Day 83 of eating at 100 Asian restaurants in Maryland, and this stop sent me straight to Highlandtown. The owners are so humble about everything. They actually told me there is nothing “particularly special” about their food. I respectfully disagree, you guys. Everything we tried, from a bulgogi pizza to Korean banana milk ice cream, was really delicious, and the setting alone makes this one worth the trip. If you’re still building out your list of the best Asian restaurants in Baltimore, go ahead and pencil this one in.
On the Thai side of that list, Mayuree Thai Tavern in Canton is a solid Baltimore pick with great pad thai and massaman curry.
What This Highlandtown Korean Restaurant Is Known For
Motte sits in the former Boiler Room space, and the team kept that big, moody, character-filled feel. The dining room’s the kind of spot where you walk in planning to grab a quick bite and end up staying way longer than you meant to. There is a full bar, plenty of seating, and a beautiful courtyard out back with tons of outdoor seating. PS. the courtyard’s dog-friendly, so your pup can hang out while you eat.
The food’s Korean with a fun twist, which puts it right in line with the wave of exciting spots making Baltimore such a great food city right now. You will find comforting Korean staples sitting next to playful surprises like a bulgogi pizza, plus a banana milk ice cream made in collaboration with Taharka Brothers. They also do live music, so check their Instagram before you go to see what is on the calendar. For more on the space and its story, Baltimore Magazine has a great write-up.
What to Order at Motte
We worked our way through a good chunk of the menu, and here are the dishes I would tell any Nomster to order.
Crispy Fried Shrimp Balls ($15)
Start here. These are crisped to golden perfection with a juicy shrimp center, and they come with oyster sauce, spicy mayo, and green onion. A must to kick off your meal. Get an order (…or 3) to share.
Bibimbop ($20)
They don’t offer stone pot bibimbop here, but don’t let that stop you, because this version’s delicious. It comes packed with various veggies and a housemade gochujang that’s very tasty. If you’re the type who chases Korean comfort food across the state (guilty), it holds its own against the bowls on my list of the best Korean restaurants in Maryland.
Motte Pizza ($20)
A bulgogi pizza? Say less. This one comes loaded with bulgogi and other veggies, and the crust is really nice. It’s one of the dishes I keep telling people about…because where else are you getting something like this?!
Spicy Chicken Tteokbokki ($25)
Pan fried gochujang chicken with Korean rice cakes and different veggies, and the flavor’s great with a good amount of heat. The rice cakes are nice and bouncy, exactly how I want them, and the whole thing is a lovely for sharing.
Banana Milk Ice Cream
Please get this if they have it. I used to LOVE Korean banana milk as a kid, and I still do tbh, lol. It was one of my guilty pleasures growing up, so I was super excited to see it on the menu here as ice cream. I can’t remember the exact price, so double-check when you order, but it’s a sweet, nostalgic way to close things out.
The Vibe and Experience
The space is a whole mood, you guys. Between the courtyard, the full bar, and the live music nights, it works just as well for a laid-back dinner as it does for a date night or a group hang. We were lucky enough to be hosted, and the Motte team could not have been more gracious, taking real time to meet with us and walk us through the menu. That kind of care comes through in both the food and the room. If you want to keep exploring the region’s Korean scene after this, my guide to Korean food in Howard County is a good next stop.
If you want to build a full Baltimore date night, the Walters Art Museum in Mount Vernon is free and makes for a lovely afternoon stop before you head over for dinner.
Good to Know
- Location: 1 N Haven St, Suite E, Baltimore, MD 21224 (Highlandtown).
- Hours: Tuesday to Thursday 5 to 10PM, Friday 5PM to 12AM, Saturday 12PM to 12AM, Sunday 5 to 10PM. Closed Monday.
- Phone: (443) 835-4052.
- Reservations: Accepted (book through Resy, Toast, or the Motte website).
- Parking: On-site parking lot.
- Drinks: Full bar.
- Outdoor seating: Dog-friendly courtyard (seasonal, so check ahead in cooler months).
- Also good to know: Takeout is available, the space is wheelchair accessible, and there is live music on select nights (check their Instagram).
- Pricing: Roughly $6 to $18 for starters, $15 to $20 for pizzas and sandwiches, and $20 to $35 for Korean mains.
So, Is Motte Worth A Visit?
For me, it’s an easy yes. This Highlandtown Korean restaurant pulls off the rare trick of being a true neighborhood hangout and a destination at the same time, with food that is way more than “nothing particularly special.” Come for the shrimp balls and the bulgogi pizza, stay for the courtyard and the banana milk ice cream, and bring your floof while you’re at it.
Have you guys been to Motte yet? Let me know by commenting below, Nomsters!