Jamsil izakaya behind a wooden door: sashimi for two, Motokurashi

The weather is just perfect these days. When you want ttasty food and a calm, quiet chat, where do you all go? Today I'm bringing you a review of Motokurashi, an izakaya (Japanese-style pub) in Songni-dan-gil that I visited recently and totally fell for, a real hideaway kind of place! From the neat plating to the fresh sashimi and the rich pasta, everything at this Jamsil izakaya was well made, so let me introduce it right away.

Where is Motokurashi in Jamsil, and what is the atmosphere like?

Motokurashi is an izakaya on the 2nd floor of a building in a Songni-dan-gil alley. At the building entrance you'll see a tidy standing sign reading "A little Japan in Songni-dan-gil." Head up to the 2nd floor and a warm, atmospheric wooden door welcomes you.

Inside, soft lighting and warm wood interiors made me feel relaxed the moment I walked in. The counter seats and table seats are neatly arranged, so it's a great spot for a date, or just for catching up with a friend over all the things you've been saving to talk about.

What comes in Motokurashi's mixed sashimi platter for two?

🍣 Motokurashi's mixed sashimi platter for two is the signature menu item, with salmon, tuna, white fish, conch and abalone all on one plate. The sashimi platter (for 2) I'd been looking forward to the most finally arrived!

Doesn't it look totally Instagram-worthy? The seasonal fish comes neatly and generously arranged on a round plate, and just looking at it you can tell it's fresh.

• 📍 Salmon & tuna: The thick-cut salmon was rich and soft, and the tuna melted in my mouth without a trace of fishiness.
• 📍 White fish & chewy cuts: The chewy texture was excellent, and the more I chewed, the more I tasted the fish's natural sweetness.
• 📍 Conch & abalone: The conch and abalone, with their delightfully springy bite, were fresh too, and with a dab of wasabi dipped in soy sauce they were the best.

With pickled ginger, rakkyo (pickled shallots), radish sprouts, wasabi and dried radish strips included, I could enjoy it to the very last piece without getting tired of it. If you like sashimi, this is a must-order!

Every piece of sashimi was cut thick, so the texture was really good. The tuna melts in your mouth, and the salmon is soft and clean-tasting through and through! Eating it piece by piece with rakkyo, wasabi and sprouts, I couldn't help thinking of a drink. I could feel the freshness and was very satisfied.

Does Motokurashi's oil-based mentaiko pasta go well with the sashimi?

🍝 Motokurashi's mentaiko (spicy pollock roe) pasta is an oil-based pasta piled high with roe, and it worked well as both a meal and a side dish to go with the sashimi. Sashimi alone felt like slightly too little, so I ordered the mentaiko pasta too.

The pasta came generously heaped in a stylish, deep-set dish! Plenty of roe on the noodles, plus grilled roe, baby greens, shredded seaweed and garlic flakes, all blended together nicely.

With so much roe, it was full of salty, nutty flavor. The baby greens, seaweed and garlic flakes made it nice to chew, and the noodles were pleasantly springy, so paired with the sashimi it was excellent. Mix the roe in well and the richness doubles!

I gave it a good stir and took a bite, and the salty, nutty flavor of the roe popped and soaked nicely into the noodles. It's oil-based but not heavy, just clean, so it really was a great match to eat with the sashimi. If you like that special savory depth of mentaiko, definitely try it!

Motokurashi verdict: is this Jamsil izakaya worth a return visit?

• Taste & quality: From the freshness of the sashimi to the seasoning balance of the pasta, you can feel the care in every dish.
• Atmosphere: A calm, quiet wood-toned room, highly recommended as a Songni-dan-gil date course!
• Would I return: 200%! Next time I want to come back for other side dishes and a highball.

If you're looking in Songni-dan-gil for an izakaya with really good food to go with your drinks, and a hideaway feel to boot, please do visit Motokurashi! ❤️