Mokomandyexcellent eclectic foodTried several dishes, all of which were very well prepared. The house made English muffin for the Scallop BLT was exceptional. The Jambalaya was very flavorful, the "Kobe" Carpaccio was very flavorful. I can honestly say that everything was enjoyed and I would highly recommend this restaurant to friends. Also recommend reservations as the place is always busy. Excellent beer list as well.6/17/2013 12:00:00 AMWe love Mokomandy!!!Food is excellent (favorite dish is the Pot Roast Sliders), service is great, fantastic mixed drinks. We've got 2 finiky eater kids and would never have thought we could all go out as a family to a Korean Cajun restaurant, but their kids menu is excellent (really good steak and chicken strips are the two favorites). This restaurant is our go-to for special occasions. We're so happy to have such a great little gem in our neighborhood.6/15/2013 12:00:00 AMWon't Disapoint!The menu is terrific. Love the tapas style dining. Great way to try new things, enjoy favorites from the last visit, and share with the entire table. Jambalya and Korean Scallops are to die for. Seasonal special of soft shell crab is not to be missed. Be sure to make a reservation!6/15/2013 12:00:00 AMgreat findInteresting menu. Love to taste many things. But, we like the option of a full entree for less adventurous diners in our party. We enjoyed everything we tasted: jambalaya, kimchi pancakes, sushi tempura, scallop BLT, jalapeno hush puppies, mac and cheese. Next time will try the noodles and fish of day and more jambalaya!6/14/2013 12:00:00 AMAwesomeMokomandy never disappoints. Drinks are pricy but food is amazing!6/12/2013 12:00:00 AMCajun/Korean fusion, yet it works!This restaurant specializes in small dishes. Quality is uniformly good, although not all dishes will appeal to everyone's taste. Food is categorized by size, so that you can judge how many dishes to order. The smallest is side orders, including mixed fries, kimchi, kimchi pancakes, fire cracker carrots, and others. I love Korean food; this was about the tastiest kimchi I've had. The carrots were the dullest dish that I ordered -- certainly not *bad*, just uninteresting.
The next size up is "small"; 2-4 of these would make a meal. I had an excellent seafood gumbo, grilled oysters, and foie gras dumplings, and enjoyed them all thoroughly. My wife didn't care for the dumpling, although I did.
No room for medium/large. Great beer list.6/11/2013 12:00:00 AMFantastic!I've been to Mokomandy many times and it just keeps getting better.
The Cajun food is among the best anywhere, New Orleans notwithstanding.
I love the small plates format. It allows us the easily order just the right amount
Of food for our group.
Give a try and you'll fall in love with it too.6/10/2013 12:00:00 AMMust goThis restaurant is one on my new favorites. In the middle of a strip mall the last thing you expect to find is an unique restaurant with creative dishes and homemade items all over the menu. I recommend the pot roast sliders, the tiger roll, or possibly the poutine. Quite frankly everything I've had is delicious, I can't wait to try the rest.6/9/2013 12:00:00 AMBeen here three times now,Been here three times now, dining experience gets better each time.6/9/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat place!!The food was excellent, definitely different from anything I've tried around NoVa. The service was awesome. Our server explained everything on the menu and offered some great suggestions. I was pleasantly surprised with how much we enjoyed it. Will be going back very soon!6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMmokomandy=mokoYUMMYI definitely recommend trying numerous small and medium plates and sharing to get the best experience. There are so many delicious choices you won't be able to decide on just one thing anyway. The wait staff is exactly what the standard should be at every restaurant; they know the menu, are friendly and professional, able to make wonderful recommendations and will ensure you have everything you need to enjoy your time dining at Mokomandy.
Their beer selection is extensive so you will definitely find something you will like to complement your meal. YumYum!!6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMHidden GemAnother great restaurant hidden in plain sight in an unassuming strip mall. Visited the restaurant for the first time after good word of mouth from friends, and what a revelation!! A very eclectic fusion of Korean/Cajun food, all of which was presented beautifully and tasted even better! Best Jambalaya ever, and I highly recommend the Cracklings, especially when drinking Beer. Excellent wine/beer list, and fantastic selection of cocktails. The Hurricane ROCKED!! My wife and I are planning to return with some foodie friends very soon!6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMMy new favorite place!I've been to Mokomandy 3 times now and have taken friends. The food and cocktail combinations are creative and delicious! Very unexpected for Sterling. I look forward to returning again and again.6/7/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat time!Took a friend there for her birthday, enjoyed everything.6/7/2013 12:00:00 AMThere were four of us so weThere were four of us so we ordered a lot. Every dish was outstanding.6/7/2013 12:00:00 AMNeighborhood gemNot a burger in sight; adventurous menu but they pull it off.6/7/2013 12:00:00 AMLoved every bite!We ordered a lot, and then a little more. And then we ordered dessert. Everything was fabulous. The hush puppies, the pot roast sliders, the scallops, the étouffée, kimchi pancakes, and the beignets and chicory pudding really hit the spot. Looking forward to next time.6/6/2013 12:00:00 AMJackieBrunch was Great!, Server was very good, personable and sincere. Coffee good.6/2/2013 12:00:00 AMExceptional MenuWe always enjoy our time at Mokomandy. The atmosphere is pleasant. The food is excellent with many interesting choices.
