Motomaki
1600 28th St,Ste 1216, Boulder, CO, 80301
Motomaki Menu
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Address :
1600 28th St,Ste 1216
Boulder, CO, 80301 - Phone (720) 943-2030
- Website https://www.motomaki.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : No
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Rosie Q.
Quality of the food could be a little better for the price you pay. Service okay. But saving grace is the concept. Fast and convenient!
(3)Gina W.
Heard they were owned by Hapa Sushi so I expected the sushi to be good, which it was! I've tried the shrimp tempura roll and bowl and loved them. The soft shell crab is next on my list and hopefully it's good also.
(4)Jaymie P.
This place is the bomb! Closest I have fealt to Maui since moving to Colorado. Onolicious!
(5)S P.
UPDATE: Went again, still really enjoyed the experience...but they need to figure out how to master the large rolls by getting the ingredients to stick together because they fall out and go all over your plate. You couldn't eat this on the run. They can also consider the idea of offering onigiri rice "balls" as a more portable option. And these are great for kids.
(4)R S.
Motomaki is a winner. The big burrito size sushi rolls are great- liked all of the ones we have tried so far and the ingredients are fresh and good quality. The seaweed salad and saki are good to. They are unique in the fast casual market and if they don't already have expansion plans for additional locations or franchising I could totally see that happening in the future.
(5)Sean K.
The good: --Relatively quick --Plenty of options (in terms of food & price) The bad: --Mid to low grade ingredients --Small portions --B- service
(2)Chelsea P.
On my first time at Motomaki, I ordered a number 2 and a number 5 with edamame. I was surprised when my 2 orders came up and a "Bahn Mi" instead of edamame. I went up to the register to explain my order and they were gracious enough to give me back the difference in cash, gave me the edamame and offered me the Bahn Mi for free! Their food was delicious and the staff were so friendly and accommodating.
(4)Mike S.
Just had the nacho tuna and the shrimp tempura rolls. Based on those two items, I believe that this is one of the best places I've been to in Denver/Boulder.
(5)Stephanie H.
The food tasted good, but the maki roll was hard to eat. There's a reason sushi typically comes in one-bite pieces... burrito-style just doesn't work. I was trying to rip through the nori with my teeth and ended up with a giant mess.
(3)Michael U.
This whole place is genius, from the burrito sized sushi rolls, to the make your own maki, to the single cups of sake. I can't stop thinking about how good it was and can't wait to go back.
(5)sean m.
If you want sushi, go to a sushi bar..the flavors and textures do not come alive in a giant burrito sized blob. They fall apart, nori is is chewy, veggies are not crisp and ingredients are masked with salty sauce...save your money and go have sushi.
(2)Sarah B.
Really good! My only complaint is that I could have eaten one and a half rolls, I was still a little hungry after the one. Price wise, it is a little pricey, but when compared to what I spend at Hapa on a regular basis, I think it's okay!
(5)Emily O.
Awesome food. Not traditional sushi, although they have that too. The sushi rolls are the size of a burrito. They are quality ingredients. I had the salmon poke roll. It was amazing. Prices are more than reasonable!
(5)Sara S.
This place is good but I would rather get real sushi at happy hour somewhere else for the same price.
(3)Brittany D.
Super awesome, healthy, and delicious asian cuisine! This is my new favorite place :-)
(5)Eric N.
Delicious Japanese rolls. Think Chipotle meets Hapa Sushi. The food was interesting and flavorful with a quick and relaxed atmosphere. I'll definitely be back.
(5)Chandra S.
Of course this idea came from Hapa Sushi, they have no idea what real Japanese food is! If you've ever been to Japan and are looking for a taste of Japan this is NOT the place you are looking for.
(1)Michelle p.
Yum! I had the Salmon Poke. As for the food - It's pretty great. Salmon, tasty and flavorful. Nori, not old and it was not as chewy as most people said. Unless you let your maki sit out for a while. Experience - good. Even though they're not yet set up for either phone orders or substitutions (I was charged 2 dollars for tobiko instead of bacon.) Which is why it's four stars and not five. Delivery and accuracy of my order was spot on. I got my food in less than 5 minutes, granted I had a pretty long order and slightly complicated they got it right the first time. I would serve the edemame hot though. Maybe as a new concept they're still ironing out the bugs. Give them a chance and see for yourself. I think they have improved in the last couple of weeks compared to a few other picky reviewers. Price was a little steep in my opinion but there was no lack in salmon all through my maki so I'm satisfied. I'll be back Motomaki!
(4)Tee V.
Heard all the raves about this so had to try it for myself. Wasnt sure how to ordering system went but just ordered what I assumed as good based on regular sushi rolls. The soft shell crab roll was lacking favor and certainly lacking the soft shell crab meat. All I could taste were the bland veggies that accompanied it. Didn't fill me up so went and ordered another roll. Nacho tuna roll was much more tasty and actually looked like a normal spicy tuna roll. For 12 each I would just recommend getting the tuna if you're a sushi lover. Otherwise skip the soft shell crab and get something else. One thing that was confusing was that we didn't know where to throw away our trash or if we should just leave it on the table.
(3)Morgan M.
Love! Hapa is my favorite sushi restaurant in Boulder and I wanted to try out their new concept. It is delicious with amazing flavor and menu options. I ordered the Soft Shell Crab Roll which I really enjoyed. It had an interesting flavor with the addition of curried peppers. We also went at peak lunch time and it only took about 5 minutes for everyone to get their food making it great for lunch or a quick dinner. I will definitely be coming back.
(5)MiyakI H.
Oh Wow, that place is amazing. I never see sushi looks like burrito style. I had shrimp tempura and soft shell crab. They are tasty. I will definitely go back . Prices are reasonable. But Soba Salad is kind of too much sesame oil.
(5)Christina P.
