moto-i: A Unique Ramen & Sake Experience in Minneapolis, MN

moto-i Introduce

An Introduction to moto-i

In the heart of the Lyn-Lake neighborhood, moto-i stands as a true Minneapolis original. It's more than just a ramen restaurant; it’s an izakaya and, notably, the first sake brewpub outside of Japan. This unique distinction sets the tone for a dining experience that is both authentic and innovative. moto-i offers a curated menu of Japanese-inspired street food, featuring house-made steamed buns, flavorful ramen, and a variety of small plates designed for sharing. The atmosphere is consistently described as casual, cozy, and trendy, with a distinct, almost mysterious, dark interior that creates a unique vibe.

While the ramen is a central part of the menu, moto-i's primary draw is its house-brewed sake. The restaurant offers a selection of its own American-made sake, available by the glass, bottle, or as part of a flight. This focus on craftsmanship and a unique beverage offering is what truly makes moto-i a standout destination. The menu is also thoughtfully crafted to accommodate a wide range of dietary preferences, with a strong emphasis on healthy, vegan, and vegetarian options that are clearly marked. The combination of a unique culinary concept and a standout beverage program makes moto-i a must-visit for anyone in the Twin Cities looking for a memorable and different dining experience.

Location and Accessibility

moto-i is conveniently located at 2940 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408, USA. Situated at the corner of Lyndale and Lake Street, it's a prominent fixture in the lively Lyn-Lake neighborhood. The location is easily accessible from various parts of the city, and its proximity to other local businesses makes it a great spot to visit as part of a larger outing.

The restaurant is committed to providing an inclusive environment for all guests. It features a wheelchair accessible entrance, a wheelchair accessible restroom, and wheelchair accessible seating. For those arriving by car, it's important to note that parking is available as paid street parking. While this requires a little extra planning, the central location and accessibility features ensure a welcoming visit for everyone.

Services Offered

moto-i provides a range of services to accommodate its diverse clientele.

Dine-in: Guests can enjoy the full experience of moto-i in its multi-level dining space. The main floor offers a cozy setting, while the rooftop seating provides a highly sought-after open-air experience, weather permitting.
Takeout: For those on the go, moto-i offers a convenient takeout service. You can place your order by phone or through various online platforms.
Delivery: The restaurant provides delivery services, making it easy to enjoy their unique dishes and beverages from the comfort of your own home.
Reservations: moto-i accepts reservations for its main dining room, which is especially helpful for planning a visit during busy lunch or dinner times. The popular rooftop and other special areas are often reserved for walk-ins on a first-come, first-served basis.
Catering & Private Dining: The restaurant has dedicated event spaces and a private dining room, making it an excellent choice for hosting private events, from parties to corporate gatherings.

Features and Highlights

moto-i is distinguished by several unique features that make it a standout destination in Minneapolis.

First American Sake Brewpub: As the first establishment of its kind outside of Japan, moto-i brews its own sake in-house. This gives them a unique position in the market and allows them to offer a selection of exclusive sakes, including flights for tasting.
Rooftop Seating: The rooftop patio is one of the most popular features, offering a vibrant outdoor seating area. It's a fantastic spot to enjoy a meal and drinks, especially during Minnesota's warmer months.
Extensive Drink Menu: Beyond its signature sake, moto-i has a robust beverage program. This includes an excellent selection of craft cocktails, a wide variety of Japanese whiskies and spirits, and a great beer selection that features local Minnesota taps. There is also a full menu of non-alcoholic options, from local sodas to zero-proof cocktails.
Vegan and Vegetarian Options: The menu is very accommodating to a variety of diets. It clearly labels dishes that are vegan or vegetarian, including ramen options like the Mushroom Ramen and Maitake Abura Ramen, and a variety of small plates and steamed buns.
Fast and Friendly Service: Despite its popularity, moto-i is known for its fast and friendly service. This attentiveness contributes to a pleasant dining experience and is consistently praised by patrons.
Late-Night Food: For those looking for a bite to eat after hours, moto-i offers late-night food, making it a great destination for a quick and satisfying meal late in the evening.

