Aged sashimi restaurant on Balsan pub street: DIY sushi, Neoul Magok

What is Neoul Magok?

Neoul Magok (너울 마곡본점) is an aged sashimi restaurant right in the middle of Balsan's pub street, and I went back again this past weekend. It already has a great reputation as a sashimi spot, and since I'd had good experiences on a few earlier visits, I couldn't resist returning. For anyone looking for a decent aged sashimi place around Magok and Balsan, I'll go through the atmosphere, the menu and my honest taste review.

Neoul Magok location, opening hours and parking

Neoul Magok is at 90 Magokjungang 8-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, South Korea (Magok iPark, 1st floor, Unit 127), on the pub street near Balsan Station, so it's very convenient as a meeting spot. It's open from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. the next day from Sunday to Thursday, and until 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, so you can take your time late into the night.

If you're driving, use the underground car park in the Magok iPark building. Searching for Neoul Magok or Magok iPark on Naver Map or your GPS will find it easily. You get up to 3 hours of free parking with a visit, so just ask the staff to register your car after you come in. In the evening the Balsan pub street has its own lively buzz, which is just perfect for a casual drink.

Atmosphere and outdoor tables at Neoul Magok

Step inside and the first thing that catches your eye is the fish tank on one side. Seeing for yourself that the seafood is kept fresh made me trust it even more as a sashimi specialist.

The interior mixes warm lighting with a pocha (Korean pub) vibe for a cozy feel. The tables are spaced well apart, so it was easy to talk without being bothered by the neighbors, and it's an easy place to come with friends or a date. There are also outdoor tables in front of the restaurant, and when the weather is cool, eating outside and soaking in the pub street atmosphere was a big draw.

Neoul Magok menu and prices

The menu at Neoul Magok centers on aged sashimi and a varied lineup of full-table sets: the aged sashimi set at ₩53,000, the octopus and clam hot pot at ₩59,000 and the seafood set at ₩39,000. There are also soupy dishes like steamed seafood and whole whelk stew, plus treats like octopus and water dropwort pancake, Jjapa Fry (stir-fried black bean noodles with fries) and rice cake tteokbokki, so there's a lot to choose from.

• Aged sashimi set ₩53,000
• Octopus and clam hot pot ₩59,000
• Seafood set ₩39,000
• Soupy dishes such as steamed seafood and whole whelk stew
• Specials such as octopus and water dropwort pancake, Jjapa Fry and rice cake tteokbokki

This time we ordered the signature aged sashimi set.

What comes with the aged sashimi set at Neoul Magok?

The aged sashimi set at Neoul Magok (₩53,000) arrives with several kinds of sashimi neatly arranged on one plate, including flatfish, salmon, Spanish mackerel and tuna, along with seasoned water dropwort, salad, stir-fried mushrooms, clam soup and sushi rice. It was more generous than I expected, and since it's not just sashimi but comes with side dishes too, the whole table felt even fuller.

The clam soup was clear and refreshing, and did a great job of cleansing the palate between bites of sashimi.

Making your own sushi with seasoned minari and sushi rice

The seasoned water dropwort (minari) in the set was fresh and a little spicy, which whets the appetite, and it cut through any richness from the sashimi, so the pairing was excellent. The stir-fried mushrooms were salty-savory and tender, really good.

I was also impressed that sushi rice comes with the set. You can put the aged sashimi on the rice and make your own sushi, which made it fun to enjoy the sashimi in different ways.

How does the aged sashimi at Neoul Magok taste?

The aged sashimi at Neoul Magok was great, with each fish having a distinct flavor and texture. The sea bream was chewy with a subtle sweetness that followed, and the salmon had a rich, soft flavor that filled the mouth. The flatfish had a wonderfully springy bite, and the tuna was so soft it practically melted in the mouth.

Putting fresh sashimi and various side ingredients on the sushi rice and eating my own combinations left me satisfied all through the meal. If you're looking for an aged sashimi place with good atmosphere near Magok or Balsan Station, Neoul Magok is a choice you won't regret.