[Masil] Right by Namseong Station Exit 4—A Late-Autumn Feast with Fresh Cockle Salad & Grilled Gizzard Shad

Let me introduce “Masil,” a seasonal seafood spot located right in front of Exit 4 of Namseong Station (Line 7). It’s a small place, but it feels clean and cozy, perfect for a relaxed meal.

In the video, they visited in late autumn, when cockles and gizzard shad are in season, and tried the fresh cockle salad and grilled gizzard shad. Since Masil focuses on seasonal ingredients, the menu may change depending on the time of year—so keep that in mind when you visit.

With your order, you’ll get a nice set of side dishes like cucumber & chive salad, seasoned aster greens, king oyster mushrooms in a sesame sauce, and crunchy seasoned bean sprouts. The mushroom dish is even garnished with chrysanthemum, giving it a subtle, elegant touch.

Fresh cockle salad

The fresh cockle salad features boiled cockles tossed in a flavorful seasoning, and it’s known for having plump, larger-than-usual cockles. The bright red color instantly whets your appetite, and once you take a bite, you’ll notice the bouncy, chewy texture. The vegetables mixed in pair beautifully, and the seasoning is said to be well-balanced—not overly sweet, sour, or spicy.

After enjoying it for a bit, a highly recommended move is to add rice and seaweed flakes and mix it all together. With a hint of sesame oil, the rice turns glossy and fragrant, and the seasoning coats every bite—seriously addictive.

Grilled gizzard shad

Grilled gizzard shad is often called the “king of autumn fish.” It’s prized for its rich aroma and just-right fattiness. There’s even a famous Korean saying that the smell of grilled gizzard shad can “bring back a daughter-in-law who left home,” which shows how iconic it is in autumn.

At Masil, the fish is fairly large and satisfying—one bite gives you a burst of umami from the flesh, followed by the nutty fragrance of the skin. You should still be mindful of small bones, but many say it’s easy to eat without them being too bothersome. Some people even enjoy the head for its slightly bitter taste—great if you like that kind of flavor.

It’s delicious on its own, but dipping it into a sauce made by mixing wasabi into soy sauce is another great way to enjoy it. On its own it tastes clean and simple, but with the sauce, you get a deeper savoriness that makes the fish’s natural sweetness and richness stand out even more.

Masil also offers a wide variety of alcoholic drinks, so pairing the seasonal dishes with a well-matched drink is part of the fun.

Grilled gizzard shad, cockle bibimbap, and a drink that fits perfectly… Just imagining it makes you look forward to autumn, doesn’t it? 🍂