A restaurant that captures both taste and health with its grilled conger eel.

A popular restaurant in Samgakji, recognized by Koreans, which has been converted from a house into a dining establishment!

"Dolpanjang," a place where the passion of young people shines!

Adress >> 24, Hangang-daero 53-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea

This place operates as a restaurant on both the first and second floors. Since it is a space converted from a house, it has a humble yet warm atmosphere and feels very clean. Every table is equipped with a burner. This is essential because the grilled sea eel is cooked on a stone plate here.

The white kimchi here is quite special. They take the original red kimchi, ferment it for a long time to make aged kimchi, then wash the cabbage and mix it with perilla oil before serving. It has a very nutty flavor with a hint of tanginess, making it a perfect match for the grilled conger eel.

The seasoned bellflower root dish had a sweet taste rather than the strong characteristic flavor of bellflower root. The sauce also had a slight spiciness, but it was balanced with a tangy and sweet flavor.

You'll likely find yourself running out of kimchi varieties while eating because they are incredibly delicious! If you need more side dishes, just ask the staff, and they will bring you more.

This is grilled eel sushi. The combination of the plump eel and rice is fantastic! The eel is lightly seared with a torch to enhance its nutty flavor. The sauce underneath is the same sweet soy sauce that comes with the basic side dishes, and it pairs perfectly with the eel sushi!

The menu here offers two types of grilled eel: salt-grilled and marinated. I chose the salt-grilled option for a lighter taste!

The food is served on the stone plate fully cooked, so you can start eating right away. Thanks to the burner, you can keep the food warm throughout your meal. See the green on the right side? That’s scallion.

The scallions are served fresh, so you can grill them a bit on the stone plate until they become slightly tender, then enjoy them with the grilled eel. The fragrant aroma of the scallions pairs perfectly with the nutty eel, ensuring you won’t tire of the flavor. It's the best combination!

Actually, my top pick is the mustard leaf kimchi! I love kimchi in general, and the mustard leaf kimchi here is exceptionally delicious. Pairing the nutty grilled eel with a bit of spicy kimchi creates an amazing performance in your mouth!

Gat-kimchi is a traditional Korean fermented dish made with mustard greens (gat). It features a unique spicy and tangy flavor due to ingredients like red pepper powder, garlic, ginger, green onions, and fish sauce. Gat-kimchi promotes digestive health through beneficial probiotics, provides antioxidants from mustard greens, boosts immunity with vitamin C, and supplies essential vitamins and minerals. It can be enjoyed as a side dish or used in various recipes like bibimbap and stews, making it a versatile and nutritious addition to meals.

There's a quintessential Korean drink that can't be missed when having dinner: soju.

The soju we ordered is none other than Andong soju. Andong Soju is a traditional Korean distilled liquor originating from the Andong region in Gyeongsangbuk-do. It has a long history dating back to the Joseon Dynasty and is known for its unique brewing method using rice, nuruk (a fermentation starter), and water. After fermentation, the mixture is distilled to create a clear and potent spirit with an alcohol content typically ranging from 20% to 45%.

Andong Soju differs from popular soju brands like Chamisul and Chum-Churum in several key aspects. Firstly, the aroma is distinct; Andong Soju has much less of the sharp alcohol smell and instead offers a subtle, nutty fragrance. The taste is also smoother and cleaner, providing a gentle and pleasant drinking experience without the harsh burn commonly associated with mass-produced soju.

No Korean meal feels complete without rice! So, we ordered fried rice with flying fish roe.

This fried rice, cooked with various vegetables and flying fish roe, makes for a perfect end to the meal. It’s not too salty, allowing you to enjoy its nutty and wholesome flavors. One characteristic of Koreans is that no matter what they eat, if a restaurant offers fried rice, they always finish their meal with it!

Honestly, I'm not sure why, but it feels like the meal isn't complete without rice. It's as if the meal hasn't truly ended until we've had some rice.

Samgakji in Yongsan-gu is a very popular place. It's a favorite meeting spot for Koreans these days. With a variety of themed restaurants and cafes, there’s plenty to see and do! It’s even earned the nickname 'Yongridan-gil.' If you want to experience the true essence of young Korea, why not travel to Samgakji instead of the usual tourist spots?