya learn eel selection, trimming, grilling, and prep, then bring those skills home. Their hitsumabushi is meant to be enjoyed four ways: savor a quarter as-is to taste the pure eel-and-rice combo; add wasabi for a kick; pour in green tea broth for a comforting sip; and try it with the toppings for a final flavor. If you want four different experiences from one bowl, Marusim is the place.
See more on Siksin: ‘Marusim’ ▶
- ▲Location
1F Cheonggu Building, 10 Gomurae-ro 10-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul
Open daily 11:00 AM–10:00 PM
- ▲Menu
Hitsumabushi (Regular) 39,000 KRW (about $27), Hitsumabushi (Special) 53,000 KRW (about $36)
Soft rice meets sauced eel, Seoseol (Myeong-dong)
Seoseol is a beloved unagi spot among office workers around Myeong-dong, tucked between Myeong-dong and Hoehyeon stations. Apart from a few sides like a rolled omelet, the restaurant focuses almost entirely on hitsumabushi, so everything is dialed in for the eel rice experience. Their approach stays true to the Japanese recipe but tweaks the sweet-and-salty balance to suit Korean palates, resulting in an addictive umami that keeps you thinking about that bowl. Want to taste it? Head to Myeong-dong.
See more on Siksin: ‘Seoseol’ ▶
- ▲Location
Shop 105, 46 Sogong-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
Mon–Sat 11:30 AM–9:00 PM (closed Sundays)
- ▲Menu
Hitsumabushi 39,000 KRW (about $27), Grilled whole pollock roe 19,000 KRW (about $13)
Elegant tableware and a carefully arranged meal, Hamru (Seoul Station)
Hamru—whose name means “to serve with care”—near Seoul Station specializes in eel rice bowls and treats every component with attention. From glossy, perfectly glazed eel to thoughtfully prepared side dishes in refined tableware, the whole set delights both the eyes and the palate.
See more on Siksin: ‘Hamru’ ▶
- ▲Location
4th floor, Seoul Station, 405 Hangang-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
Open daily 11:00 AM–10:00 PM
- ▲Menu
Hitsumabushi (Regular) 39,000 KRW (about $27), Hitsumabushi (Special) 48,000 KRW (about $33)
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