Contact Information

To get in touch with moto-i or to plan your next visit, use the following contact details:

Address: 2940 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408, USA
Phone Number: (612) 821-6262

What is Worth Choosing

Choosing moto-i is an excellent decision for anyone in Minnesota seeking a dining experience that is both fun and distinctive. The primary reason to visit is to experience the unique combination of a sake brewery and a Japanese izakaya. There's simply no other place like it in the state. The chance to try house-brewed sake, either on its own or as part of a tasting flight, is a major draw for both sake connoisseurs and curious newcomers. The ambiance is another key factor—the cozy, trendy, and somewhat mysterious interior, coupled with the highly desirable rooftop seating, creates an atmosphere that is perfect for a date night, a gathering with friends, or simply a solo meal where you can people-watch and enjoy the vibe.

While some reviews highlight inconsistencies in the food, many others praise the quality and flavor, especially for dishes like the steamed buns, drunken noodles, and bibimbap. The menu's strong selection of vegan and vegetarian items, including several dedicated ramen bowls, is a significant selling point that makes it a great choice for those with dietary restrictions. Moreover, the fast and friendly service ensures that even on a busy night, your experience will be smooth and enjoyable. The happy hour specials on both food and drinks provide a great value, making it an affordable way to explore the menu. Ultimately, moto-i is worth choosing for its one-of-a-kind concept, vibrant atmosphere, and commitment to providing a unique and memorable outing for the Twin Cities community.

moto-i Menu

American Sake
Another Dalliance $16.00
rice: yamadanishiki | abv: 16% | smv: +4 | seimaibuai: 57% | our longest love affair, velvety smooth with a bright acidity, flavors of strawberry, macademia, and maitake
Call To Mend $13.00
rice: yamadanishiki | abv: 18% | smv: +13 | seimaibuai: 70% koji / broken grains | instead of letting these broken grains go to waste, we use them to their fullest potential by creating a big, bold, and dry sake. Expect a peppermint nose with stone fruit and herbal flavors, served filtered, undiluted, and unpasteurized.
Managata $15.00
rice: yamadanishiki | abv: 15% | smv: +6 | seimaibuai: 50-60% | ripe tropical aromas overflow from the glass in this unapologetically modern juice bomb. notes of lychee, apple, and cantaloupe.
Nigori $12.00
rice: yamadanishiki / titan | abv: 15% | smv: -1 | seimaibuai: 70% | loosely pressed, allowing some rice particulate to remain, this bright nigori brings sweet notes of pineapple, banana, and coconut water to create a full, tropical sake
Tokoloshe $14.00
rice: yamadanishiki | abv: 16% | smv: +6 | seimaibuai: 75% | sweet aromas of green apple, papaya, and cotton candy. flavors shift from apple to chestnut when cold to savory shiitake and braised greens as it approaches room temperature.
Kimoto Daiginjo $20.00
rice: yamadanishiki | abv: 17% | smv: -1 | seimaibuai: 40% | we literally leveled up this sake by wheeling it out to our open-air rooftop patio. with aromas spanning from wildflowerhoney to dried shiitake, flavors from ripe peach to kombu dashi, this sake showcases the truly inimitable Minneapolis flora. gently warmed via hot water bath.
Hot Junmai $15.00
rice: yamadanishiki & jupiter | abv: 15% | smv: +4 | seimaibuai: 70% | gently heated with mild and well-balanced flavors. served in a 9oz carafe.
Sake Flight $17.00
cant decide? get a flight! three two oz tasters of your choice

Sake Cocktails
Whiskey Business $13.00
junmai, iwai mars whisky, Koval chrysanthemum & honey liqueur, clove simple, orange bitters, matcha dust
Moto Mule $10.00
junmai, green tea simple, Fever Tree ginger beer, fresh lime.
Okinawa Brass $14.00
junmai, Alipus mezcal, okinawan lime juice, palm syrup, Fever Tree sparkling pink grapefruit
Goodluck Cocktail $10.00
junmai, fresh mint, house-made strawberry puree, local lemonade
Hometown Hiro $14.00
junmai, Botanist islay gin, fico d’india prickly pear liqueur, cucumber bitters.
Stryker's Best Bloody $11.00
junmai, dill aquavit, red miso, togarashi, nori, house-spiked bloody mix
Godzilla Bomb $7.00
junmai and house-brewed triple caff energy drink drop shot
Sake Bomb $7.00
junmai and Modist supra rice lager drop shot

Flights
Japanese Whisky Flight $22.00
Three 1 oz pours
Mizu Shochu Flight $16.00
Three 1 oz pours
moto-i Sake Flight $17.00
Three 2 oz pours

