Yeouido Korean-fusion restaurant for bibimbap arancini: MOI

Hallo hallo~ I went to Yeouido on the weekend with a friend, and instead of dealing with the crowded The Hyundai building, we wanted brunch somewhere with a nicer atmosphere, so we headed to MOI, a spot famous for dates.

Where is MOI, and how far is it from Yeouinaru Station?

MOI is located at 113 Yeouinaru-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, on the 2nd floor of Gongjak Shopping Center right on Yeouinaru-ro, so it's very easy to reach by public transit. It's just a 2-minute walk from Exit 1 of Yeouinaru Station. That said, since it's in a commercial building, there's no dedicated parking, so if you're driving, you'll need to use a nearby public lot. I'd recommend the KEPCO South Seoul HQ parking lot or the public street parking behind the MBC broadcasting station.

Group seating is available and the restrooms are separated for men and women, which makes things convenient, and corkage is available for a fee.

Inside MOI on the 2nd floor of Gongjak Shopping Center

Gongjak Shopping Center is an old building, but the moment you open MOI's door, an entirely different space unfolds.

The overall interior you feel the moment you step in is pure coziness and cleanliness. The lighting is set fairly low, which really made the space's stylish atmosphere stand out.

The tables are spaced wide apart and the atmosphere is quiet, perfect for focusing on each other's conversation.

The atmosphere is so quiet and upscale that, looking around the space, we saw a lot of couples there for blind dates or regular dates. There were also plenty of groups of friends there for brunch. I really loved the elegant interior — more than enough to make any special day feel even more special.

Each seat has a stool for putting your bags, so even the two-person seats let you enjoy your meal without any hassle.

The lighting is soft and the interior so elegant that photos came out looking great too. We got delicious food and pretty pictures both.

How MOI's lunch menu differs from dinner

Lunch runs from 11am to 3pm and dinner from 5pm to 9:30pm, and prices don't change between the two. The big difference is that dinner adds steak dishes and the drinks include alcohol.

We visited for lunch, so we got the lunch menu, and since the place is famous for pasta, we ordered pasta along with arancini and risotto. It's a lot of food for two people, but the arancini especially looked so good I had to order it.

Bibimbap arancini, 5pc for ₩18,000

The bibimbap arancini (5pc, ₩18,000) — bibimbap (mixed rice with vegetables) reimagined as fried rice balls — was fried crisp on the outside while staying moist inside, and the contrast in texture worked beautifully. Inside, the bibimbap flavors of egg garnish, bean sprouts, and bracken fern still came through, with minced beef adding savory depth. It's a fusion dish where Korean and Western flavors balance perfectly — Korean food that somehow feels Italian.

Chicken mushroom risotto, ₩23,000

The chicken mushroom risotto (₩23,000) had moist, tender chicken thigh meat, with pickled peppers and yeolmu (young radish greens) scattered throughout to reset your palate and cut the richness. Neungi mushroom, shiitake, and button mushrooms give it a deep mushroom aroma, and whole perilla seeds add a nutty note, making it feel lighter than a typical cream risotto. The combination of mushroom fragrance and nutty perilla lingers in your mouth for a long time — a really flavorful dish.

Galbi ragu pasta in white ragu, ₩23,000

The galbi ragu pasta white ragu (₩23,000) made it clear why it's the signature dish. The alla chitarra fresh pasta had that distinctive chewy, springy texture, and the galbi (short rib) sauce was sweet yet deeply savory. Eating it with kkwarigochu (mild green peppers) balances out the white sauce, so you can enjoy it cleanly without needing jalapeños or pickles.

Who will enjoy a meal at MOI?

MOI serves fusion dining that adds Korean charm to familiar Western dishes. It has a wide variety of Korean-fusion Western dishes made with new sauce combinations that bring out the natural flavors of the ingredients. The wine pairing list recommended by a professional sommelier is also well put together, making it a place I'd love to visit for dinner too.

If you want to spend a special day with someone you care about, or you're looking for a Yeouido restaurant date spot with a great atmosphere, I highly recommend visiting MOI. It's a perfect brunch spot for lunch, and just as perfect for an evening wine gathering.