I really wish I could rate this please better, but poor service really hits this one hard for me. I've been wanting to try this place since it opened, but really have no reason to go to Boulder. I recently went after the Slide the City event that was held in Boulder. At this point, I had been out all day and was very hungry - on the verge of getting hangry. The restaurant itself if spacious, well decorated and very clean. I came in with about 6 of my family members and ordered a custom sushirito. I'll get it out of the way now and say that my food was really good. It held together surprisingly well until maybe the last couple bites. The restaurant wasn't all that busy when we came in and there were more than enough people working in the kitchen and assembly area. So the bad part of my experience? After I ordered my food, I very clearly saw my order being made (the ingredients made it pretty clear it was mine). So I went to grab some water and wait at the end of the counter where they put your food when it's ready. About 5 minutes into standing there, my cousins who ordered after me had gotten their food and started eating already. I was very curious as to where my food was. I asked the guy at the end of the counter on the ETA of my food. My ticket was still hanging there untouched. Only after I asked about my food did they push my ticket back to the beginning and made my food. The worst part? The same thing happened to one of my cousins. She complained about how her food never would've been made if she never asked for it. She was also a little peeved that everyone had already gotten their food and started eating before she even got hers. The manager came out and gave her a coupon for a free entree because they messed up her order, but didn't give me anything. When my cousin came back to the table, I noticed the manager give a bit of a look in her direction. It's too bad the service was so crappy here, it could've been a great place. I won't be making the drive to Boulder just for this place any time soon. I can't wait for the sushirito place in Denver to open up. I hope it's not as disappointing.
(3)Kellen E.
Sushi should not be deconstructed. All of the ingredients were tossed in a bowl or wrapped for a very unappetizing presentation. This is an overpriced meal that should never have been invented. I became quite sick after eating here.
(1)Danny R.
The sushi-burrito analogies are apt. This place basically packs a bunch of amazing goodness into big futomaki and wraps them in aluminum foil like a chipotle burrito. The wife and each got a different roll. I got the nacho tuna, and she got the salmon poke. We shared half of each. Impressions: Ingredients are diverse, tasty and seem fresh. Service is quick. Flavor combinations were really fun. Eating the roll is kinda messy after a few bites. They have booze- Japanese beer and some sake behind the register. There are also some novelty Japanese snacks for sale at the counter if you need to evidence to convince your secret second family that you just got back from your "business trip" in Japan. Kids love Pocky! Prices aren't super cheap, but I think the value is solid for what you get. I was pretty stuffed after I finished the roll. This is also a fun place if you get off on watching people awkwardly stuff big food into their mouth and subsequently get it all over themselves. I am not personally into that, but you perverts can knock yourselves out.
(4)Shannon H.
I've only been once but it was Amazing. Fast-casual style Asian fusion with a Japanese slant. They offer many different ingredient combos in the form of bowls, wraps (in nori, like a sushi roll burrito), or as a sushi style roll. I got the Salmon Poke and Loved it. Raw marinated Salmon Poke, steamed asparagus, avocado, Bacon!, crispy onions, sriracha aioli, asian slaw drizzle over sushi rice (brown rice available). Honestly, I don't see how you can go wrong here... I love every element, everything tasted amazing individually, and the portion was generous. My friend got the Beef Kolbi 'wrap.' Korean style beef, kimchi, sprouts, avocado, roasted jalapeño dressing and rice wrapped in nori- as mentioned like a big sushi roll burrito. Think he really liked it as well, I didn't try it. Relatively pricy for fast-casual, but given the portion size and quality, it's well worth it. 100% will be back. Honestly, even though I didn't try a roll (yet), this was far better than several dedicated sushi restaurants in Boulder.
(5)Lan V.
I really wanted to love this restaurant, but so far, it's mediocre. Let's start with the good. The design is fancy schmancy, the service is polite, and the food comes out fast if you're in a time crunch. While waiting in line, an employee goes around to ask if it is anyone's first time being here, so they can help explain the menu. That's a nice touch. And as for the food, I wished it was better. We ordered the hamachi poke to share. The fish itself seems fresh, but it was drenched with soy sauce, so very very salty. I also ordered the soft shell crab poke roll, which is like a small sushi burrito. It sounds like a good idea at first, but eating it is very difficult. The seaweed wrap softens, so it's very chewy. One bite of the roll and the whole thing falls apart. Also, the roll was completely drenched with soy sauce again and very salty.
(3)Chelsea K.
Great place for quick Asian food in Boulder. I have had the Nacho and Tempura rolls and both are super good and super filling, I usually skip the mango salsa but like the rest of the ingredients. I see it as on-the-go sushi that really only costs $10-$12. Lately, I've been going for the Mochiko chicken bowl that is the perfect serving size for me and it's only $8. The chicken tender and very flavorful with slices of avocado, Asian cole slaw, and alfalfa sprouts. It's a nice environment but if you are dining in you will need to walk up to the counter to collect your food and also bus your own tables.
(4)Brant B.
6 stars on concept, taste and execution. Sushi roll, wrapped in rice and seaweed a la burrito style....? Yes please. This may be my favorite thing I've ever eaten. Can't wait to try more.
(5)S H.
I really wanted to like this place more, I think I had high expectations. I had the tempura shrimp roll. I will say they don't put a lot of shrimp in it in fact I opened up my roll to see if I could find the shrimp because I was pretty sure there was none. It was 7pm when I went and packed but whatever table was open was dirty. There certainly are a lot of employees. I like they recycle.
(3)Ryan M.
So so so so good! I got the Tuna Nacho and it was fantastic! Texture and temperature of fish was great! Price was $12, which seems like a lot, but when you think about how much you pay for sushi, it makes sense. Service was fairly fast, and the place is super casual. From what I understand, they are going to open up a vending machine that will have the pre-made burritos so you can walk in and walk out. I look forward to trying this more!
(5)Lauren C.
Very tasty, I get the shrimp tempura roll. It's very large, the size of a burrito. Unfortunately they recently raised the prices about 20% which makes getting lunch for 2 a little pricey.
(4)Ben Y.
Ok, imagine a sushi roll the size of a chipotle burrito. Booooom!!!! I think this is one hell of a value considering you would have to order 4 or 5 tuna rolls to even come close to the #1. Truly looking forward to trying the rest of the menu. :))) Eat happy!!
(4)Tyler M.
They delivered me the wrong roll. Slimy fried asparagus isn't what I wanted. The quality of the food is ok but if they can't make what you order then why would anyone want to eat there.
(2)Jonathan S.
