Moto Korean / Japanese Kitchen + Bar — Restaurant in Saskatoon

Moto Japanese Kitchen + Bar is an absolute gem! From the moment we stepped in, we were treated to an exceptional dining experience. For starters, we enjoyed the Cauliflower Tempura with Sweet Chili. It was a perfect balance of lightness and spice, with a light tempura coating.

For our mains, we indulged in the Sukiyaki Beef Hot Pot, Blue Fin Tuna Sashimi, and Lobster Roll Sushi. The Hot Pot was a standout, featuring a deep, rich beef broth that was incredibly satisfying. The Blue Fin Tuna Sashimi was another highlight—each piece was as fresh and soft as butter. The Lobster Roll Sushi was delicious and beautifully presented.

While Uni was unavailable during our visit, our waiter assured us that it is a must-try, and we'll be sure to call ahead next time to ensure we get to experience it. Speaking of our waiter, he was fantastic—very friendly and knowledgeable. He took the time to explain the menu, offer excellent recommendations, and help us decide on the perfect amount of food to order.

We also learned that Moto shares the same ownership as the nearby Sushi Raku but is positioned as the higher-end option. Based on our experience, Moto certainly lives up to its reputation with top-notch food and outstanding service. We can't wait to return and explore more...

Overpriced with a Disappointing Tipping Expectation...

We were excited to try Moto Korean Kitchen, as the food was genuinely good. The marinades were excellent and the flavors were spot on. However, we found the portions to be quite small, especially for the high price point. We were told prices had recently increased, and it feels like the value just isn't there anymore.

The most shocking part of our visit came at the end. After paying and choosing not to leave a tip (as we cooked the food ourselves and believe tipping should be optional), the cashier asked us. She asked if there was a problem with the service or if we wanted something else, because we "didn't give any tip." This interaction made us feel incredibly uncomfortable and upset. We were just saying goodnight and she seemed genuinely upset about the tip.

While the food tasted good, the high prices and this poor customer service experience at the end of our meal made for a very disappointing visit. Tipping should not be demanded, and a customer should never be made to feel...

Depressingly mediocre, or even just outright poor. While the ambience and atmosphere was nice, the food itself left much to be desired. I had the tonkatsu which was extremely dry, as well as the agedashi tofu which was passable (but very lacking compared to others I've had). Yet despite the low-effort food, the price is absolutely ridiculous.

At a table of only 6, the food all came out at fairly different times, and when some of it did finally come out (like my tonkatsu) it was cold.

Then, when paying, they had the audacity to charge 20% surcharge without even asking. I take issue with restaurants that tack on a surcharge for tables of certain sizes, perhaps for a party of 10+ I could understand, but a 20% surcharge for a group of 6 is absurd.

If I eat somewhere, I expect that I have the opportunity to tip what I think the service was worth, not stuck footing an extra 20% for a cold piece of pork because of some fine print on the menu somewhere.

Do your wallet a...