You can find a bibimbap on almost every corner of Berlin – but at this place run by Whisu Yu and Sun Kyoung Ahn, you’ll find some very unusual desserts besides the Korean classics. Moamoa, located on Breslauer Platz in Friedenau, is both restaurant and cafe. With an aroma of freshly cooked rice and kimchi, the space features a wooden counter behind which almost everything is prepared. In summer, the space expands with outdoor seating. Bingsu ice cream is something you rarely find in Berlin, but it is a traditional dessert in Korea. Based on water and condensed milk, this ice cream has a shaved texture created by a special machine. The bingsu is garnished with a wide range of toppings: matcha powder, red, sweet bean paste, soy bean powder, nuts and/or mango. Croffles, meanwhile, are a somewhat newer trend. Made of croissant dough shaped into a waffle, these treats are served with vanilla ice cream and grated sweet brown cheese. If you prefer savory dishes you can choose between gimbap rolls, Korean soups and bibimbap.
Particular emphasis is placed on traditional cooking and preparation: the owners sought to stick as closely as possible to family recipes, meaning the kimchi and the chilli powder for fermenting the Chinese cabbage and radish are both homemade. For the latter, the pair pick, dry and grind the pods themselves. Moamoa means “to gather” and that is exactly what is done here: gathering and curating culture. So, if you’re in the mood for tradition but also something new, then stop by Moamoa. We advise you to come with a big appetite: you’ll need room for the unusual and delicious desserts!
Text & Photos: Robyn Steffen
Moamoa, Hauptstr.81, 12159 Berlin–Friedenau; map
Tue–Thu 11h30–19h, Fri–Sun 11h30–21h
@moamoa.berlin