This place is like the Chipotle of Asian fusion. Pretty much everything comes either as a bowl over rice or a massive burrito-size maki roll with seaweed instead of a tortilla. Pretty good stuff, seemed overpriced for what you get though. Chopsticks will emit a flurry of sawdust upon opening, try not to break em out around your food.
(4)Alex G.
Helpful and efficient servers. The menu is a little confusing for first timers but the food was amazing. I have been to local Korean BBQ places that didn't bring back the taste memory of Korea for me. The Kalbi bowl I had definitely had a very Americanized feel but the flavor immediately brought me back to Seoul!
(5)Angela H.
Really enjoyed making our own burrito style sushi rolls. Good portion sizes, good customer service. Quick. Delicious.
(5)Alanna M.
Since I was there the first time, I've been back on several occasions. I can't stop! I keep ordering the shrimp tempura sushi burrito or the bowl. I probably should try something else but why?! It's that good!
(5)Robert M.
This place is so overpriced it's crazy. I spent $24 just on me and I'm still starving.
(1)Kristen H.
Sushi- burrito style! Yay! This is a great casual Japanese restaurant and it is a really good value for the dollar. I got the Shrimp Tempura roll- which end up being a burrito-sized roll with lots of flavor. My guy got a Bahn Mi bowl which was also fantastic. I did not love the Hamachi Poke but it was probably because I was so full from my burrito-sized sushi roll. The restaurant is super casual and has a fun atmosphere. The service was great and overall, I am jazzed to go here for a casual dinner or lunch! In regards to some of the other reviews- if you want high end sushi, this may not be the best option. If you want something fast, fresh and yummy, go here!
(4)A L.
This place is as good as it gets for fast casual dining. I was already a huge fan of Hapa, so when I heard they opened up this new concept/fusion restaurant in Boulder... I knew it was going to be quality. You can get their signature "rolls" in roll form, or bowl form. I personally suggest getting it in a bowl, because it's easier to eat. I find that the roll falls apart the last 3-4 bites and becomes a huge, delicious mess. My current favorite is the Shrimp Tempura bowl. It comes with Tempura shrimp, asparagus and some spicy tuna and avocado. All taste bud sensations are experienced at Motomaki. The restaurant itself has a very cool vibe, and they even serve booze. This place is a no brainer if you want a quality, delicious and funky meal (lunch or dinner.. but dinner gets crowded.) I would even go as far as saying that this place is great for a first date. A new Boulder favorite for sure.
(5)Tim C.
So glad Colorado finally got a Sushiritto type place. Delicious and fresh, but not cheap
(4)Jess C.
Love this place! A great new take on traditional sushi. Reasonably priced, fast and friendly service! I just keep coming back
(5)Catherine S.
I love the concept of this place and it is clean and nice. Service is fast and the food is good. It really does make sense to call it an Asian chipotle, except pricier. Got the kalbi roll and it was good, maybe a little too much sauce though. My friends also enjoyed the rolls they got. I don't get though why you can't make your own Maki in a big roll size, and can only get a half size if you want to make your own.
(4)Kevin C.
The atmosphere is excellent! The service was good, but no guiding suggestions from the cashier. This is crucial in fast casual, people don't want to be embarrassed on their first time coming in or if they are indecisive. Source: I managed a 70k/week fast casual restaurant. Trust me, the young kids working the cashier need some kind of routine follow up, daily huddle, something to up the enthusiasm. The fish tasted refrozen. Either that or it wasn't stored/prepared properly. Not bad just not all that fresh tasting either. I had them make me a superman roll, tuna, salmon, masago, white rice, sweet soy, and avocado in soy paper. I did this to test the freshness versus a good example of great sushi (sushi fresh in Camarillo, CA). Overall, very cool concept just needs some better prep control, sourcing, training, and execution (my little roll fell apart too easily). This place can do great things with improvement!
(3)trolley S.
I have lowered my expectation for sushi in Boulder. So far, the unifying problem is that all the sushi places seem to use cheap medium grain rice. The problem with medium grain rice is that it doesn't have the same mouth feel and the chew that the more expensive short grain offers. It also falls apart as it's not as sticky. Have you ever tried making sushi rice with long grain rice? Give it a try. It doesn't work. So when using medium grain, it can work in a bowl but in a roll? it's just not sticky enough and renders a dry roll. I'm also a purist when it comes to sushi. I've warmed up to some American type of combos but for the most part, they belong in a burrito sized sushi...wait a minute here! Ah, so the rolls here are perfect for what they offer. Crazy combos that you can have in a bowl and a roll! So genius on one hand but way too much for someone like me.
(3)Amy J.
I am a traditionalist when it comes to good food, so I was skeptical at best about this place. And wow, I have to say they have won me over. I've been twice and gotten a bowl each time. The food is well done, fresh and surprisingly fast and really well priced. This is one of those places that could be totally kitschy and rely on its cool factor rather than quality food, but luckily it has both going for it.
(4)Grace C.
Yummm I loved this place. I ended up getting the pork bowl (I think?) and it was sooo delicious. Food came out fast, it was fresh, and so much for the money! I've been craving it ever since.
(5)Jarrett B.
Sushi burritos done right, I'm a fan. If I'm super hungry I'd rather do chipotle or something more filling but this is a great lighter meal.
(5)Julie R.
I really really wanted to like Motomaki. How could something so good go so bad? My first experience was great. Got one "make your own maki" roll which was the one item I was most excited about. The idea of putting exactly what you wanted into your sushi roll at a reasonable price was amazing. It was just what I was hoping and left me wanting more. That is where everything starting going downhill... My second experience was takeout. I ordered my "make your own maki" yet again and sat down to wait. And wait. And wait. The 15ish frat boys behind me had ordered, and all gotten their food (burrito sized rolls) and where were the two little maki's I had ordered? After about 20 minutes I got up to ask where my foods was and expressed my frustration with the time. After all, this is a quick serve concept, isn't it? The manager.. after trying to track down my food... had found out that they made my rolls wrong. After remaking them, handing me a "free roll" card, and a long wait time, I was on my way. Tonight was the worst. I was craving some sushi, lucky for Motomaki, they were the first I thought of. I ordered my two maki rolls and asked to used my "free roll" card for these, since a big "burrito" size was more expensive. They agreed and all was right in the world. Until I got my food. Apparently, the "sushi" concept has cost them too much time and unless you want them premade (just like you get at the grocery store) you are forced to get a mini sushi burrito or large sushi burrito. Would have been nice to know that ahead of time, since that is not what I came for. How do you change your concept 3 weeks in? And without even letting your customers know? And apparently, this is not the only change coming. I was informed that the mini burrito rolls will soon be just for children and all other customers will have the choice of either a bowl or big burrito roll. Since I had gotten the small burrito roll for free anyway, i took them home and tried. Maybe they would surprise me. Unfortunately not. All the ingredients are mushed together in a loose messy roll with open ends. When you call yourself a quick serve sushi restaurant, people expect sushi. If you want to have options, that's fine, but to rule out actual sushi rolls all together is a recipe for disaster. I will not be going back to Motomaki and do not recommend you go either. Want a good burrito? Walk 100 steps down to Chipotle and your money will be better spent.
