Seokchon Lake izakaya: abalone cream pasta and baguette, Motokurashi

I had an errand near Seokchonhosu Lake in Songpa recently, so I finally checked out Motokurashi, a place I'd had my eye on for a while! The vibe was great and the sashimi was genuinely fresh, and the pairing of snacks and drinks was perfect — so here's a detailed review for anyone looking for an izakaya bar in Songpa ~.~

Where is Motokurashi, and where do you park?

Motokurashi sits near Seokchon Station, where Lines 8 and 9 meet! It's also really close to Seokchonhosu Lake, making it a perfect spot for a weekend or evening date. It's also a good pick if you're bar-hunting near Lotte World Mall in Jamsil, since it's on the way.

As for parking, there's no dedicated lot for the restaurant itself, so if you're driving, use a nearby public or private parking lot!!

Inside Motokurashi: through the second-floor wooden door

Motokurashi is located on the 2nd floor of the building! Climb the stairs and you're met with a quiet wooden door that feels like you've stepped into a trip to Japan — just push it open and walk in! Once inside, the atmospheric dachi (bar counter) seats come into view first, and beyond the sliding door are hall tables perfect for private, cozy conversation!

It's been a while since I've been able to travel to Japan, so it was so satisfying to get that genuine Japanese izakaya feeling again after so long! The lighting is soft and the whole interior mood is just right for drinking, so it's ideal for a date with a partner or a night out with someone special!

Motokurashi menu and prices

Here's a rundown of the menu at Motokurashi, a favorite spot in Songni-dan-gil!

Sashimi at Motokurashi

• Motoku Moriawase (HIT!): ₩38,000 (fresh seasonal sashimi with halibut, sea bream, salmon and more)
• White fish sashimi: ₩35,000 (fresh white fish prepared same-day)
• Salmon sashimi: ₩30,000 (Superior-grade raw Norwegian salmon)
• White fish with mentaiko (seasoned pollock roe) mix: ₩34,000 (a specialty snack tossed with mentaiko)
• Salmon-jang, salmon marinated in soy sauce (served with 2 bowls of rice / HIT!): ₩32,000 (signature dish with a special soy sauce)
• Halibut carpaccio: ₩27,000

Pasta at Motokurashi

• Abalone innard cream pasta (HIT!): ₩21,000 (deep, rich cream pasta)
• Truffle scallop cream pasta: ₩21,000
• Mentaiko flying fish roe pasta (HIT!): ₩18,500 (Japanese-style pasta with an aglio olio base)
• Basil pesto vongole: ₩18,500

Salads and nabe (hot pot)

• Beef tataki (HIT!): ₩25,000 (prime flat iron beef tataki)
• Raw salmon salad / Caprese salad: ₩19,500 / ₩18,000
• Dongjuk clam sultang (clam and soju broth) (HIT!): ₩23,000
• Odeng (fish cake) nabe / Nagasaki champon / Akakara (spicy) champon: ₩21,000 ~ ₩23,500

Sides and extra options

• Whelk vinegar salad / low-sodium grilled mentaiko / hiyashi kurumi (candied walnuts) / mochi tofu / pomegranate sherbet
• Extra baguette (+₩4,000), extra noodles (+₩3,000), sajo laver (+₩1,500)

We ordered the signature Motoku Moriawase sashimi platter and the abalone innard cream pasta, plus an extra baguette!

How much food should two people order?

We came as a couple and had the sashimi platter and the abalone innard cream pasta, and wow, we were truly stuffed by the end!ㅠㅋㅋㅋ The portions were way bigger than expected, and every single snack was so delicious we ended up inhaling it all!

Motoku Moriawase sashimi platter, 38,000 won

The sashimi itself was genuinely fresh and the variety was solid, and interestingly it came with chewy items like whelk mixed in too, so there was a nice range of textures — we really enjoyed it!

Why the abalone innard cream pasta needs the extra baguette

And for the abalone innard cream pasta, you absolutely have to add the baguette! You dip it into the sauce, and the baguette had a slightly sweet garlic-bread taste, so even eaten plain it was crispy and delicious! The pasta itself had abalone cut into it, so every bite had this amazing chewiness! And the noodle portion was seriously huge!! At this price, with this quality and quantity, this is genuinely great value for an izakaya bar in Jamsil!!

The vibe of the place is full of character and everything we ordered was a hit, so I really want to recommend this for a date in Songni-dan-gil!! It's perfect for a casual drink after work or for a couple looking for good food together haha.

What drinks does Motokurashi pour?

Motokurashi has a really wide range of drinks, from Ilpum Jinro soju to highballs and other unusual options, so there's plenty of fun in choosing what to drink! If you're after an izakaya bar in Songni-dan-gil or a good-vibe bar with great snacks, definitely give Motokurashi a try!