Motomoto Sushi & Izakaya

Great experience! ...from the ambiance to the staff. I could not get enough of the spicy edamame. The tempura salmon roll was on point. While not a full bar, there's something for the pickiest of drinkers. It's located downtown, so plan for parking. Accessible entrance.

I gave this place a maybe recommend and here is why, the food is really good. We enjoyed everything after a game we went and they sat us down right away. Unfortunately, they didn't have enough help... and we sat with waters for a good amount of time and notice people even getting up and leaving without ordering.,on a FRIDAY NIGHT after a baseball game let out... you would think they would staff up?Either way, worth a try... and we will try it again.With hopes of better service.Ambiance is inviting and "bar like" but still quaint...is built into a hotel lobby, so expect different types of crowds and any given time or games or conferences.

While their lunch menu is limited, the value, flavor, and freshness of the food makes up for it! I had the sashimi bowl, which came with miso soup. I also had a side of tempura pumpkin and shishito peppers. Delicious! Definitely worth coming back to try their dinner menu.Fast service. You can order and pay off of the online link from scanning a barcode.

I previously reviewed this place as 5 stars because I really loved it, but I went back in last night and was kind of astounded at how downhill it's gone in 6 months. They started using an online service to order at the table, which was interesting because there definitely wasn't the same items on the menu anymore. Last time I had gotten a cocktail, but they really didn't have any on the online ordering menu, and I asked the server and was told "they're limited with what they have" but could clearly see a fully stocked bar, so that was a bit confusing? The handrolls were okay, but the ramen wasn't good. And then having no drinks. So it was kind of a bummer of a meal. The place was mostly empty too which is interesting considering its location. Probably won't be back after this last visit.

I am rating Moto Moto a five with an explanation. I was walking by headed to another restaurant. I thought, hey, if they're open for lunch I'd like to try sushi in Phoenix. I usually am interested, when I am someplace out of the ordinary for me, in sampling what is local. Before reliable overnight delivery, I would not consider fish, much less raw, in the desert. I figured no matter what I would have something to say here. That was sufficient reason to give it a try.One staff person was functioning as server and cashier. That was it. I was there early, before any rush. But it likely would not be easy for her once it gets going. I studied the menu. They feature lunch specials with add ons. Among them was "assorted sashimi." The picture showed only salmon. I inquired whether it was in fact assorted (like chirashi; I didn't use the term though). I was assured about variety. So I picked that. When it came, however, it was all salmon. As much as I like it, that was not what I was looking for. I noted it, trying not to sound like a privileged jerk complaining about what isn't such a big deal. The number of slices was not overwhelming either. I didn't mention that. Instead, I supplemented. I requested the vegetable tempura, which was specifically named: shishito and pumpkin (they also offer shrimp, which is just that).So why would I award five stars?The food exceeded expectations. The salmon was fresh. So much that is on offer is not. Sushi has been ruined by its popularity. Some that is available has no taste whatsoever. The rice also had been prepared by someone who got it right, fluffy. The staple is easy to make, not as easy to make well. The tempura batter was perfect. It was light. Whoever is in the kitchen knows what they are doing. They were not someone who otherwise would be working at a fast food chain, trained in corporate routine likely to be automated any moment. Although I did not try it, I was impressed: they listed takoyaki on the menu too. That is an indication the chef knows the cuisine; s/he is not someone simply making a buck or who could cooking just anywhere (even if they ordered it frozen, you don't push takoyaki if you aren't familiar with it).The single staff person also was apologetic about the salmon being the only protein in the bowl. She said they had changed the menu. Forgiveness is a virtue. There is much else in the world that is worse. There is enough misery around us, especially on the internet. I'd rather look to what there is to praise. In this case, I can say that, with the description here, you should have the information to make your own judgment.Addendum. Takoyaki are an Osaka specialty of octopus diced and molded with ginger, onion, and flour into balls which is prepared in a griddle with that singular purpose. When my wife's family brought my late father-in-law's ashes to rural Japan to be scattered, we met relatives who offered us the treat. I was not enthusiastic enough. I regret that.

Stopped in Friday evening with some friends around 9 PM. We were seated immediately and we noticed how cutely decorated the space is and the overall fresh and modern ambiance. The restaurant is attached to the Phoenix Hilton Garden Inn and so the bathrooms are located in the hotel lobby.I ordered the spicy edamame and seared salmon roll. The spicy coating on the edamame was not super flavorful or spicy, and the edamame was a tad undercooked. The seared salmon roll was just okay, the salmon definitely could've been fresher. Overall the food was okay but the prices are pretty high here for downtown Phoenix and the overall quality. Next time I would try some of the drinks and more of the small plates or hand rolls. My friends ordered the robata which didn't seem super worth it. Our waiter, however, was attentive and quick, which was a plus.

Came here for lunch on a weekday. This sushi spot is located downtown on E Monroe and N Central on the ground floor of the Hilton Garden Inn, and you either park via metered street parking or paid garage parking. The interior was clean with plenty of seating, and the decor was Japanese-themed with colorful parasols hanging from the ceiling and a faux cherry blossom arch against a wall. There's seating available outdoors on the patio, which is cutely decorated with hanging lanterns and lights. We were the only ones in the restaurant during that hour, so there wasn't a wait at all. I ended up ordering the sashimi bowl set, which includes miso soup and a salad. The sashimi itself was ok -- the cuts were a bit thin, and I didn't like how they flavored the underlying rice with rice vinegar. The miso soup and salad were fine! I appreciated that the waiter was very attentive and checked up on us several times throughout the visit.I think this restaurant wouldn't be my first choice when it comes to sushi, as Harumi's is right around the corner and is regarded as the classic choice for sushi in Phoenix. I may visit another time to try out the other menu items!

Motomoto was a really pleasant surprise. We are always looking for new Japanese inspired places to eat, and walking around DT Phoenix we saw this gem and decided to stop in.Ambience is cool, you can feel the Asian inspiration throughout this cozy space. I liked the wine display with the Sakura blossoms on the bottom and there's a picture spot in the restaurant (fair warning kind've wedged between other guests tables) that has a Sakura arch. There are also parasols that fill the ceiling in the main dining area.The food was great! We actually caught a happy hr for the first time in a long time and the dishes were hot and delicious. I really liked the Kaarage (fried chicken on a stick basically) that came with spicy Mayo. Very juicy, hot, fresh.We also had sushi here which again was fresh and clean tasting. We didn't get an overwhelming whiff of ocean and the texture and temp were perfect. The only thing we didn't particularly enjoy was the ramen, it was too salty but could've been nice otherwise.I would recommend the butter toast dessert! It was fluffy, hot, and a more unique treat that we have tried.

This place was amazing when it first opened. I loved their vegan ramen, Moshi Moshi cocktail, and their refined take on a ramen restaurant. Alas, those days are over. It all went downhill when they lost their original bartender. At one point they had no bartender at all. Then they closed for a while, and when they re-opened it was like a new restaurant. In a bad way. Their vegetarian ramen has chicken stock in it now, which is the most aggregious offense. They've redecorated and changed their menu to make it look more casual, but didn't change prices. Now it just looks like an overpriced casual ramen place with an identity crisis. Their new drinks aren't as good either. And on top of all that, now you have to order via an app and not with an actual server. I've only seen that method at airports, and nobody likes it.

Great food. Staff was nice with an amazing ocean view. Bit pricy but worth it. Fast service