(2)Nick S.
This place makes delicious food. I went for the Bahn Mi moto roll, and it was an awesome blend of Japanese, Vietnamese and American food (american being the burrito-sized moto roll). I'm normally frugal with my ratings, so I would've rated this place 4 stars, even though the food was delicious, the service was great, the decor was fantastic, and the overall experience was a great value for a $10 meal. However, the place was relatively empty, and I absolutely NEED this place to stay open now that I've tried a taste, so I'll rate it 5 stars to entice others =p
(5)Mallory R.
Sushi - burritos, enough said, this place is genius & amazing, and doesn't deserve the bad reviews it has got. I hate when people say it is "messy" ... get over it, its a sushi burrito... it's going to be a little messy. This place is owned by the owners of Hapa and the fish is top quality. I go here probably 2-3 times per week. It is absolutely delicious. The shrimp tempura roll, salmon poke roll, & seared tuna club roll rock. You cant go wrong here!
(5)Dean C.
I was so happy to hear about motomaki opening, somehow in my head I was picturing a fast casual japanese restaurant, it's turning out to be japanese chipotle. The first time I went with my GF, we ordered 2 rolls, sauce on the side. What I love"d", was the "make your own" roll. It was a great, I can't eat fish so my choices at a regular sushi restaurant are limited to say, tempura asparagus or cucumber rolls. So before at motomaki you could put chicken in your roll, or get a veggie roll and it wasn't $7 for rice and 2 pencil asparagus. So super happy, then we ordered, then a frat house followed in behind us, all 13 of them got served full meals before the 2 rolls we ordered arrived. So we spent 20 minutes sitting there waiting when finally they brought the order out. No real sorry or anything. My GF wasn't going to take that, so she spoke with the manager, long story short, the sushi rollers didn't read the ticket where it said sauce on side, they then had to re-make it, but decided to do the frat house kids before ours. So, they gave us the sushi as ordered, the rolls slathered in sauce and a coupon for a free roll(the big one). So finally tonight we went back, my GF was craving sushi! So we go back and order 2 small rolls. Anxiously asking if our 1 free large roll would cover our 2 small rolls, happy to say they did it for us. So 2 rolls ordered, this time it was only a 7 minute wait, and no frat boys. So the runner brings the food out and.... It looks like if a sushi roll and a burrito had a baby! So, take a 6" piece of nori, make it like a junior burrito with some un-seasoned rice, and just roll it all up into a big open-ended roll.... Really disappointed, my GF went up to say "no no no no no, this is wrong". So apparently they are changing up the way they operate. Now instead of a make your sushi roll, you'll get a baby burrito with all the flavors mashed up inside. Disappointed! We were even told that soon, they want these small rolls to be only for children, so you'll have to order the large burrito style rolls or bowls that range in price from $8-$12, and I can only imagine 1200 calories. Can't anyone come up with something different than "insert cuisine here" chipotle style? Trying to eat these was a total mess, not tightly rolled, the ingredients not spread evenly throughout and just bland under seasoned rice. If this is how motomaki is going to run and turn into a sushi-style chipotle, I won't be going back.
(2)Brett V.
Jiro would shed a tear... I had a yearning for sushi and had been curious ever since I saw them starting construction. I am by no means a sushi snob, but this place is an absolute disgrace to sushi. It takes every ounce of precision and delicacy, just mashes it was cilantro-siriracha garlic aoli. This place is one (tiny) step away from pouring nacho cheese all over a roll (sorry Motomaki, I already own the rights). That being said, I give it 2 stars because their Shrimp Tempura "ALL THE THINGS!!!" sushi-rito was aaaaactually kinda good. Just don't call it sushi.
(2)Rachel Z.
Yay, another great fast casual place comes to Boulder! This one is a new venture by the owners of Hapa sushi, and while it's still working out some early kinks, we thoroughly enjoyed it and plan to be back. There are plenty of vegan options available here, but it took some detective work to figure it out, as the menu is not currently labeled (this may be changing in the future). We ended up ordering the tofu vegetable roll (make sure to sub out the jalapeno cilantro aioli for a vegan version; we went with the poke and that was super-good), then my husband and I each did some make-your-own maki. I think the combo I chose was particularly great: avocado, cucumber, cilantro, mango salsa, and yuzu dressing. At the moment, the make-your-own rolls are about half the size of the ones already on the menu, though the staff made it sound like this may change. Half of a big roll and one small one was enough food for me, while my husband had 2 small rolls and half a big one.
(4)Sarah G.
Amazing food, amazing service, and a great space! I frequent this place at least once a week :)
(5)Marybeth L.
Sushi the size of a burrito. You can't go wrong with that. It's kind of messy to eat, but SO GOOD.
(4)Weston B.
Great addition to the row of fast casual restaurants gathering in the 29th Street Mall. Huge supporter in the growing popularity of burrito sized sushi rolls. Affordable and delicious.
(4)Alex M.
Line moves quickly when ordering and plenty of tables to sit at. Great service, food comes fast and tastes awesome.
(5)Tim J.
Been here about 6-7 times now. The quality is always consistently great and servers are friendly.
(5)Mike K.
