Situated at the luxe Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, this spectacular new culinary destination promises a unique dining experience, blending the soul of Seoul with world class steaks and innovative beverages.
What’s the Concept?
Situated in the heart of Palm West Beach, Smoki Moto invites diners into a dynamic space featuring cutting-edge charcoal grills at every table. These state-of-the-art grills, skillfully tended by Smoki Moto’s chefs, create the perfect backdrop for an engaging and interactive dining experience. Rooted in tradition with a modern twist, Smoki Moto embraces the essence of Korean cuisine, with the restaurant’s name symbolising charcoal and grill (“Smoki”) and a bull, the beloved mascot (“Moto”) of the Smoki Moto brand.
What’s’ the Interior Like?
The interiors showcase a captivating blend of sultry and authentic aesthetics, exuding a cool downtown Seoul vibe. Modern artwork, captivating graffiti, and nods to Korean pop culture add to the ambiance. Whether you’re looking for a casual drink at Smoki Moto’s bar, known for its highballs and soju-infused cocktails, or a leisurely slow-grilled evening meal, the restaurant caters to all. Private dining options are also available for larger parties and special events.
It’s a diverse and immersive dining experience through its distinct spaces, including the Butcher Shop upon arrival, a lounge, cocktail bar, Korean pancake bar, and the main table grill area. These areas collectively create a dynamic and multi-experiential environment, allowing guests to engage with various facets of Korean culinary culture. The terrace provides a breathtaking view of West Beach, creating a picturesque backdrop for an unforgettable dining experience, especially during sunset.
To enhance the overall ambiance, Smoki Moto introduces a unique music direction featuring Nu-Disco, Groove, Soulful House, and Vinyl elements. This eclectic musical selection, combined with the outdoor bar vibe, establishes Smoki Moto as a go-to spot for late-night funk enthusiasts. The venue stays open until 2 am on weekends, offering a vibrant nightlife experience against the backdrop of Dubai’s stunning West Palm waterfront.
What’s on Offer to Drink?
In the realm of beverages, Smoki Moto stands out as a mixology end point. The expertly crafted cocktails and mocktails, along with a dedicated Soju wall, showcase the venue’s commitment to innovative and exclusive drink offerings. The in-house collection of Soju cocktails, featuring unique mixes formulated by Smoki Moto, adds a distinctive touch to the bar experience. With a focus on social content creation and a golden hour ambiance on the terrace, patrons can enjoy their drinks while witnessing the sun setting over Dubai’s picturesque West Palm waterfront.
What about the Food Menu?
Distinguished as a unique steakhouse experience, the restaurant sets itself apart from traditional Korean BBQ by focusing on a steak-centric menu. With a team of eight skilled Korean chefs, Smoki Moto takes pride in showcasing world-class ingredients, homemade fermented kimchi, and expertly crafted Soju cocktails. The menu predominantly features various cuts of steak, emphasising quality and precision in preparation, with a sharing-style approach reminiscent of Asian family dining.
A standout feature is their renowned dry-aging techniques, including butter dry age, kelp (seaweed), and sugar-cured methods. Steaks are expertly prepared on bespoke charcoal grills at high temperatures, ensuring a personalised touch and delivering a distinctive and memorable flavour profile. The comprehensive Butcher Shop menu offers Korean-style marinated short ribs, grain- and grass-fed beef, as well as dry-aged and Wagyu meat for tabletop grills.
Beyond steaks, the menu includes authentic Korean dishes such as tuna gimbap, kimchi pancakes, and bibimbap stone bowls with foie gras and rice. Korean soups and stews, such as doenjang jjigae and tteokguk, enrich the dining experience with diverse flavours. Smoki Moto’s pancake station adds an element of fun, allowing guests to indulge in authentic Korean street food. Inclusivity is a priority, with the menu offering diverse options for vegans, vegetarians, and those with various dietary preferences.
Sean Sungwook Hong, Assistant General Manager, expresses the significance of Smoki Moto in Dubai’s culinary landscape, stating, “The launch of Smoki Moto signifies a pivotal moment in Dubai’s culinary story. Our vision is to dominate the Korean steakhouse market, captivating patrons with an authentic yet modern approach. At Smoki Moto, we tear up the rule book on tradition and guide you through an unfiltered journey into the chaotic heart of Korean culinary excellence.”
This is one steakhouse that’s definitely proving its chops are a cut above the rest.
Smoki Moto is open 7 days a week from 5:00pm to 1:00am from Monday to Thursday and 5:00pm to 2:00pm from Friday to Sunday, at Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, Dubai. For reservations please email reservations@smokimotodubai.com or call +971 4 666 1430 (31).
