Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
oChef » Moli Bento – Seattle
Moli Bento - Seattle
Photo from Moli Bento
Moli Bento at a glance
Seattle Madison Valley
- 🍜 Asian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 17 of the guests
#613 out of 858 places to eat in Seattle
#15 Asian Restaurant out of 20 in Seattle
Good
6.8 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
109
Reviews
65.1%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Affordable food
- Friendly service
Frequently criticized
- Cleanliness concerns
- Dry chicken
The restaurant Moli Bento, an inviting Asian restaurant nestled in Seattle’s vibrant Madison Valley neighborhood, offers a delightful culinary experience. You’ll find a casual atmosphere perfect for enjoying a quick bite or a relaxed meal.
With a focus on small plates and healthy options, it’s an ideal spot whether you’re dining in, grabbing takeout, or enjoying the outdoor seating. This spot caters to various dining preferences, from brunch to dinner.
Overview: Introducting Moli Bento
Moli Bento presents itself as a straightforward spot where the focus is largely on what’s on your plate. Many appreciate the affordable prices and generous portions, often highlighting the value received for their meal.
The friendly staff also frequently earns praise, contributing to a welcoming atmosphere for many. However, it’s not without its drawbacks.
Some patrons have noted cleanliness issues and a generally uninspired atmosphere, while others have occasionally encountered dry chicken or bland flavors. It seems to be a place where the food and service often outweigh concerns about the dining environment.
Good
6.8
out of 10
109
Reviews
65.1%
Satisfaction
31
negative
7
neutral
71
positive
Moli Bento earns an overall Restaurant Score of 6.8, placing it in the good range, though customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 65.1%. This slight divergence suggests that while many find it a solid choice, a notable segment of diners leaves feeling less impressed.
This assessment is drawn from 109 customer observations, with 71 positive remarks contrasting with 31 negative ones. Delving into specifics, Value (8) stands out as a strong point, indicating customers feel they get their money’s worth.
Both Food (7) and Service (7) also rate well, suggesting a generally positive experience in these key areas. However, Ambience (5.2) falls into the average category, aligning with comments about the restaurant’s less-than-stellar dining environment.
What people like
- Affordable, good portions
- Friendly, fast service
- Tasty teriyaki options
What people don't like
- Cleanliness concerns
- Dry, bland food
- Uninspired atmosphere
If you’re seeking a quick, satisfying meal that won’t break the bank, Moli Bento is a contender. Its 7.2 recommendation score suggests it’s worth considering, especially if your priority is good value and efficient service over a polished dining experience.
It’s a practical choice for a reliable, no-frills meal. However, if atmosphere and pristine surroundings are high on your list, you might find it lacking.
Go in with realistic expectations, focusing on the food and its affordability, and you’re likely to have a decent experience.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Moli Bento
Food (7 out of 10)
mentioned by 96% of the guests
Overall, the food here gets a solid 7 score, indicating a good experience for many diners. With 41 positive remarks out of 59 total, customers frequently rave about the delicious chicken teriyaki and satisfying plate lunches. Many appreciate the big portions and consistently great food quality, often exceeding expectations.
However, customer satisfaction sits at a 69.5%, suggesting a mixed bag for some. About 16 comments point to occasional issues like bland food or surprisingly small portions. Some found the chicken or rice to be dry, and a few were disappointed by the lack of hot sauce.
Food
59
Reviews
69%
Satisfaction
16
negative
2
neutral
41
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious teriyaki
- Generous portions
- Great food quality
What people don't like
- Food can be bland
- Chicken can be dry
- Portions sometimes small
Often praised
- foodIt's one of the best tasting teriyaki places I've had in Seattle. The food was excellent, and the atmosphere was also top-notch.
- chicken teriyakiThe menu provides a decent variety of dishes without losing its signature style. I particularly recommend the chicken katsu, chicken teriyaki, and tofu yakisoba.
- chicken katsuchicken teriyaki and chicken katsu - so good!
- portionsthe prices, portions, and quality of the food are like a time capsule
- C-1 comboMy favorite is the C-1 combo
- Chicken Teriyakibest Chicken Teriyaki I have had!! So good!