The only complaint we have with the service is that the entrée came before we were finished with the appetizer. Otherwise the staff is attentive and very friendly.6/2/2013 12:00:00 AMGood time. Helpful servers.Good time. Helpful servers. Good food. Fun to order numerous small plates and experiment.6/2/2013 12:00:00 AMDelicious, creative foodI had heard great things about this place but was skeptical. Korean and Creole? Fine dining in Sterling, VA? Nothing added up. But I went and absolutely loved it. The Wagyu carpaccio melts in your mouth. The Korean pot roast sliders were amazing (another thing I was skeptical of). Foie gras dumplings were rich and delicious. Modern Koren scallops are a MUST -- cooked perfectly, sweet scallops, tender, with perfect accompaniments.
Great wine list and wonderful cocktails, too. I had a Black Rose Fizz that was perfectly balanced.
Stop putting it off like I did and go enjoy yourself.
The service was a little slow but we were with another couple and in no rush, so it didn't bother me.6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent small platesSuperb small / medium plates. Food was very imaginative and a wide range of options. Best choice is to think of it like a tapas bar; try everything. Drink menus was great. Large choice of beers and very imaginative cocktail menu. Great service. Overall a very good and unique dining experience.5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMAnother good experienceWe brought along some friends for dinner. Everything was great from the beer and cheese plate to the boar bowl. Always have a sazerac as well because they are so good here.5/27/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways a Great MealMokomandy always provides a great experience for dinner. The food is always different and always good...the Kale Chips, Deviled Eggs, SSam, Korean Scallops, and Jambalia were exceptional this evening. The Chicken and beer was good, the chips with the chicken were some of the best we ever had.5/27/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways great!Mokomandy's is turning into a favorite go-to place for us. We love the portion-size options that allows for sharing and experiencing the wonderful mix of flavors that are featured at the cozy Korean and Cajun restaurant. The beer list is very upscale and it is easy to find a great pairing that will go with the wonderful food flavors. The shrimp and grits and Korean beef offerings were especially tasty and the staff was wonderful. We will definately go back again.5/26/2013 12:00:00 AMFirst timeWe really enjoyed the different cuisines that were presented and have every intention of returning. Of course, some dishes were more to our liking than others, but that is a function of personal preference, not quality of preparation or presentation. All in all, a very good experience.5/26/2013 12:00:00 AMWish there was a six-star rating!Attention foodies! Mokomandy is a true "find" in Sterling, VA. Mokomandy could hold its own on Madison Avenue, Rodeo Drive, or Worth Avenue! The cuisine is exceptional, healthy, and utterly delicious. As a food blogger and hospitality professional in the Washington, D.C. area, Mokomandy is my go-to restaurant when I want the best of wine, spectacular appetizers, and perfectly prepared entreés and desserts. Owner and Executive Chef Thaddeus Kim is, in my opinion, one of the most creative chefs in the country. The service is excellent. Make reservations via OpenTable. A packed restaurant on a Tuesday night means something good is happening here! Five stars are not enough for Mokomandy. I need six.5/21/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Unique Eatsthe menu at Mokomandy is eclectic to say the least... great combinations, unique food... delicious5/20/2013 12:00:00 AMDefinitely worth the tripWe live in Bethesda, 30 minutes away, and would driving to Mokomandy than eating in downtown Bethesda and not just because of the parking hassles. The food is novel, tasty, and relatively cheap. We've gone 3X in 4 weeks, took friends last time, and plan to visit again. Our friends really enjoyed it, too. And the service was extremely good -- competent, timely, but not pushy.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat foodFirst time at Mokomandy and had a great experience. Owner out chatting with customers, service excellent. Very slow night only a few diners so can't say how they handle crowds. Very inventive drink and food menu. Will definitely go again.5/13/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfect Place to DineI generally am not into avant -garde or innovative food or menus. However, I must make an exception here. Mokomandy serves an interesting and quite tasty mix of Korean (both traditional and new) entrees and Cajun (both traditional and new) entrees. Excellent mix! Moreover, the decor is contemporary. In sum, I will certainly dine there again and I will recommend Mokomandy to my friends and relatives.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMVery accommodating and casualOur waiter never made us feel rushed even though place was full. I brought my 2 boys for an early Mother's Day dinner.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMKorean food with a twistDon't compare Mokomandy's prices to an average Korean restaurant, you are paying much more. We (family of 6) went to celebrate a birthday and wanted to try something new. The menu items were a good mix of cajun and korean but very few of the items were actually mixed together. There were cajun items (jambalaya) and korean items (short ribs). The food was tasty and well presented.
