Many people in my age range (50’s) don’t understand the merits of Twitter and Instagram. I, on the other hand, am obsessed. I turn to Twitter to stay informed of local and national news, to connect with DC’s food community, and to follow the 140-character musings of some of my favorite celebrities. Instagram, the photo-sharing site, is a bit voyeuristic. I check it periodically (or maybe more) mostly to see where the people I follow are dining, and to gawk over the beauty of their photographed food. My “feed” has been known to induce severe cravings.
My Instagram photo of bibimbap at Korean restaurant Moa in Rockville recently led to food-envy from fellow bloggers Jennifer of Savory Simple and Linah of Linah’s List. The comments section of my photo becomes a forum for us to make plans to return there together for lunch.
The decor at Moa is simple. There are clunky wooden tables and bench seats. Post-it notes line the walls. Moa isn’t about the atmosphere or the service, which can be aloof. The allure here is compelling Korean cuisine.
I’ve had the seafood pancake on three out of my four visits to the restaurant. A Moa meal now feels incomplete without it. The giant-sized pancake is thin and crispy, filled with shrimp and squid, and accompanied by a sweet and slightly spicy dipping sauce. This dish alone merits a visit to Moa.
seafood pancake
One of the most popular dishes is Dol Sot Bibimbap. Served in a stone bowl, it’s an irresistible piping-hot blend of marinated beef short ribs, spinach, carrots, zucchini, and bean sprouts. A fried egg tops the dish. It’s pure delight to swirl the ingredients together with chopsticks, and then dig in to retrieve some of the crunchy rice that forms at the bottom of the bowl.
bibimbap by Jennifer Farley
My latest visit includes an order of Shrimp Bokkeumbap, which is a basic fried rice with shrimp, peas and carrots, and egg. It’s a perfect dish for an unadventurous eater, which means it’s a little bland for my taste. It benefits from a dousing of the gochujang spicy sauce that accompanies the bibimbap.
shrimp bokkeumbap
Moa sits on a quiet street in an industrial neighborhood in Rockville. The remote location makes it easy to forget, but it’s much better to remember. If it takes a tweet, a Facebook mention, an Instagram photo, or even a blog post to get you there…so be it. It’s just another great example of the benefits of social media.
*Moa rocks with its Facebook page, Post a check-in, and benefit from a discount on your meal.
Washington Post article by Tim Carman: “The $20 Diner: Moa in Rockville channels 30 years of Korean home-style cooking”
Follow me on Twitter: @foodobsessed6 and Instagram: beenthereeatenthat
Lori, this Korean restaurant sounds great, we’re thinking of a DC trip in winter so we’ll put it on the list! Keep at this great project!
Jason- so many great restaurants to try here. hope we’ll get a chance to dine together!
Lori – You are my “go to” person for all the great food that hides in niches and corners around the DC area. This one looks like a gem. Can’t wait to get there. If you do a lunch with Jen, let me know and maybe I can join you.
Thank you Laura- I am honored. Hope we can lunch sometime soon!
I’ve been to Moa at the suggestion of Tim Carman and agree it’s worth a visit and the seafood pancake is a must order. We also had some interesting Korean wine there–don’t know what it was because the label was in Korean but we enjoyed it! Always love your restaurant recs, Lori.
Thank you Aviva! Korean wine sounds interesting. Don’t think I’ve had the pleasure!
The food looks so fresh! What’s your favorite Korean dish? Share it on your besty list! http://www.thebesty.com/beenthereeatenthat