- GyozaThe Gyoza was perfectly cooked
- Teriyakia good example of it
- balanced flavormuch more balanced, flavor-wise
- comfort foodperfect for when you're in the mood for comfort food
Frequently criticized
- chickenThe chicken was grilled at some point and when you order it's reheated in a frying pan.
- hot sauceStange for them to say no to hot sauce
- ricethe rice was dry, never experienced before
- chicken piecesGet very few chicken pieces
- chicken teriyakidriest chicken teriyaki I've had in a long time
- dryDry and a small portion.
- foodfood was kinda bland
- gyozaThe gyoza was the reheated costco brand not great
- overcooked chickensame dry overcooked chicken
- portiona small portion
If you're craving classic teriyaki with generous portions and balanced flavors, this spot is definitely worth a visit. Just be aware that some experiences mention dry chicken or blandness, so manage your expectations for a consistently perfect meal.
Service (7 out of 10)
mentioned by 62% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark with a solid 7 score, which is quite good! Many customers rave about the incredibly friendly staff, especially the owner and the man at the counter, who are often described as super kind and polite. You can expect fast service and an impeccable experience, with 14 positive remarks out of 22 total highlighting these great interactions.
However, the customer satisfaction, sitting at a somewhat mixed 63.6%, suggests there's room for improvement. A few experiences mention a rude worker and issues with waiting time, with some even noting a lack of menu knowledge from staff. These 6 negative comments indicate that while often great, service can occasionally fall short, leading to some customers leaving immediately.
Service
22
Reviews
63%
Satisfaction
6
negative
2
neutral
14
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Fast service
- Kind owner
What people don't like
- Rude worker
- Long waiting time
- Poor menu knowledge
Often praised
- ownerthe owner said it was ok if we stayed a little late
- serviceService was great - food brought to us in already to go boxes super fast.
- UnkoUnko is also super nice
- friendly staffThe man who works here is always friendly
- man at the counterThe man at the counter was friendly
- order readyMy experience ordering the chicken teriyaki for takeout at lunch was fantastic! The man at the counter was friendly and had my order ready in less than 5 minutes. While the inside isn't fancy, it's clean and cozy.
- serverPolite server.
Frequently criticized
- left immediatelyI left immediately
- menu knowledgeolder gentlemen behind the counter had no clue what was even on the menu
- plastic containersowner trashes plastic containers in compost
- rude workerhow rude the worker here was
- serviceService:1
- waiting timehad to wait close to 10 min for our food
Overall, if youre looking for a place with generally friendly staff and quick service, its definitely worth a visit. Just be aware that there's a slight chance of encountering a less-than-stellar interaction or a bit of a wait, which might temper your experience.
Ambience (5.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 42% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, many customers found the atmosphere clean and cozy, often describing it as a cute place with music that creates a great vibe. This small shop has a certain charm, with some even calling the restaurant super quaint. These 6 positive remarks, out of 16 total, contribute to an average ambience score of 5.2, though customer satisfaction is a poor 37.5%.
However, the atmosphere isnt always a hit, with 7 negative comments pointing to some serious cleanliness issues. Concerns ranged from black gunk on the floor to unsanitary practices involving a shared towel and even a bare finger during food preparation. These issues suggest that while some find the place' charming, others are put off by a lack of attention to detail.
Ambience
16
Reviews
37%
Satisfaction
7
negative
3
neutral
6
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean and cozy
- Cute place
- Great music vibe
What people don't like
- Cleanliness issues
- Unsanitary food handling
- Unpleasant atmosphere
Often praised
- atmosphereIt's one of the best tasting teriyaki places I've had in Seattle. The food was excellent, and the atmosphere was also top-notch.
- clean and cozybut clean and cozy
- cute placeReally cute place
- musicMusic played gives a great vibe.
- restaurantthe restaurant is super quaint and run very well
- small shopThe food is yummy, and the owner is always very sweet. It’s a small shop, and I want it to stay around forever.
Frequently criticized
- atmospherethe atmosphere is not the greatest
- bare fingerSecondly, I witnessed the man washing a bowl of uncooked meat with the same towel he was using to clean the counters. Thirdly, while refilling salad dressing, he wiped the rim with his bare finger, then scrubbed the excess off his finger into the squeezable bottle used for customer cups, and subsequently sucked his finger. I wanted to document this but refrained from causing a disturbance.