The staff were hard to grab, we had to wait a long time to give our orders. But they were friendly.
Their dessert menu was very tempting, with very unique items (ie: mochi cake). I would definitely go back but only for a special occasion.5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMSurprise on a Sunday afternoonHave been here for dinners previously but went for brunch. What a class act. Ordered a Bloody Mary and learned they make their own mix with roasted tomatoes..it was incredible. Another ember of our party ordered the "bottomless mimosa" - again incredble with fresh squeezed OJ. And, as usual the food was off the chart. We'll be back:)5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMDeliciousWe had a wonderful time at Mokomandy. We had a group and so shared numerous items on the menu. We are still dreaming about their scallops, bulgogi and jambalaya. The service was fantastic - our server noticed we weren't eating much of one item and took it off our ticket. It was the only disappointment - everything else was fantastic! We will definitely be back.5/1/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat gumbo!!!Big oysters in gumbo! Great Cajun food! Vege friendly as well!4/30/2013 12:00:00 AMImpressedI try to eat here whenever I come to N Virginia. Each time I Am more impressed than the last time. I really like the opportunity to try more than one dish. At most restaurants I can only eat a main dish because ordering an additional starter is too much food. At Mokomandy, I can order a small and a medium plate and the portions are just right. Three are too many excellent choices on the menu to have to choose only one. I love all the cajun style food.4/29/2013 12:00:00 AMSome people think that thisSome people think that this is a fusion restaurant. It isn't. Mokomandy makes great Korean, Cajun, and French Bistro fare. The menu changes with the seasons, so even if you're a regular customer, there's always something new to try. The small plates work well for sharing and getting to try many different foods. Their mixed drinks are awesome - whether it's a standard Vodka martini to one of their specialty cocktails. I've been there for girls' night out, dinner date, and with my family. The staff is friendly and attentive.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMVery unique menu. We likedVery unique menu. We liked the tapas-style approach so that we could have a wide selection of dishes.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was our fourth time eatingThis was our fourth time eating at Mokomandy & food was as great as the first time we ever ate here. It always such a treat to go here & try new things, knowing that is will undoubtedly be good. We also appreciate the fact there is some real thought that goes into both the beer & wine list. We look forward to our next visit!4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMFiirst time there and thoughtFiirst time there and thought it was fabulous. Still a hidden gem, definitely will return and tell all my foodie friends about.4/23/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was excellent, exceptThe food was excellent, except for the fact that almost every dish was very oily. We would love to return but will do so only if we can be assured that the kitchen can cut the fat by 50% or more.4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was my third time atThis was my third time at Mokomandy and the only criticism I have is that you MUST have reservations - which is good for the restaurant. The food is always of very high quality and consisent. I recommend Mokomandy to everyone and nobody has been disappointed.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMMokomandy has the feel ofMokomandy has the feel of a jet-set trendy restaurant. The ambiance is modern, the space is small (few tables gives it exclusivity), the staff operate like ants to an anthill. The tapas was unique and flavorful, portions were moderate, and the next dish was in front of us as we were finishing the previous dish.
This is not a restaurant to bring kids. There's just not enough room and there didn't appear to be anything ordinary on the menu.
The cost for two of us, with 2 drinks and 2 desserts, was $100. It's what I expected and we both left feeling full and more than satisfied with our experience.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMA Wonderful Dining ExperienceWonderful Cajun food that authentically captures New Orleans at its best. The Korean dishes were eye-openers that expanded my horizons. Mokomandy is rapidly becoming one of my favorite dining spots.4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMunusual type food - wellunusual type food - well prepared - well presented - tasty - will return and will recommend4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMDate Night!Moko never fails me. By far my favorite place in NOVA!!!!!! AMAZING FOOD AND AMAZING SERVICE!4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMAmazing FoodThis is my second visit here and Mokomandy just keeps getting better and better. This time I brought my parents who are very picky eaters and they loved it. Everything was great and that is saying something since we ordered A LOT OF FOOD. My favorite was the surf and turf, which may have included the single best piece of steak I have ever had. The Foie Gras Dumplings and Shrimp Etoufee were also stand outs.
The only negative is that the service is not at all rapid and so if you order in slapdash way (like we did) you can spend rather a lot of time waiting for the next plate. This is kind of the way of small plate restaurants though and not really a fault. My parents, not being aware of this however, noted it a number of times.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMHands down, this is my favoriteHands down, this is my favorite restaurant in Sterling...maybe in the metro area.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMIts hard to believe that thisIts hard to believe that this restaurant isn't in DC but how happy I am that it isn't, there's no beltway traffic to contend with and then the feverish persuit of a parking space, there's ample parking as part of this strip mall but don't be fooled by its location, the food is amazing! The kale chips, kimchi pancakes and the pot roast sliders were all incredible - the wild boar bowl, shrimp and grits and steak frites were truly wonderful as were the beignets! Its a small space so reservations are crucial but we have also found the best spot to be the bar, which is also reservable.4/7/2013 12:00:00 AM