moto-i — Restaurant in Minneapolis

I’ve been wanting to try this place for 2 years but my boyfriend who has been here before said the food was just okay and it was a little Pricey. I wanted to try it for myself so I booked us a reservation. Unfortunately we still had to wait 15 minutes to be seated, but it was Friday night so that’s understandable. We got some sake—great sake—and fried rice to start. The fried rice (without addition of a protein) was about $18. It was really solid fried rice but I’ve had better… for cheaper. Fried rice is delicious but $18 for regular egg fried rice is iffy. We also got chicken ramen, For $22. That was good. I prefer other types of ramen like miso or tonkatsu, but my bf really wanted this one so we gave it a go. It was fine, but again… I’ve had better for cheaper. (I like Tenka, Kazama, or in 3rd rank Kyuramen). The sake and cocktails we got were delicious but the food was just meh. It was good and fine but for both of us not worth the price. We’ve had better ramen for $15 and better fried rice for $12. The server was probably just stressed and tired at 8:30pm on a Friday, but there wasn’t the sense of… my server cares about us. I’ve worked at a mid level restaurants where the service is better, despite cheaper prices and less refined atmosphere. Again, maybe our server was having a bad day, but it’s unfortunate that we feel like we missed out because on the “amazing service” mentioned in other comments. This was my boyfriend’s second try at moto-i, with different menu items, and he still agrees that’s it’s decent but just not worth the price. I’m glad I got to eat some decent food but if you’re thinking of going here or somewhere else (like tenka or kazama) I’d recommended somewhere else with more affordable prices and food reviews, even if it means sacrifice some of the atmospheric vibes. All this being said—I would go back just to sit at the bar and grab a drink or two. But wouldn’t spend the...

Moto-i has carved out a unique identity in the Minneapolis dining scene as the first sake brewpub in the U.S., it offers something you won’t find anywhere else in town. It’s casual but stylish, with a laid-back vibe that makes it equally suited for a weeknight bite or a lively group hang. The rooftop is a huge bonus in the warmer months, offering a great view and atmosphere without the attitude.

The house-brewed sake is the main event here. It’s fresh, clean, and always a fun talking point if you're with folks who haven’t had much experience with sake. Flights are a great way to sample the different styles, and the staff is usually happy to walk you through them if you’re unsure where to start.

The food menu leans Japanese-inspired with some fusion touches. Steamed buns, ramen, and rice bowls are the staples. That said, the food can be inconsistent. I’ve had the same bowl of ramen be excellent one day and lackluster the next, which can be frustrating if you’re returning for a favorite. The grilled karaage is a more reliable option, and the benni buns are a true standout (soft, flavorful, and one of the best things on the menu!) If you’re eating here, they’re a must-order.

Moto-i is more of a snack-and-sip destination than a full dinner spot. You come here for the drinks, the atmosphere, and a few flavorful bites, not necessarily for a five-star meal. That’s part of its charm. It’s approachable, unique, and full of character, offering something distinctly different in the Twin Cities.

Come for the sake, stay for the rooftop, and enjoy a night out that doesn’t try too hard but still delivers a memorable experience and cool vibes.

@foodiemsp...

Overall I had a fantastic meal here. Ordered sake (forget which one but Matt recommended it) and it was delicious - dry and rich complexion of flavor. The chicken karaage and karashi dipping sauce was also delicious.

For mains, I ordered the classic ramen which was very good, however, the broth was pretty bland to be frank. For a shoyu based broth I was quite surprised when it tasted like watered down soup. That is not to say I did not enjoy it though. The pork shoulder was good and the pork belly was AMAZING so tender, gelatinous and melt in your mouth. The noodles were also very tasty, but I should have asked for a more firm cook - but that is on me not the restaurant. I was also some what disappointed to see they give you poached eggs instead of an ajitsuke. Poached egg was tasty, but the ajitsuke is hard to beat when it comes to a bowl of ramen. My girlfriend ordered the red curry beef ramen which was also quite tasty. Good soup and as well as the toppings being tasty. I am actually eating her leftovers as I write this!

Pros - good ambiance, great service, tasty food (for the most part) and overall vibe of sitting and dining in.

Cons - my shoyu classic ramen broth was bland as well as the egg was not an ajitsuke.

I still feel though that any star below 4 for the experience I had is a disservice to the rest of my meal because it was simply my broth everything else was fantastic. However, a 5 seems too generous. I do look forward to coming back and trying their other items though, those buns...