While it is a bit expensive for a every day lunch, I feel that you do get good value for money. A single maki would be equal to two standard size sushi rolls, so a $15 lunch bill with tip isn't too far a stretch. My only gripe is that the method of splitting the burrito/rolls into two parts. Both times I have gone, there have been small shards of tinfoil that I have had to pick out. After doing this, both the salmon poke and shrimp tempura versions were very very tasty. Will be back! Flavor: 5 Service: 5 Price: 3, $$$
(5)Christopher M.
Nope, nope and nope! weird concept and we were in the neighborhood, so we gave it a try over proper sushi bars, big mistake!. Over salted and low quality ingredients. A disgrace to sushi kind, terrible and gross. Sushi is meant to be an experience, not a shove in your face like a sloppy burrito affair, and the aftertaste! omg pass the barf bag!
(1)Casino C.
I love this place! Motomaki sells sushi "burritos" or sushi bowls ranging between $9 to $12. I had the nacho tuna bowl while my friends had the Kalbi roll and the hamachi poke (best described as raw sushi fish and chips). At first, I thought the price of my $12 roll was a slightly expensive, but as a 5'10, 190 pound guy, I could only eat half my roll despite wanting to eat it all. The hamachi poki was really good a well and is definitely recommended. My only complaint is that even though they have wifi available, they are not giving access to customers. Slightly disappointing, but luckily for them, if you are workaholic like me, you can hop on the wifi available next door.
(5)Bry Z.
One of my new favorite places in Boulder. The salmon poke role was out of this world.
(5)C. Y.
Pretty much American-Japanese fusion. It's a great fast food option that satisfies my need sushi and a quick and affordable option. Had the Salmon bowl, it was great. Had veggies, rice, salmon, spicy mayonnaise. If you're looking for authentic japanese, don't go here.
(5)Kathy D.
This place is delicious! I had the shrimp tempura bowl--in addition to shrimp tempura, there was vegetable tempura, spicy tuna, avocado, California roll crab meat, all over rice and sprinkled with tenkasu. It was filling and satisfying! Tasted fresh, with a great balance of textures. Motomaki is in a shopping lot, so there's plenty of parking. The space is big and relaxing, service is fast. Perfect for a casual lunch! $10-12 a bowl. Prices seemed perfectly reasonable to me, but maybe it's what I'd expect to be paying in NY for an easy lunch. Bring Motomaki this way!
(5)Nikki M.
I'd say it's ok to have if you're on the go, feel like a hint of mid-grade sushi... WARNING: Maybe it's just me, but after giving this 3-4 chances...each time I had stomach issues the next day. Upset digestive system and Like, things burned* coming out the other end. Sorry to imply graphic details but just thought others might want to know...strange because I can handle spicy Mayo and sauces at other Sushi places, but something in the ingredients here is off... I eat pretty healthy whole foods overall, so maybe I'm more sensitive? Some people have stomachs built to handle anything- but if you have to travel the next day, or you know, "function" in your office job- you might want to know the chance you're taking.
(3)Alvin O.
This was my first time at Motomaki and I can definitely say it won't disappoint! Coming from the east coast, I had heard all about sushi burritos on the west coast, specifically in California. However, when I heard there was a place that served it here in Boulder, I was more than excited. Four stars! THE GOODNESS --- Food: I ordered the Salmon Poke Roll which had salmon poke, bacon, asparagus, avocado, cucumber, crispy onions, moto slaw, and sriacha aioli. It was a little strange to see bacon in a sushi roll at first, but for some reason it worked. The salmon did get lost in the roll at moments, but it was easily forgotten because the bacon actually added a lot of good flavor and texture. Every bite had me wanting more and it was nice that they give you a small dish for soy sauce/wasabi. Definitely tasted like sushi! Also, if you have ever been a fan of Ramune drinks, this place will make your childhood come to life. --- Environment: Very casual and open, especially enjoyed the Japan-inspired pictures on the wall. We had a group of 14+ people and did not have much trouble finding seating. Food also came out very quick. THE NOT SO GOODNESS --- Price: Although everything was delicious, it was a little pricey at $12, considering the lack of sides. With a single burrito, I still felt like I needed small snack after, but that's also because I eat an unreasonable amount. Still, it would be nice to have some sides on the dish with the burrito. --- Service: Workers here could be a little nicer. I know it is a casual restaurant, but definitely felt a little distant and fast-food like. WOULD I COME BACK? --- Yes. Sushi in a burrito that actually tastes good. Why wouldn't I?
(4)Sara M.
My most important thing to say, I think, is that this is not a sushi restaurant and you will be disappointed if you come thinking that it is. I have been to Motomaki a few times since they opened. The first visits were not very successful for me. I tried to get sushi-like items and they had actual regular size rolls in the beginning. They were not particularly good. Now it appears that the "sushi style" ingredients in the big burrito form and the Asian fusion mixed bowls are what is on the menu. If you go thinking "modern casual mix of asian influenced ingredients" served in large format and priced as such, you'll be fine. I had the shrimp tempura bowl today and though it had a bit too much sauce on it for my taste, it was quite interesting. The shrimp and asparagus tempura were nicely fried and not greasy at all. The sriracha aioli had a good tang. The veggies and the rice were fine. The other sauce was a bit sweet. The tuna mix was tasty and fresh. In the past, I found the raw fish here not fresh enough. I think the answer is, go when they are busy and busy all week.
(3)Lindsey N.
Nope. Not okay. Definitely feeling cheated and quite offended at this point. Just when you think motomaki is a decent place, I have to demote my 5 star rating to a 1 star. I don't know what kind of game this place is playing, but there's absolutely no way them raising their prices by TWO DOLLARS is gonna fly with me or any self-respecting person. The sushi burritos were great but... Only for that price. I'd much rather take my money elsewhere if this fast food concept thinks it values at $12-14. Who is motomaki trying to fool here? Not a fan. Yes, I had some fond flavor memories here, but it's a thing of the past and I won't be looking back.
(1)Mike S.