Japanese Spirits
Hibiki Harmony Whisky
Iwai Mars Whisky
Iwai Tradition Whisky
Akashi Whisky
Askashi Single Sake Cask
Suntory Toki Whisky
Yamazaki 12yr
Nikka From The Barrel Whisky
Nikka Grain Whisky
Nikka Days Whisky
Ki No Bi Kyoto Dry Gin
Nikka Coffey Gin
Roku Craft Gin
Haku Rice Vodka

Chu Hai
Chu Hai $10.00
Spirits: Haku Rice Vodka, Roku Craft Gin, Suntory Toki Whisky, Mizu Barley Shochu, Mizu Lemongrass Shochu, Mizu Green Tea Shochu | Mixers: Mediterranean Tonic, Spiced Ginger Beer, Blood Orange Ginger Beer, Premium Gingerale, Distillers Cola

Ramen
Classic Ramen $0.00
smoked pork shoulder, pork belly, scallion, chili oil, poached egg, shoyu broth.
Mushroom Ramen (V, VE) $0.00
enoki & shiitake mushroom, fried tofu, fried garlic, radish, nori, poached egg, rich mushroom broth.
Shio Chicken Ramen
roasted chicken thigh, radish, scallion, fried garlic, chili oil, poached egg, nori, shio chicken broth
Pork Abura Ramen
brothless ramen, smoked pork shoulder, pickled red onion, chili oil, ponzu, scallion, bonito, poached egg.
Maitake Abura Ramen (V, VE) $0.00
brothless ramen, maitake mushroom, chili oil, ponzu, mushroom oil, roasted vegetables, pickled red onion, scallion, poached egg.
Red Coconut Beef Curry Ramen
sauteed beef, cabbage, and bean sprouts, radish, scallion, spicy curry broth, poached egg.

Small Plates
Crispy Pork Belly Bites
crispy pork belly, cilantro, sweet chili sauce
Rangoons
six house-made rangoons filled with shishito pepper, bacon, cream cheese, scallion, sweet chili sauce
Tofu Lettuce Wraps (V, VE)
bibb lettuce, bean sprout, scallion, mint, sweet chili sauce
Okonomiyaki (V) $0.00
bacon and cabbage pancake, katsu, qp mayo, bonito
Idaho Fries (V, VE)
house-cut potato fries, katsu, house-made miso béarnaise
Japanese Fried Chicken (JFC) $0.00
spicy cabbage slaw, kecap manis
Karaage
crispy fried chicken thigh, lemon, karashi
Kasu Cheese
aged cheddar, cream cheese and horseradish dressing, kasu, bacon, scallion

House - Made Steamed Buns
Pork Shoulder Bun $0.00
smoked pork shoulder, hoisin, scallion, pickled cucumber
Pork Belly Bun
fried pork belly, ginger-yuzu marmalade, mesclun, crispy parsnip
Crispy Chicken
crispy fried chicken, avocado qp mayo, sriracha, cucumber, bibb lettuce heart
Agedashi Tofu Bun (V, VE)
marinated & lightly fried firm tofu, pickled celery, vegan mayo, micro greens
Mock Duck Bun (V, VE)
marinated fried mock duck, house vegan mayo, mesclun, kimchi, beni shoga
Tuna Bun
seared ahi tuna, scallion, pickled red onion, wasabi mayo
Benny Buns $0.00
two house-made buns, panko fried poached egg, candied miso bacon, scallion, chili powder, miso béarnaise

Vegetables & Salads
Beet Salad (V, VE)
mesclun, candied wasabi, spicy peanuts, miso vinaigrette.
Green Salad (V, VE)
mesclun, cucumber, carrot, radish and carrot ginger vinaigrette.
Brussels Sprouts (V, VE)
wasabi honey fried sprouts, spicy peanuts, qp mayo.
Shishito Burrata (V)
fried peppers, burrata cheese, sea salt, ponzu vinaigrette, lemon zest
Pickle Jar (V, VE, GF)
assorted house-made pickles & kimchi
Edamame (V, VE, GF)
olive oil, sea salt.

Noodles & Rice Bowls
Thai Fried Rice (V, VE, GF) $0.00
egg, carrot, onion, thai basil, thai chili, ginger, garlic, ponzu, scallion, lime, fish sauce | Protein options include chicken, pork, tofu, mock duck, shrimp or beef.
Drunken Noodle (V, VE) $0.00
spicy | rice noodles, scallion, bean sprout, thai chili, onion, sesame seed, drunken noodle sauce | Protein options include chicken, pork, tofu, mock duck, shrimp or beef.
Yakiudon (V, VE)
spicy | udon noodles, carrot, cabbage, scallion, bean sprout, chili flake.Protein options include chicken, pork, tofu, mock duck, shrimp or beef.
Bibimbap (V, VE, GF)
spicy | a moto-i twist on a Korean style rice bowl. BBQ pork, ginger garlic fried rice, pickled red onion, scallion, mushroom, gochujang, poached egg.

