Cycle 16 – Item 252
POST 5,731
14 (Sun) September 2025
Minmul Jangeo
3.0
-Sinhyeon, Gwangju, Gyeonggi, Republic of Korea-
with W and IZ, In-Laws
To celebrate MIL’s birthday, we had lunch at Supsok Jangeo Chon – upon her insistence, despite my suggestion that we go instead to Pungcheon Jangeo Maeul, the eel restaurant near our place (see generally 11.250 Pungcheon Jangeo – King Special Large).
Comparing various factors, I give the win to Pungcheon, hands down, confirming my first impression (see generally 13.319 Minmul Jangeo).
Eel. Ordering 2 kg from the start, Supsok served 3 eels (about 666 g per fish). At Pungcheon, where we usually start with 1 kg, they serve 2 eels (about 500 g per fish). Though I’m sure that Supsok would serve 2 smaller eels if ordering 1 kg, and Pungcheon would serve 3 larger eels if ordering 2 kg. And while eels can be less meaty/juicy/tasty when really small (350 g or below) (see for example 12.278 Pungcheon Jangeo – Regular), size doesn’t matter as much once they’re sufficiently large (500 g and up). Both restaurants serve the eels plain with a sprinkle of salt, so they taste virtually the same. TIE.
Sides. Pungcheon serves 17 sides (12.278 Pungcheon Jangeo – Regular), including excellent kimchi and amazing doenjang guk (for free) (13.106 Doenjang Guk), while Supsok serves a paltry 8, none of them particularly memorable. PUNGCHEON.
Options. Pungcheon offers a range of other dishes (see for example 11.269 Dotori Muk Sabal, 13.301 Kimchi Mari Guksu, 16.129 Janchi Guksu), while Supsok offers nothing else except doenjang guk + rice to finish off the meal (1,000 per person). PUNGCHEON.
Cost. Supsok is cheaper (75,000 per kg) vs Pungcheon (88,000 = per kg). SUPSOK.
Location. Pungcheon is way closer (3.6 km from home) (13 km from the In-Laws’ home), compared to Supsok (19 km from home) (31 km from the In-Laws’ home). PUNGCHEON.
Service. The initial spread at Pungcheon is served, but refills on sides are self-service, which I prefer, because I can get exactly what I want, as much as I want, whenever I want, but Supsok refills come upon request, which sometimes takes awhile. At both places, the servers are equally expert at grilling/cutting the eel. However, the bed of coals at Supsok are relatively thin, so the eels took much/way longer to cook. PUNGCHEON (marginally).
So, unless to save 26,000 (less the cost of fuel), I can’t understand why MIL would prefer this place over the over.
Anyway, happy birthday, MIL!
(See RESTAURANTS IN KOREA)
(See GLOBAL FOOD GLOSSARY)
(See HANSIK)