Motomaki is a decent place if you just want rolls, just be aware that they don't serve sushi nigiri style. It's a casual place. You order at the register and grab any open table. We went in late so it was nice and fast. I ordered the Salmon Poke Moto. This has salmon, avocado, bacon and a bunch of other stuff. It was good but I probably should have gotten something more basic. I found the bacon a little off-putting in a roll. The salmon got kind of lost. My wife ordered a custom roll with just salmon and avocado. It was better for the simplicity. In both rolls, the salmon was of decent quality. We also had sides of seaweed salad and edamame. Both were large portions and very good. My only issue with Motomaki is that they serve the rolls cut in half and wrapped in foil like a burrito, rather than cut into bite size pieces like you normally get a roll. We found that the rolls fall apart, making it messy to eat. Also made it harder to add the wasabi and soy sauce for every bite. I ended up with soy sauce all over my hands. Would be easier to serve cut up so they're edible with chop sticks. Each roll cost $12 and the sides $5 each. It was quite a bit of food so the prices were reasonable. Now that I know what I'm getting, I'd probably visit Motomaki again if I'm in the area and in the mood for a quick sushi roll.
(3)Bill C.
I honestly was not sure if their combos would be good, but I am finding myself a week later having a little craving. Got the bowl with salmon, asparagus and bacon. Super good. Would definitely have that same thing again! Great lunch place.
(4)Kellie A.
I first saw a picture of a sushi burrito on Instagram a few months ago, and I've been on the hunt ever since. Finally managed to make the trek to Boulder to try Motomaki, and it exceeded my expectations! I built my own burrito with nori, white rice, salmon, pickled daikon, avocado, lettuce, cucumber, sprouts and sriracha aioli. The aioli had the BEST flavor. I never wanted it to end. I predict many future schleps to Boulder for Motomaki.
(5)Blair C.
Ever since I've had Sushiritto in San Francisco, I've been waiting patiently for a restaurant like it to open. My prayers have been answered! The only reason that I'm giving Motomaki a 4 star is because I vehemently compare it to Sushiritto. I've had tried their salmon poke, shrimp tempura roll, and soft shell crab. I have not been disappointed yet and the sauce they use makes their big rolls taste a lot better. The one thing I don't like is how the rolls fall apart real easily. Sometimes I have to eat it with chopsticks because it falls apart.
(4)Jessica H.
Tasty! I was a little hesitant at first. I thought they might overload on rice in the burrito and skimp on fillings but I was wrong! The Seared Ahi Tuna Club had a good balance of flavors, and most importantly I could actually taste the ahi tuna. The wasabi aioli was also a great addition to the roll. In terms of restaurant appeal, I like the overall ambiance and layout of the restaurant--it's clean and modern. My only quibble is that the portions are kind of small considering the price. At least for me, I finished my roll and still wanted a snack afterward.
(4)Garkie Z.
This place is delicious. That being said it's also pretty expensive. We came here for the sushirittos of course and honestly you're not leaving that place without at least paying a good $10-15 for a sushiritto cause they charge for every ingredient you put in that thing except for rice. If you're willing to overlook the pricey part of that I think you'll enjoy this place. I ordered a sushiritto comprised of: Nori (seaweed) Brown Rice Salmon Poke Avocado Pickled Diakon and Carrots and Ponzu Sauce. It was very good- got a little messy at the end but overall I thought the ingredients tasted fresh and worth coming back for again.
(4)Holly M.
Wow! I wasn't expecting it to be this good! I ordered the tempura shrimp roll, which was as big as a burrito. It was so good! I didn't need to order the salmon poke, but it was my first time here, so I didn't know. Absolutely delicious! The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was because the person who took my order didn't ask if I'd been here before and didn't walk me through it. Otherwise, it was perfect! So happy to have discovered it!
(4)Ty L.
Two words - sushi burrito. Do u need any more reason to come here. Legit raw fish, but lots of other cooked alternatives, wrapped w sticky rice and seaweed. This place is amazing
(5)Jenn M.
Two words-- shrimp. tempura. It's absolutely delicious! Add that to the fast and pleasant service in a cool atmosphere, and you have one awesome sushi place!
(4)A Marie J.
Fairly new place and a great and unique concept. This is a fast casual restaurant. You order your food and they give you a pager to pick it up when it is ready. They have salads, bowls, huge sushi rolls wrapped in foil ( a burrito roll) and a selection of sake and beer. The food is fresh and good and the service is friendly. Today I enjoyed the tempura shrimp roll. I would definitely recommend.
(3)Bre P.
Great burritos with sushi grade fish. I split the Nacho Burrito and Korean BBQ one - both so good! I will be back
(5)Carrie N.
Motomaki is not my favorite place in Boulder, but it definitely fills a void - and boy, do they do it well! From the burrito-sized rolls to the inventive list of options before making it to the build-your-own option. Service is usually pretty quick. The food comes out quickly. The atmosphere makes the whole place feel hip. And they have enough seating that it never feels crowded, as their style of service allows them to flip tables quickly. I often go for their tofu roll. Its quality is inconsistant - it seems some are better than others at packing and rolling without producing a soppy mess. The edamame is always oversalted, but I can imagine some people like that. My partner has never had a poor roll, though. He remains forever infatuated with their food. And now that they're on Hungry Buffs, it makes it easier than ever to get our fill of Motomaki. Jumping in the delivery game was a great idea, as I can attest that I eat their food much more frequently than I would otherwise. If you haven't had a chance yet, give it a try! You might be pleasantly surprised.
(3)Liz S.
Yummy yum yum! I absolutely love the concept behind Motomaki - it is essentially a chipotle and pei wei mixed together to deliver great sushi burritos and bowls. You can design your own or choose from their pre-created menu (which is what I suggest doing because you get way more bang for your buck!) With tons of veggie and protein options to choose from, Motomaki is the perfect solution for sushi lovers who need to pick something up on the fly! When I went, I got the Shrimp Tempura wrap and not only is it a ton of food, it was so fresh and each item was so flavorful that when all combined it was truly mind blowing. On taste alone, I would give this place 5 stars but the staff isn't particularly friendly and you really have to know what youre doing going into it because they aren't interested in helping you figure anything out...the only bummer of hiring college students who would rather be anywhere but at work. All in all, I was impressed with Motomaki but strongly suggest checking out the menu online and the other reviews here before heading in for your first time!
(4)Hannah E.
