🇨🇦 Saskatoon’s Hidden Korean-Japanese Fusion Gem:

🇨🇦 Saskatoon’s Hidden Korean-Japanese Fusion Gem: : Moto Kitchen + Bar – A Valentine’s Day Surprise When a casual craving for Korean-Japanese fare leads to an unexpectedly refined tasting menu experience, you know you’ve stumbled upon something special. Moto Kitchen + Bar, tucked discreetly across from Midtown Mall in downtown Saskatoon, revealed itself as far more than just another Asian fusion spot during a recent visit. Though constrained by a holiday prix-fixe menu, the flashes of brilliance in their dishes – particularly the ethereal steamed egg and melt-in-your-mouth pork belly – suggest this is a venue worth revisiting on a regular menu day. Here’s the full breakdown of this culinary sleeper hit. First Impressions: Downtown Chic Meets Asian Fusion Moto’s ambiance strikes an intriguing balance between urban lounge and intimate eatery: The Space: • Lighting: Moody with pendant lights casting pools of gold over dark tables • Seating: Leather banquettes and a sleek bar with views of the open kitchen • Valentine’s Twist: Rose petals scattered on tables (likely temporary) Service Notes: • Prix-Fixe Reality: Only 3 set menus offered (65/85/$110) • Wine Pairings: Surprisingly thoughtful for an Asian fusion spot • Bread Surprise: Received complimentary miso-infused focaccia (unexpected but delicious) Pro Tip: The chef’s counter seats (4 total) offer kitchen theater views. The Meal: Where Korean Soul Meets Japanese Precision 1. Chawanmushi (Steamed Egg) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A dish that transported me straight to childhood: • Texture: Like savory crème brûlée – wobbling but never watery • Umami Layers: • Dashi Base: Kelp and bonito depth • Hidden Treasure: Lump crab meat at the bottom • Fish Roe: Bursting briny pops (reminiscent of beloved fish roe memories) Cultural Connection: This wasn’t just steamed egg – it was Korean gyeran jjim crossed with Japanese chawanmushi, achieving hybrid perfection. 2. Braised Pork Belly ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The "pork belly" terminology debate aside, this was stellar: • Texture: Fork-tender, fat rendered to silk • Glaze: Gochujang-honey with mirin brightness • Pairing: Pickled daikon cut the richness perfectly Language Aside: Yes, it’s– but "pork belly" suffices in English menus. 3. Main Event: Korean BBQ Platter ⭐️⭐️⭐️½ Solid but unspectacular: • Galbi (Short Rib): Well-marinated but slightly over-charred • Bulgogi: Classic sweet-savory profile • Lettuce Wraps: Fresh but needed more perilla leaves 4. Udon Finale ⭐️⭐️⭐️ A safe but forgettable closer: • Broth: Standard kombu dashi • Noodles: Chewy but not house-made • Toppings: Thinly sliced fish cake (uninspired) Why This Place Intrigues 1. Technique Over Fusion Gimmicks Unlike many "Asian fusion" spots that rely on novelty, Moto shows: • Real Knife Skills: Uniform brunoise in all garnishes • Proper Fermentation: House-made kimchi served on request 2. Ingredient Sourcing Notable finds: • Saskatchewan Pork: Used in the belly dish • BC Spot Prawns: In the $110 tasting menu (per IG teasers) 3. The Unexplored Regular Menu Based on Google Images, we missed: • Truffle Japchae • Uni Carbonara (?!?) • Whole Fried Snapper The Verdict: A Diamond in the Rough Rating (10-point scale): Category Score Notes Standout Dishes 9.5 Egg & belly were sublime Consistency 7 Some items just okay Ambiance 8.5 Sexy but not stuffy Value 7 $85 for uneven experience Must-Return For: • That steamed egg as an à la carte appetizer • To try the regular menu’s Korean fried chicken • Their sake list (spotted rare Yamada Nishiki bottles) Skip Next Time: • Prix-fixe menus (unless truly special) • Basic noodle finales Insider Intel: 1. Happy Hour: 3-6pm features $7 soju cocktails 2. Secret Menu: Ask about the "chef’s omakase" (8 courses, $120) 3. Parking: Use Midtown Mall’s underground after 6pm 📍 Location: 222 2nd Ave S (across from Midtown) ⏰ Hours: Tue-Sat 11:30am-10pm (bar till midnight) 📸 Instagram Gold: Their #MotoBowl hashtag reveals unreal dishes SaskatoonEats #KoreanFood #JapaneseFusion #HiddenGems