Sejong izakaya for miso motsunabe dinner: Motsumo

While looking for somewhere to have dinner and talk in Dodam-dong, Sejong, I visited Motsumo Sejong Dodam Branch. Instead of alcohol, I had peach soda, along with miso motsunabe (offal hot pot) and matcha mochi ridofu (a soft, chewy tofu-like dessert).

Is it comfortable for two people to have dinner and talk?

The restaurant had the characteristic atmosphere and a moderate liveliness of an izakaya. It was not so quiet that I felt self-conscious about talking, and it was comfortable for two people to sit, talk, and eat. It also suited spending time over a casual drink.

What alcohol event was running during my visit?

An unlimited alcoholic drinks event was running when I visited. It may be useful to know if you plan to drink, but the event period and conditions can change, so it is best to check before visiting.

What did the miso motsunabe taste like?

I chose motsunabe because I wanted to have offal with a warm broth. I considered the soy sauce flavor, but since I usually enjoy soup dishes with a doenjang (soybean paste) base, I ordered the miso flavor. The owner also explained that it was the mildest flavor, which helped inform my choice.

When I first tasted the broth, it had a familiar yet rich miso-based flavor. The motsu had a more savory flavor when eaten with the broth, and I ate it with the other ingredients along the way.

Personally, rather than drinking a lot of the broth from the start, I preferred waiting until the ingredients were thoroughly cooked and taking them out one by one. Slowly eating the warm broth and motsu made for a fairly filling dinner.

How was the peach soda served instead of alcohol?

I ordered peach soda as a drink that someone who does not drink alcohol could also enjoy. With sweet peach flavor and carbonation, it reminded me of a carbonated version of the 2% drink. It was easy to drink lightly with the meal.

How were the texture and sauce of the matcha mochi ridofu?

After the meal, I ordered matcha mochi ridofu as a dessert. It combined matcha's slight bitterness with mochi ridofu's chewy, soft texture. If you prefer a slightly bitter flavor over desserts that are only sweet, it may suit your taste.

However, the sauce drizzled on top was not to my taste. It tasted like soy sauce, and I did not think it went well with the dessert, so I removed some of it before eating. The sauce was disappointing, but the texture was good.

Having the matcha mochi ridofu while the warm, rich flavor of the motsunabe still lingered gave the end of the meal a different feel. Even without alcohol, the two of us were able to enjoy dinner comfortably with a drink.