I'll always, always take a nori-wrapped Japanese-inspired 'burrito' over a sandwich of any kind. Even before the whole sushi-rito thing started taking over, I always sort of wondered why people couldn't just make supersized rolls. I guess they can! There was nothing particularly sushi-roll inspired about the roll I got (Curry Salmon: 'grilled salmon, Japanese curry, cucumber, moto slaw, avocado, tempura asparagus, crispy onions'). It was more like a donburi and a salad thrown together and then deconstructed (or, in this case, would it be constructed?). I could detect no curry in my salmon, or much slaw, for that matter, but I didn't care that much because it had a ton of avocado and I. Love. Avocado. Avocado can compensate for lack of flavor, at least in the court of my preferences - not so much in the court of creativity. They do need to work on how they package their to-go stuff. The burrito - nearly Chipotle-sized - came with chopsticks. What am I gonna do with chopsticks with this thing? Then, the sauce containers could accommodate dipping maybe 1/8 of the width of the burrito. Luckily I found this more amusing than frustrating because I was eating at my kitchen table, not a park or somewhere I couldn't improvise.
(3)Cristina C.
I love this concept! Whether you want a sushi roll or a sushi bowl...you can choose from a number of proteins and top it off with yummy things like flavored mayos, inspired condiments and fresh veggies. There is kalbi tofu, beef, chicken, pork, vegetarian options, GF...it's great for all eaters. My kalbi bowl was terrific. Not too much rice, tons of kalbi beef...I loved it but wanted a slightly lighter hand on the mayo switch. Next time I think I'll ask for that on the side...you know...gotta maintain those curves! My other had the chicken bowl. It is definitely a 'sweet' teriyaki so I am sure it will please lots of palates. Again, the chicken is not the healthiest...but it tasted awesome and the two bowls we ordered could have filled us up for lunch and dinner. I'll be back to try more!
(4)Michael J.
BEWARE all true sushi consumers: this establishment is not the normal sushi bar. Actually the rolls are wraps. No seats at the bar...because there isn't one. Atmosphere = 0. Apparently a "fusion' place for the younger crowd? Not my cup of tea. Good luck.
(1)Rachel C.
If you're familiar with / a fan of Sushirrito (from San Francisco), you will be delighted to know that Boulder has its own clone in the form of Motomaki. It's a fun idea, to eat a giant sushi roll with your hands... because who doesn't love Chipotle and sushi? Their motomaki ingredient pairings are clever and unexpected, much more than just your typical sushi bar fare (aka the Alaskan, Dragon, and Rainbow rolls of the world). My boyfriend and I finally got a chance to visit and ordered the Kalbi and Salmon Poke motomaki. I was pleasantly surprised at how much kalbi I had in my roll, and loved the flavors! The Salmon Poke was great as well - it's almost like a club sandwich (but with salmon instead of turkey and rice instead of bread). It also has BACON so you can't go wrong... While Motomaki is a novel concept, I personally prefer to eat normal-sized maki rolls with chopsticks. The unfortunate thing about eating a sushi roll this large is that you don't get every flavor in every bite - they are naturally segregated due to the layering of ingredients (same with a Chipotle burrito). They do offer their motomakis as a bowl, which sounds like an option I may be more interested in (although probably more rice!). Overall, definitely worth experiencing once, if not many more times.
(4)Christy V.
I just discovered this place thanks to a Yelp friend and I have to say that I really loved it. I had the shrimp tempura bowl and it was delicious - very sizeable and the sauce was yummy. I was initially confused by the menu and ordered kind of on the fly - lunch time is extremely busy here and I didn't want to make anyone behind me wait. I would probably pore over the options a little more next time. So many choices! The space is clean and bright and very accessible although parking in that lot is a nightmare.
(4)Johnathon B.
I first tried this place a few months back, but happened to return for lunch yesterday. The reason was because a close friend moved back here to Colorado from San Diego. He asked me if I knew of any new restaurants since his 4-5 year departure. I never got around to a review back then, but here I am now. I am highly satisfied! In fact, the food was even better then I remembered. Since he was out on the East coast, I figured he would know about this trend, being a sushi burrito. He had never heard of it, but was eager to accompany me. I ordereed the Nacho Tuna and the Kalbi ones. He ordered the seared tuna, but over greens, since he was on a low carb diet [I eventually got him to try my nacho tuna to at least get the experience ;)]. They come out to you after being handmade and presented fairly nicely. The basic premise of the food is that it is sushi rolled up into a burrito shape with seaweed or soy paper. You also have the option to make your own, with your choice of veggies, which proteins, type of rice and sauces. The ones I ordered were so delicious! I seriously was just enjoying the food so much that both of my orders were gone within a matter of minutes! I really like this place and how pretty healthy it is also to eat here. I highly recommend this place to anyone in the area, or if you have never had a sushi burrito!
(5)Cruz K.
Love this spot! The prices are a little high, but the rolls are fantastic and it's nice to have some diversity. Definitely worth trying. The service is pretty quick inside, so it's more of a grab and go kind of spot. They also have online ordering from their website now with OrderAhead. It's great (I use it at Currry n Kebob). motomaki.com
(5)John A.
Very good food. Very hip. Very loud. This restaurant is where I go to feel cool and "in" (and old). Seriously, The food is yummy. The portions are large, but it's not cheap. No sir. It is worth it however. I've tried a few dishes and enjoyed them...as did my entourage. I feel like my text on Motomaki cannot do it justice, nor does it explain in any detail the experience or delicacies, so don't take my word for it. Go ahead and try it out.
(4)Jamie C.
If my friends know me at all, they know that I'm a burrito junkie and when buzzfeed came out with an article of the top something burrito places in the states to try, I saw one called Sushirrito in San Francisco and I was soooooooooo curious about what it would be like. Then all my friends in Boulder started posting pictures of Motomaki and I was excited I didn't have to wait til the next time I was in San Francisco to try a sushi in burrito form. I have to say, I was quite disappointed. I feel like it's a little overrated. My friends and I like to try a bunch of stuff when we go visit and new place together so we had the kalbi, soft shell crab, shrimp tempura and salmon poke. The kalbi was terrible, super heavy and flavorful. It is definitely better as a rice bowl than a burrito. The soft shell crab was my favorite but that's only because I made adjustments and took out the curry flavored bell peppers as I didn't think it would compliment it and I added jalepenos. My friend said I was spot on for taking that out because she ended up liking it more as well and she was actually scared to try it since her other friend had told her he did not like it at all. The shrimp tempura was standard and I did not like the flavor in the salmon poke. I didn't even finish it! If I go back, I'm totally choosing my own ingredients or sticking with my soft shell crab modifications, which if that's the case, they should set it up in a Chipotle/Subway fashion.
