Sashimi spot in Balsan: after-work set & spicy clam ramen, Neoul Magok

It was one of those after-work days when going straight home felt like a waste. The kind of evening where a cool breeze at sunset and a cold glass of soju would be just right. Neoul Magok (너울 마곡본점), a sashimi restaurant near Balsan Station, was exactly that.

I sat down drawn by the outdoor-table vibe, but what I ended up remembering was the aged sashimi set and the spicy clam ramen.

What time should you go to get an outdoor table at Neoul Magok?

If you're aiming for the outdoor tables at Neoul Magok, get there before 6 PM at the latest. I had a reservation and arrived around 6, and the outdoor area was already full.

It was about the time the sun starts to go down, and everyone seemed to know the timing. I heard that people in the know grab a spot right at opening, 5 PM. The outdoor seating runs until the end of June as of now, so if you want it, move before 6 PM or you'll be disappointed. Outdoor seating is all about timing.

What's in the Neoul aged sashimi set (small), and how much food is it?

Neoul Magok's aged sashimi set comes in small, medium and large, with about 4–5 kinds of fish such as red sea bream, flatfish, salmon and tuna. It can vary by season, but you basically get a good variety.

I wondered if the small set would be too little for two, but it was plenty as a first round. Eating just the sashimi didn't leave me feeling empty, and with drinks it fills you up to a nice, happy point.

If you want something more filling, add a side of Jjapa Fry or the spicy clam ramen and it fits perfectly.

What's the texture of the low-temperature aged sashimi?

Neoul Magok's sashimi is aged at a low temperature, so it doesn't feel over-aged, and it keeps a chewy texture like live fish sashimi. If aged sashimi sits too long, the flavor gets deeper but it loses its bounce and can feel mushy. Neoul's wasn't like that.

Even though it's aged, it doesn't feel slack. Every bite has a spring to it, so the texture is quite distinct. That makes it a good fit when you want the fish's natural firmness rather than soft aged sashimi.

How to eat Neoul's aged sashimi for the best flavor

The set comes with perilla leaves, seasoned seaweed (yangban-gim), vinegared rice (chodaeri-bap) and white kimchi (baek-kimchi). Here are the three combinations I tried.

• Perilla leaf + sashimi: The basic one. It doesn't hurt the taste of the fish, and the perilla aroma makes it much cleaner.
• Seasoned seaweed + vinegared rice + sashimi: Almost a mini sushi. The vinegared rice is much lighter and fresher than plain rice. Pop it in one bite and it rivals a sushi restaurant!
• Seasoned seaweed + white kimchi + sashimi: The crunchy, cool white kimchi cleans up the flavor of the fish. It feels like resetting your mouth. It goes with any fish without standing out, a safe, stable combo.

The classic finisher: how is Neoul's spicy clam ramen?

The spicy clam ramen at Neoul Magok was the real hit of the day. If you think of it as just a side ramen, you're wrong (haha, it's no Osan). It carries you smoothly into a hangover-soothing finish before you head home.

The spicy, sharp heat like Shin Ramyun hits first. But that's not all. The salty, briny savoriness from the clams joins in and the flavor gets even deeper. There are bean sprouts in it too, so a cool, refreshing taste comes up as well.

The noodles were cooked firm and chewy and never went soggy the whole time. Every slurp had spring, and the broth-soaked noodles were bouncy in the mouth.

After I'd fished out all the noodles, the leftover broth suddenly felt too good to waste. In the end I even finished the soju left in my glass, down to the last drop~

Magok sashimi restaurant Neoul Magok: when to go

Neoul Magok is a 2-minute walk from The Venue G Seoul and a 10-minute walk from LG Arts Center, so it works well for a wedding after-party. Seoul Botanic Park is about 5 minutes by car, so it's a fine add-on after a stroll, and it's an easy route after shopping at Lotte Mall Gimpo Airport too.

The nostalgic 80s and 90s songs helped too. The retro feel makes you look back even if you were about to walk past after work, and then there's the aged sashimi set. Without trying too hard, it was a thoroughly good night.