moto-i
Open nowCloses at 12:00 AMOpening hours
- Monday
- 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
- Tuesday
- 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
- Wednesday
- 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
- Thursday
- 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
- Friday
- 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
- Saturday
- 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- Sunday
- 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM
2940 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408, United States





About
moto-i is listed on FindALoco in Minneapolis, MN with address, phone, website, hours, and map location. Common services and related keywords include Ramen Restaurant.
moto-i is a ramen restaurant at 2940 Lyndale Ave S in Minneapolis, Minnesota, bringing together comforting noodle dishes, shareable plates, and a lively dining-room atmosphere. With a 4.5-star rating across more than 3,000 customer reviews, it’s a well-known option for people looking for a relaxed meal in Minneapolis, whether they’re stopping in for ramen or gathering over several dishes. The restaurant is open daily, with noon opening Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. opening on Saturday and Sunday; listed closing time is midnight each day.
Ramen is a natural place to start. Customer reviews mention classic ramen and traditional ramen with pork belly, including guests who particularly enjoyed the savory pork belly in the bowl. The menu also draws diners looking for something beyond noodles: reviews call out bibimbap, fried rice, and fries, along with shareable starters such as Benny buns, Brussels sprouts, and tofu lettuce wraps. These varied choices make moto-i a useful pick for a group with different appetites, from someone craving a warming bowl to friends who would rather order several plates for the table.
The experience is about more than the food. Visitors describe an energetic but comfortable vibe, and reviews praise friendly, attentive service. Some guests have also appreciated staff recommendations for sake, making a drink pairing part of the meal for those interested. As with any restaurant, individual dishes and experiences can vary; one review found the tofu lettuce wraps flavorful but awkward to eat, while another praised their crisp vegetables. That kind of detail can help diners choose what suits their tastes and preferences.
For lunch, dinner, or a late-evening meal, moto-i offers Minneapolis diners a casual setting with ramen, rice dishes, and shareable bites in one place. It may suit couples, friends, and small groups who enjoy exploring a menu together, as well as guests who want the option of a classic ramen bowl. Find it on Lyndale Avenue South at 2940 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408. Whether you’re visiting for the pork belly ramen, bibimbap, Benny buns, or a sake recommendation, customer reviews point to a flavorful meal and a welcoming, lively atmosphere.
Ratings & Reviews
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We had a great experience at Moto-i. We stopped in around 3 PM on a Sunday, and there was only one bartender working, but he was fantastic—friendly, attentive, and did a great job taking care of everyone. We ordered the Benny buns, which were delicious, and the tofu lettuce wraps, which were also excellent. The wontons were the standout for me—they’re honestly some of the best I’ve ever had. We also tried the bibimbap and chicken ramen, and both were flavorful, fresh, and really satisfying. We finished with the sake tour, which I would highly recommend. It was a fun way to end the meal and made the whole experience feel a little more special. Overall, everything we had was great, the service was excellent, and we’ll definitely be back.
I got the classic ramen, fries, fried rice, and lettuce wraps. Lettuce wraps: If you have any kind of sensory issues when touching your food, I would avoid the tofu wraps all together. Flavor was fine, a little bland. Ingredient quality seemed good (vegetables crisp). But it was impossible to eat without it falling apart or getting sticky sauce on your hands. Classic ramen: Fine, rather greasy. Noodles were fine, but I've had a lot better here in the cities. Egg was cooked really well and had a nice orange yolk. Fried rice: Very moist from the sauces, like almost too wet for my liking (borderline mushy texture). Ratio of veggies and rices were nice, but overall too sweet and wet for me. Served with lime, which helped a little. Fries: Good, but I like fries almost always. Potato flavor prominent, not as crispy as I remember them. Service: Our interactions with our waiter were very pleasant. However, it took her a long time to get back to us for most things. It didn't seem like a busy night at all (Thursday) but maybe she had too many tables. It took 30 minutes for our check, both my friend and I had to extend our parking (thank god you can do that via the app). Also, didn't love that they bring a card reader to your table and hold it in their hand while you pay and tip. That's a me problem, but I loathe this approach. This was my first time here in a couple of years. I used to love coming to Moto-I. I had my standard order of Drunken Noodles & fries.Then I stopped coming here for awhile, pandemic times. I came back, and the Drunken Noodles had changed. The noodles were thinner, not as chewy. And there was an overwhelming smokey/charred flavor rather than the savory sweet heat that I loved. But the quality of the ingredients seemed great so far, and the other dishes my friends got were pretty good. So I thought I'd give it another try. Probably won't be back again unless a friend wants to. The sake and cocktails have always been good.
Absolutely *delicious* food. So good. The buns. The Brussel sprouts. The pork belly in the traditional ramen. The place has a great vibe. Staff is super nice too. Good sake recommendations. My wife is a former sous-chef in New York, and this was her favorite meal of the week "Ramen better than the last time I had it in Japan"
Absolutely delicious! This was my second time here, I got the Bibimbap with everything. 10/10. I usually don’t eat eggs or mushrooms but something about this flavor combo made me like it together and eat everything. (Minus the very spicy red pepper slices, had some but not all). I also ordered a cherry mocktail with lychee puree. So delicious. I’d love to return, thank you!
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.
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