(2)Tammy N.
What an awesome concept from the cool people behind Hapa Sushi, who were clever enough to combine my love of burritos and sushi into one! Motomaki is conveniently located in the 29th Street Mall, on the side where all of the eateries are located. It is definitely a more casual restaurant, but I believe that is exactly what gives it its trendy vibe when you walk in the door. There is a huge menu on the wall, with the option of creating your own roll or bowl, or choosing one of their signature pre-made items. I ended up going for the salmon poke in roll form and was not disappointed! The roll is a bit hard to eat without having something fall onto your lap, which I learned the hard way, but only because there is so much packed into the roll itself. I suggest eating it slowly and directly over the table if possible. The salmon poke was delicious and tasted fresh, especially with the use of sriacha aioli that truly enhanced the flavor of the fish. I really enjoyed the flavor combinations since it was layered throughout the roll and I was able to get a bite of every little bit each time. Extra brownie points for not putting all of the aioli at the very bottom. I also liked how they even experiment with Asian fusion, evident in rolls such as the banh mi roll or the kalbi (Korean style beef) roll. I'll have to try those whenever I find myself here again. Certainly a nice addition to Boulder's growing restaurant scene!
(4)Tanner L.
Tuna, salmon, bacon, asparagus, spicy mayo This place is delicious and I want to try everything on the menu.
(5)Elissa Lin R.
This place is like a Japanese/Hawaiian version of Chitpole: fast, nutritious and DELICIOUS! This is even better, as you can get nutritious and light TASTY meal in a bowl over mixed salad instead of white or brown rice. While the Sriracha Aioli is delicious, you can cut down on the calories further by having it on the side. I want this store to come to New York, PLEASE!!
(5)Alice K.
Love the concept of a sushi burrito-roll. (We all know how much I love burritos...) I tried the Salmon Poke and my companion ordered the Mochiko Chicken. I loved mine and liked hers - the Mochiko was a little sweet, but still tasty. I would definitely go back to try their other dishes.
(4)Andrea L.
I had not heard of this new fusion food: sushi burrito. It's good. I had the shrimp tempura roll & really liked it. It is messy but that's okay by me. I guess it's a bit expensive too, $13 or $14 for my roll & drink. It didn't seem unreasonable.
(4)Steven W.
I visited this place with great expectations from the Yelpers and it was disappointing. The concept was super and I love the idea of "sushi like burritoes" however the execution did not match the theory. I started with the hamachi poke... I love hamachi so was really looking forward to this dish but they put way to much soy and all I tasted was salt. I then had a soft shell crab roll that was ok but the crab was a bit overcooked and a bit cold. I was not happy with my dish. My friend had a rice plate with beef. He generally really likes asian food but he also did not like the flavors in his dish. I would really liked to have given more stars to this place but simply cant.. I am not sure if I would go back and give it another try... Steve
(2)Kristina N.
Came here late one night and discovered that this is a new restaurant to Boulder in the 29th Street plaza area. Knowing nothing about this place, we went in and ordered at the counter. I ordered a "salmon poke" bowl and my bf ordered a make-your-own-maki roll. Note that anything can be turned into a maki (sushirrito type thing) or a bowl. We spoke with the girl at the counter, turns out she was the general manager at Hapa in Denver and that Hapa owns Motomaki. Hearing this, I immediately had high expectations for this place as I love Hapa for the Asian-American sushi. For some reason, my bf forgot he ordered a roll and ate my bowl. The ingredients we both go were very similar minus one or two things. I was pretty disappointed in the food. Half of my maki was pretty decent, not the worst, while the other half was very bland tasting (I don't know why half is different, it was the same maki). The reviews for this place are really overhyped. I can see potential for this restaurant in Boulder, they just need to step up their food game especially for the price. I like the atmosphere and decor here, but this is not going to be one of my go-to places when I go back to Boulder.
(3)Gary S.
Every now and again I used to splurge on Motomaki for a fun meal. It was reasonably good for the cost. Granted, the Kalbi (pronounced Galbi) meal they serve actually costs about 2 dollars in South Korea, but they did a decent job with it, despite the Kim Chi being very lackluster. Tried to go back there today and was startled to find that they have DRAMATICALLY UPPED THE PRICES. The 10$ lunch increased by a whopping 20% to 12$. It's basically a 2$ hike on everything. I won't be returning to Motomaki until the prices are back down to a reasonable level and I will be telling as many people as possible about the new prices. They serve glorified street food from Asian countries wrapped for our benefit. It's not worth the cost anymore.
(1)John D.
I eat low carb and thought doing the make your own option would allow for NO rice. The girl at the counter told me "they aren't supposed to do that". After checking with the cooks she helped me anyway but it was clear I was in uncharted waters here. I asked if maybe they had a bowl option and they looked even more confused. I thought they sold bowls here where you can put anything you want in it?? Guess not. She actually couldn't even get the computer to print out my order and had to hand write it. Weird considering the menu configuration shows a "make your own" option which I thought I was doing. Either they have a staff training issue or they really don't cater to the paleo / low carb eaters. Too bad as Boulder is very Paleo. Wish their menu made it easier to leave out the carbs. I could have sworn they have bowls here but guess not. Food flavor and taste was very good but not sure I'll be back if it's that big a hassle to have no rice.
(3)Jae S.
Why get a bunch of sushi rolls but you can just get one massive sushi roll? Because you're going to sacrifice on quality. Don't get me wrong, the salmon poke roll was great for a quick, delicious, and cheap bite that's better than the supermarket sushi. The flavors were big and bold (bacon and salmon and sriracha aioli) and the rice was the perfect sushi consistency, but the actual pieces of salmon were subpar and hard to eat (big chucks that you have to practically tear through instead of melts-in-mouth). If you've worked up an appetite while shopping and want to try something new, give Motomaki that chance.
(3)