Jamsil izakaya with white-fish sashimi and mentaiko pasta: Motokurashi

The weather's been gorgeous lately, one autumn day after another! After a loop around Seokchon Lake, I always end up agonizing over where to eat or drink in Songni-dan-gil. I heard there's a place among Jamsil's izakayas that nails both atmosphere and menu quality, so I went to check it out.

Where is Motokurashi on Songni-dan-gil?

Motokurashi, the izakaya everyone's talking about on Songni-dan-gil, sits on the 2nd floor of 27 Baekjegobun-ro 41-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul! It's a great spot to walk to right after a stroll around Seokchon Lake.

Inside Motokurashi: atmosphere and seating

The entrance to Motokurashi is small, so I thought "is this really it...?" — but yes, this is it! The interior has that Japanese aesthetic going strong right from the entrance, so it's great for photos too.

Besides the bar table, there are also 2-top and 4-top tables, so it feels suited to both dates and small gatherings.

Even on a weekday evening, every single table seat was already reserved — that's how popular this spot is on Songni-dan-gil..! I visited using a Naver Reservation myself!

Each table has its own tablet smart-order system, which is a nice perk — no need to flag down staff to order. They're also running a Naver review event, so give that a look too~!

What is on the Motokurashi menu?

Motokurashi keeps its sake list on a separate paper menu. There's a wide range, and the descriptions are friendly enough that it was helpful even for a first-time sake drinker like me.

The set menus pair the moriawase, Motokurashi's signature best-seller, with drinks. The mains include a variety of sashimi as well as warming dishes like Nagasaki champon and oden nabe.

The pasta section had plenty of cream pastas like abalone intestine pasta, and oil-based ones like mentaiko flying fish roe pasta. There was also an option to add baguette for a heartier meal, which I liked.

Side dishes leaned lighter — things like whelk cho-hoe (vinegared raw whelk), mochi tofu, and pomegranate sorbet. For extras, you could add udon or pasta noodles, which seemed made for dishes like the Nagasaki champon soup.

The drinks and beverage menu was extensive too, so I lost track of time just browsing. The menu came with detailed photos and descriptions, which made deciding what to order genuinely easy.

I ordered the moriawase, mentaiko flying fish roe pasta, and a Kelly draft beer.

How was the shiromono white-fish sashimi platter?

Started with the shiromono sashimi set at Motokurashi! It comes with white fish like halibut and sea bream, plus salmon, tuna, and abalone all on one plate.

The colors alone were a work of art — almost too pretty to touch with chopsticks. But the taste was even more of a work of art. The aged white fish was chewy,

and the tuna and salmon melted in my mouth. Paired with wasabi and ponzu sauce, it's the kind of combo that makes the drinks go down way too easily.

A quick squeeze of lemon over the white fish sashimi added a refreshing kick, and the whole plate disappeared in no time.

Mentaiko flying fish roe pasta at Motokurashi

You'd be missing out if you skipped the pasta at Motokurashi. The mentaiko (seasoned pollock roe) and flying fish roe give a fun pop of texture, and the plump mentaiko was grilled just right and used as a topping — the texture combo was genuinely great.

The noodles were nice and springy too, so I ate every last strand.

Does Kelly draft beer pair well with it?

For drinks, of course, Kelly draft beer! That first sip, cold and crisp — ahh~

It went so well with the anju that I kept ordering a second glass, then a third. Their Motoku highball and sake lineup are also varied, so it's easy to pick according to your taste.

The atmosphere in the store was quiet and cozy — perfect for a date or just a low-key drink. The tables were spaced generously too, so I could relax without worrying about the next table over.

Is Motokurashi worth a visit in Jamsil?

If you're looking for an izakaya in Jamsil, or a bar on Songni-dan-gil, I highly recommend Motokurashi.

The sashimi quality was great, and the pasta was so well-executed I had to wonder how an izakaya pulls that off. If you're after a place with a good vibe and delicious anju, remember Motokurashi!