Minnesota Local Taps
Pryes Pragmatic $7.00
Pilsner
Pryes Dublin Dry Stout Nitro $9.00
Stout
Summit EPA $7.00
Extra Pale Ale
Indeed Mexican Honey Light $8.00
Lager
Modist Supra Deluxe $7.00
Rice Lager
Falling Knife Verbal Tip $8.00
Hazy IPA
Castle Danger Cream Ale $7.00
Cream Ale
Insight Sunken City
Saison
White Claw Hard Seltzer $6.50
watermelon, mango, black cherry
Wild State Semi Dry Cider $6.50

Wine
Lavis Pinot Grigio [italy] $9.00
Koyle Costa Sauv Blanc [Chile] $9.00
Cotes-Du-Rhone Rosé [France] $10.00
Mcmanis Cabernet [Ca] $9.00
Underwood Pinot Noir [Or] $9.00
Inkarri Malbec [Argentina] $10.00
Segura Viudas Cava Brut Split $9.00
Segura Viudas Cava Rosé Split $9.00

Non-Alcoholic Beer, Wine, & Beverages
Bauhaus Nah $6.00
pink guava sour or helles
Fre Sparkling Rose $6.00
alcohol removed wine luxe rose
Triple Caff $3.50
house-made energy drink
Local Hot Tea $4.00
jasmine green, earl grey, or chamomile medley
Peace Coffee $3.00
full bodied french roast
MN Local Sodas $3.00
cola, diet cola, gingerale, lemon-lime
Liftbridge Rootbeer $4.00
Fever Tree $3.00
ginger beer or distiller's cola
Red Bull $3.50
regular, sugar free, or watermelon

Zero Proof Cocktails
Garden Party $9.00
seedlip garden non-alcoholic spirit, thyme simple, honey chamomile elixir, lemon zest, elderflower tonic, micro greens
Watermelon Retrograde $8.00
watermelon red bull, fresh thai basil, lemon elixir, vanilla extract, wildfire tincture
Dasiy Chain $9.00
lyre's agave blanco non-alcoholic spirit, pink grapefruit syrup, fever tree club soda, lime bitters
Virgin Goodluck Coctail $7.00
fresh mint, house-made strawberry puree, lemonade
Styker's Side Hustle $9.00
seedlip spice non-alcoholic spirit, sriracha spiked house-made bloody mix, rich umami bitters

Drink
Sumo Mojito
junmai, mint, lime simple, fever tree club soda, shiso bitters
Lychee Layover
junmai, lychee puree, simple syrup, fever tree club soda
Goodluck Cocktail
junmai, mint, strawberry puree, lemonade
Moto Mule
junmai, green tea simple syrup, fever tree ginger beer, lime

Food
Tofu Lettuce Wraps (V, VG) $6.00
bibb lettuce, bean sprout, beni shoga, mint, sweet chili sauce
Okonomiyaki Fritters $6.50
four crispy fried fritters, katsu, qp mayo, bonito
Rangoons $11.00
bacon, shishito pepper, cream cheese, sweet chili sauce
Green Salad (V, VG) $5.00
mesclun, cucumber, carrot, radish, carrot ginger vinaigrette
Edamame (V, VG, GF) $5.00
olive oil, sea salt
Bistro Steak $14.00
idaho fries, scallion, miso bearnaise
Happy Hour Fried Rice (V, VG, GF) $9.00
egg, carrot, onion, ginger, garlic, thai chili, scallion, ponzu, fish sauce

Brunch Add Ons
ONSEN TAMAGO (V) $5.00
chilled soy dashi broth, scallion, white truffle oil [Japanese-style soft boiled egg]
MISO SOUP (V, VE) $5.00
fried tofu, scallion, miso broth
TAMAGO KAKI GOHAN (V, GF) $5.00
garlic confit egg yolk, furikake, rice, beni shoga, togarashi, ponzu
VEGAN SAUSAGE BUNS (V, VE)
herbivorous butcher spicy vegan sausage, pickled cucumber, pickled red onion, scallion, housemade vegan mayo
BACON ABURA RAMEN
brothless, fischer family farms bacon, corn, shishito pepper, scallion, panko egg

moto-i Details

Service options
Outdoor seating
Delivery
Takeout
Dine-in

Highlights
Fast service
Great beer selection
Great cocktails
Great tea selection
Rooftop seating

Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Wheelchair accessible seating

Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Cocktails
Coffee
Comfort food
Happy hour drinks
Happy hour food
Hard liquor
Healthy options
Late-night food
Private dining room
Quick bite
Small plates
Vegan options
Vegetarian options
Wine

Dining options
Brunch
Lunch
Dinner
Catering
Counter service
Dessert
Seating
Table service

Amenities
Bar onsite
Restroom
Wi-Fi

Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy
Trendy

Crowd
College students
Groups
Tourists

Planning
Accepts reservations

Payments
Checks
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Children
High chairs

Parking
Paid street parking
Parking

moto-i Photos

moto-i Location

moto-i

Minnesota Hennepin County Minneapolis Lowry Hill East Lyndale Avenue South

2940 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408, USA

moto-i Reviews

Update 7/17/25: Management did the right thing and reached out and gave us a gift card, which was greatly appreciated. Will try again.Fast, friendly service. Food was good, for the most part and not cheap. Didn’t care for the burnt fried chicken, which shouldn’t have been served to us.
July 17 · A V
I had heard a lot of good things about this place, so I was excited to try it.I ordered the ramen and two buns.Unfortunately, the ramen was quite oily, and the meat tasted... well, like Costco rotisserie chicken. From my point of view, it definitely wasn’t worth the price.I also got two buns — one with tuna and one with mock duck. The seasoning was... interesting. I’d never had that flavor combination before, and to be honest, I didn’t enjoy either. Personally, I feel the filling needed a bolder flavor to balance out the plainness of the bun. As it was, I didn’t feel like taking a second bite.I didn’t order a drink.The atmosphere was unique — pretty dark inside, almost mysterious.That said, the service was great.Overall, I wouldn’t recommend this place for the food.
June 29 · Selkie Ocean
Dining here was a real special treat. The ambience of this place is very intimate with a low lit atmosphere with a candle on the center of the table. The food is so rich with subtle and savory flavors with every bite. The dessert is especially one you don't want to miss. That Japanese donuts are so fresh and fluffy, that it would be heartbreaking if anyone skipped dessert here. The waiters and waitresses are so professional and are very attentive to your dining experience and needs. This is a must go to when you're visiting or have been living here in Minneapolis.
March 09 · JayDoo Vang
I had low expectations for moto-i. My excitement centered on the saké brewed at moto-i, the first saké brewpub in the United States. Because moto-i was the first, it has become a sort of shrine for saké lovers. We fortunately found two seats at the first-floor bar, which enhanced our entire experience.Kaz, our server/bartender/Kikisake-shi, made our dinner an experience to be cherished. He was helpful, friendly, entertaining, and knowledgeable. Restaurants around the country should hire Kaz to train their staff.The saké I tasted at moto-i, all brewed in their facility in Minneapolis, rivaled what I tasted in Japan. That is not hyperbole. My favorites were the Tokoloshe and the Call to Mend. Both were complex and layered and left me with a contemplative finish. However, what astounded me at moto-i was the quality of the food. Yes, it's pub food, but everything tasted scrumptious. Our favorites were the buns: the Tofu bun, the Pork Shoulder bun, and the Benny bun all tasted great. Another hit was the Thai Fried rice with beef. I even enjoyed the leftovers two days later! My Japanese Fried Chicken had a crispy coating, and I gnawed the poor chicken to the bone. While not gourmet, moto-i's pub grub fit what the restaurant was doing perfectly.I fell in love with moto-i. If I were a younger man, I would ask to franchise moto-i. The concept is terrific and would sell with aggressive marketing. Thank you, Kaz. Thank you, moto-i. I want to return now.
March 31 · Philip Gissen
Great experience & love this place! I really like the overall ambience. It’s low lighting which makes conversation more intimate and personal. There's also a rooftop open in the summer as well as a 2nd interior level. This place is so large! The server was very attentive and informative. She answered everything very detailed and provide recommendations from her person experience. I ordered the classic ramen as well as the crispy chicken steamed buns. The crispy chicken steamed bun was absolutely amaaaaaazing! It was so flavorful. I would return solely based on the steamed buns! The ramen was pretty good as well. The ramen was super flavourful and filling. I’ve had slightly better ramen but this is a solid option. I also ordered the sake flight which had really great options.
June 01 · Shalon Johnson