
LUSH Lounge & Theater
Minneapolis · $$

Minneapolis, MN · $$
Established in 2008, moto-i is a local ramen shop and sake brewery located in the Lyn-Lake neighborhood. Our menu features tokyo straight style noodle ramen, house-made steamed buns, asian inspired small plates, rotating chef specials, and weekend brunch. All reservations are for moto-i's dining room on the main floor. Weather permitting, Stryker's Lookout and The Big Boy Lounge are open for walk-ins on a first come, first serve basis.
“I tried the chicken ramen without the chili oil, and it was absolutely delicious. Just a note: most of the ramen dishes come with chili oil, so be aware if you don’t like spicy food. I really appreciated that they offered to remove it for me without any problem. Thank you! All of the servers were very kind, friendly, and attentive. Highly recommended!”
“I was recommended Moto-i by a friend, and I’m happy to say it absolutely lived up to the hype. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere struck a perfect balance between energetic and comfortable, setting the stage for what turned out to be an excellent dining experience. We started with the fried chicken, which was easily one of the highlights of the meal. It arrived perfectly golden and crisp on the outside, with a satisfying crunch that gave way to tender, juicy meat inside. It’s the kind of dish that sounds simple but is clearly executed with real attention to detail. Alongside that, we ordered the chicken buns and pork buns, and both were outstanding. The bread was incredibly soft and pillowy, complementing the fillings without overpowering them. Each bite was well-balanced, with flavors that felt thoughtful and refined rather than heavy or overdone. For our main dishes, my wife chose the drunken noodles while I went with a ramen dish. Both plates were impressive in their own right. The drunken noodles had a great depth of flavor, with just the right amount of spice and a satisfying texture that kept every bite interesting. My ramen was equally enjoyable—rich, comforting, and clearly made with care. The broth had a depth that suggested it wasn’t rushed, and all the components came together in a way that felt cohesive and satisfying. What really elevated the experience, though, was the service—especially our server, Molly. She was attentive without being intrusive, friendly without feeling scripted, and genuinely seemed to care that we were enjoying our meal. She took the time to answer questions, offered helpful recommendations, and checked in at just the right moments. It’s rare to encounter service that feels this natural and engaging, and it made a noticeable difference in how much we enjoyed our visit. Molly brought a level of warmth and professionalism that turned a great meal into a memorable one. Overall, Moto-i delivered across the board: excellent food, a welcoming atmosphere, and standout service. Every dish we tried met or exceeded expectations, and it’s clear that both the kitchen and front-of-house staff take pride in what they do. We left feeling satisfied and already talking about what we’d try on our next visit. We will absolutely be back—no question about it.”
“I managed to make it here in time for happy hour, which is fantastic! They have a marvelous array of sake (which they make in house) and crafted cocktails. Tried the rangoons, which online looked small to me, but in real life the portion size was great! PACKED with tasty cream cheese and shishito peppers for an added kick. For my main, had mushroom ramen, which had a lot of fried garlic and tofu, but also the JUICIEST, most wonderful mushrooms ever. The restaurant is tastefully decorated, but a bit difficult to spot from the street (it looks like there's not a sign right now?) and the indoor lighting is a little too dark for my taste, but there's much to love and taste at this delightful spot.”
“The service was immaculate. Our server, Ollie, was very personable and made the experience so memorable. The mushroom ramen was hands down the most delicious ramen Ive ever had. The classic ramen was also very very tasty. Both were still very good after reheating which impressed us greatly. The food, atmosphere and service exceeded our expectations. We will absolutely come back when were in town!”
“They are very good about allergies! We had a fish and nut allergy on our ticket and they were proactive in asking about allergies. We felt comfortable eating our food and everything we ordered was delicious. I recommend getting buns to split and then your own individual ramens.”
2940 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408, US
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