Moku Bistro presents a sophisticated Japanese culinary experience, specializing in expertly crafted sushi and innovative tartare dishes. The menu showcases a commitment to fresh, high-quality ingredients, expertly prepared to highlight the natural flavors of the sea and land. Diners can anticipate a diverse selection of nigiri, maki rolls, and sashimi, alongside unique tartare creations that offer a contemporary twist on classic preparations. The ambiance is designed to complement the refined cuisine, providing a vibrant yet intimate setting for a memorable meal. This establishment is known for its precise execution and thoughtful presentation, making it a destination for authentic Japanese flavors with a modern sensibility.
Moku Bistro is widely celebrated as a standout Japanese dining destination in Montreal, praised for its cozy, chic atmosphere and consistently delicious, high-quality cuisine. Visitors frequently highlight the exceptional service, noting that the staff is attentive, kind, and knowledgeable in providing dish recommendations. Popular menu items include the flavorful steak, fresh sashimi platters, various pressed sushi options, and the signature hojicha crème brûlée. While experiences regarding portion sizes and seating arrangements vary, the overall consensus is that the restaurant offers a refined and memorable culinary experience that leaves guests eager to return for future visits.
We were 4 people & shared many dishes, but most of them were just okay. While the presentation & service were great, the food didn't taste much like Japanese cuisine.
The only truly excellent dish was the karaage chicken. The beef tartare was good, but nothing special. The salmon tartare was overpowered by the strong flavour of both dried & fresh dill. The agedashi tofu was the worst I've ever had. The chicken skewers had a decent texture but were bland. The miso nasu (eggplant) was as far from Japanese flavours as it could possibly be & instead resembled a poorly executed Mediterranean dish.
The MOKU ramen was good. The salmon & tuna oshizushi were the closest to authentic Japanese food, but even they were underwhelming & tasted like something from an average all-you-can-eat restaurant.
I wanted to give the restaurant another chance, so I ordered the salmon tataki, but it was a total disappointment. A few tiny pieces of salmon were swimming in a large bowl of ponzu, making it impossible to taste the salmon itself.
Overall, I was quite disappointed.
We had dinner at this Japanese restaurant & overall had a very enjoyable experience. The service was excellent from start to finish. The staff were friendly, attentive, & made us feel very welcome throughout the meal.
The Kaisen Don was one of our favorite dishes. The ingredients were fresh, flavorful, & well presented. We also really enjoyed the Hamachi sushi, which I would definitely recommend. The fish was fresh & had a nice texture & flavor.
We also tried the Kawa, which is fried chicken skin. It was quite good, although it was a little too spicy for our taste. The ramen was another highlight of the meal. The broth was flavorful & the noodles were cooked nicely. However, the fried onion topping was slightly bitter, which took away a little from the overall taste.
The chicken karaage was also good, but unfortunately it wasn't as crispy as we expected. Despite these small issues, the overall quality of the food was good, & we enjoyed our dinner.
With excellent service, good food, & several dishes we really liked, especially the Kaisen Don, Hamachi sushi, & ramen, we would be happy to come back & try more dishes.
This is the type of restaurant Montreal needed to have for a long time. Out of the park service & food. The flavors are cleverly combined, well presented, & so fresh. I absolutely love the attentive & friendly service. I've already came here a few times, & the food is consistently excellent at each visit. If you want a superb night out, I highly recommend to come here.
Overall, the portions were quite small. The staff were friendly, & the atmosphere was nice, but the tables were far too close together. At times, it felt like we were dining with the people at the next table.
The miso pasta had an excellent sauce, but the pasta itself was undercooked. The sashimi wasn't fresh enough for me to recommend, although I'm not sure if that was just the case on the day we visited.
The oshizushi, however, was very satisfying & delicious. Since it's close to where we live, we'll probably come back. As for recommending it to friends, I'm still on the fence.
If you love Japanese food, this place is an absolute must-try! I've lived in Japan, visited countless times, & tried pretty much every Japanese restaurant in Montreal... & Moku Bistro was a total coup de coeur! 💗
What sets it apart right away is the menu: it offers something genuinely different from what you usually find at Japanese restaurants here in Montreal.
But the food alone isn't what made this visit so special. My server Han was absolutely outstanding. When I told him I wanted to try multiple dishes but was dining solo with limited stomach space, he curated a small tasting menu of appetizers that were perfectly balanced - building from fresh & spicy to rich & umami. Every recommendation was completely on point.
We started with the tako wasabi (very fresh with just the right kick), then the corn rib, & finished with the toro oshizushi that was incredibly rich with beautiful textures, topped with caviar. & DO NOT skip the hojicha crème brûlée for dessert! Absolutely delicious with strong hojicha taste.
The service throughout was impeccable, attentive without being overbearing. Utensils were changed, water refilled, napkins replenished, all without having to ask. That level of care really elevates the whole experience. I will absolutely be back.
this is a beautiful, gently upscale restaurant, with a short, curated menu of Japanese food. prices are representative of that. the food is beautifully prepared. we had the burrata pistachio pesto starter & also ordered the Moku Ramen, the 12 piece sashimi & the Kaisen Don. the person who ordered the Ramen was satisfied, as was the person who ordered the sashimi, which comes with the most popular fish (salmon yellowtail & toro). the Kaisen Don was more varied & had slightly fewer pieces (two types of tuna, salmon, scallop, yellowtail, amaebi & some various roe but still, not very adventurous). the hojicha crème brulé was delicious & well--made. the fish is as fresh as we get in Montreal, which is not that fresh compared to BC or Japan, but it is OK. the service was only OK, we had to look for our waiter, but on the other hand we were not rushed out the door, either. it was a pretty slow night, so they were not hungry for our table.
overall, i find the prices are a bit high for everything & the quality is average, although the dessert & starter were interesting & well done.
Nice Japanese bistro. I came during soft opening so there weren't a lot of people. Since it was so empty, I couldn't really evaluate the exact vibe. The food was good. The sashimi was fresh. The karaage was crispy. The salmon tartare & the flambé hamachi were ok but nothing exceptional. I didn't get to try their other dishes.
