Aged sashimi restaurant in Guro with a free corkage coupon: Neomsiljip

What is Neomsiljip like?

Neomsiljip (넘실집) is an aged sashimi restaurant near Gudi Station (Guro Digital Complex Station). You know those stressful, exhausting commutes home when you desperately crave a piece of chewy aged sashimi? I went on one of those days, so let me introduce this Gudi sashimi favorite.

The place isn't huge, and when I arrived a little after 6 p.m., it was already about half full. Coworkers, couples on dates, married couples: local office workers coming straight from work. It had a real locals' favorite vibe.

Where is Neomsiljip, and what about hours and parking?

The address is 46 Dijiteol-ro 32da-gil, Guro-gu, Seoul (Unit 101, 1st floor). Leave Gudi Station by Exit 2, cross the road opposite Hongkong Banjeom, and head into the alley between the Songwol Towel and Burger King buildings. Walk straight about 200 m and it's in the CU building. It's near Kkalkkal Street, so it's easy to reach.

• Mon–Thu 17:00–24:00 (last order 23:00)
• Fri–Sat 17:00–01:00 the next day (last order 00:00)
• Closed Sundays
• Parking: the lot behind the CU convenience store alley; if it's full, use the public lot near Gudi Station Exit 1

Is there more on the menu than aged sashimi?

You order from the tablet on each table, which is easy. Besides the main aged sashimi platter, there's a wide range of distinctive dishes for people who don't eat raw fish: spicy gopchang tteokbokki (beef intestine rice cakes), shrimp and minari (water dropwort) pancake, cold Sancheong black pork, nameroo (minced raw fish), and more.

Seasonal items like large winter yellowtail (daebang-eo) and live shrimp sashimi are great too.

Today's order: aged sashimi for two and fish-bone stew

• Aged sashimi platter (for 2, ₩48,000)
• Seodeori-tang, fish-bone stew (Naver review event)

I picked the aged sashimi for its chewy texture and good-quality protein, and since I always need a soup, I grabbed the fish-bone stew through the review event too.

How was the aged sashimi platter?

As soon as you sit down, a cabbage salad arrives as a basic side. I assumed it was sesame dressing, but one taste and it was a nutty peanut sauce! It protects your stomach before the meal and really whets the appetite. I even got a refill before the sashimi arrived.

The platter has red drum (jeomseongeo), salmon and sea bream. The slices are cut thick, and the first bite bursts with that signature chewy texture and savory depth. My friend kept raving the whole meal: "This place is seriously good."

What's the difference between aged sashimi and regular (live fish) sashimi?

• Regular sashimi (hwal-eohoe, live fish): the fish is cut fresh, so the muscle is still contracted, giving a springy, bouncy texture.
• Aged sashimi (seoneohoe): the fish is aged at low temperature for a set time, which relaxes the muscle and softens the toughness. Proteins break down and produce inosinic acid (IMP), which maximizes that chewy, mouth-coating texture and deep savoriness that lingers on the tongue!

Tips for enjoying aged sashimi

Try different variations! Wrap it in plain unseasoned seaweed, top it with aged kimchi, or dip it in savory sesame oil sauce, and you get a whole range of flavors in one sitting.

Review-event fish stew and self-serve cup noodles

You can get the fish-bone stew through the Naver review event. I took one bite and it was packed with bean sprouts and minari, and the broth was so refreshing it worked like a hangover soup that made me want more soju.

Another fun thing: you can order yuukgaejang (spicy beef soup) cup noodles. You pour the hot water yourself at the water dispenser at the back of the shop. The smell of the ramyeon at the next table totally won me over, and I vowed to get ramyeon next time for sure.

What are the reserved seats and atmosphere like?

I booked through Naver, and when I arrived there was a reserved sign with my name on it at the table. It's a detail like this that makes you feel properly looked after!

Fishing-net decorations around the shop add an outdoor-market vibe, which makes Neomsiljip stand out among the sashimi pubs near Gudi.

Is corkage free at Neomsiljip?

Corkage isn't automatically free, but if you agree to "notifications" on Naver, you get a coupon for one free bottle! The table behind me brought wine, and I think tasty aged sashimi with white wine would be perfect for an anniversary.

Who is Neomsiljip for?

I strongly recommend it to anyone who wants a lively yet comfortable atmosphere, attentive service, and above all chewy aged sashimi bursting with savory flavor. Bring a coworker or a date and you'll be praised either way!