- black gunklarge amount of the floor behind the counter covered in black gunk
- cleanliness issuessuggest they clean it up
- distancenowhere within a reasonable distance of this place
- placeThis place is small
- towelwashed a bowl of uncooked me with the same towel he was cleaning the counters
If you're looking for a cozy, quaint spot with good music, you might enjoy the atmosphere. However, be aware that significant cleanliness and hygiene concerns are frequently mentioned, which could definitely impact your experience.
Value (8 out of 10)
mentioned by 38% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot truly shines! Many diners consistently praise the incredibly affordable prices and the excellent food price for a satisfying meal. The lunch special often gets a shout-out for being both cheap and delicious.
This strong sentiment is reflected in a solid score of 8 and a customer satisfaction rate of 83.3%, indicating a truly good experience for most. However, out of 12 total comments, a couple of guests did mention some minor hiccups regarding prices and cost. These isolated instances pointed to discrepancies between advertised menu prices and what was actually charged.
While these are few among 10 positive remarks, it's something to keep an eye on.
Value
12
Reviews
83%
Satisfaction
2
negative
0
neutral
10
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable prices
- Great meal value
- Cheap lunch special
What people don't like
- Inconsistent menu prices
Often praised
- pricesthe prices, portions, and quality of the food are like a time capsule
- affordableMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The service was great, and the prices were very affordable. It's one of the best tasting teriyaki places I've had in Seattle.
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was centered around its good and inexpensive offerings. While the place is small and the atmosphere is not the greatest, I felt I received good bang for your buck. It's particularly well-suited for those looking for a hot meal to bring back to the maternity ward, especially given its location in the same building as Group Health.
- food pricethe food is well priced for what it is
- lunch specialLunch special is Hella cheap and good
- mealmeal less than $15
Frequently criticized
- costit all costs $2-5 more per item
- pricesprices in their to go menu and on the wall are not what I was charged
If youre looking for an incredibly affordable and satisfying meal, especially for lunch, this place is definitely worth checking out. While a few customers noted minor price discrepancies, the overwhelming consensus is that youll get great bang for your buck here.
How are the prices at Moli Bento?
You’re looking at roughly 16 per person – reported by 17 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For an Asian Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at the numbers, almost all diners spend right around this amount, so prices are pretty consistent.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 17 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in Seattle.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for an Asian Restaurant in this range. It offers good value without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Moli Bento
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Noise Level
- Quiet
2
Disappointing Meal and Service
My experience at this restaurant was quite disappointing. The food was kinda bland, and the portion sizes were smaller than expected for the price paid. I received very few chicken pieces.
The older gentleman behind the counter seemed to have no clue about the menu, repeatedly asking if I wanted the lunch special. When I inquired, he just pointed to the chicken and gyoza. The gyoza tasted like reheated Costco brand, which was not great.
The chicken was dry, and the rice was also dry. I decided not to try the salad after the previous disappointing meal. I hope this feedback helps, as there's a much better place down the street.
- food2
- portion size3
- chicken pieces2
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Noise Level
- Quiet
1
Unsanitary Conditions Ruin Meal
My experience at this restaurant was largely defined by my hunger, which unfortunately couldn't overcome the atmosphere. I ordered the chicken katsu, and while the chicken itself was good, the rice was surprisingly dry. I didn't even attempt the salad due to what I observed regarding the atmosphere.
The service was just okay; a female worker initially greeted me but then went to the back, and a man later appeared and was cordial. It seemed to be just the two of them working. While seated, I had a clear view of the front counter and parts of the kitchen, which revealed several concerning issues that made me question my decision.
Firstly, there was a large amount of black gunk on the floor behind the counter, looking as if something had been dragged through it. Secondly, I witnessed the man washing a bowl of uncooked meat with the same towel he was using to clean the counters. Thirdly, while refilling salad dressing, he wiped the rim with his bare finger, then scrubbed the excess off his finger into the squeezable bottle used for customer cups, and subsequently sucked his finger.
I wanted to document this but refrained from causing a disturbance. Overall, I will never eat there again and strongly suggest they address their cleanliness issues.
- chicken katsu7
- rice2
- black gunk1
- towel1
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Fantastic Food and Service at Moli Bento!
My experience at Moli Bento was absolutely fantastic! The food is incredible, and the service is impeccable. I particularly enjoyed the C-1 combo, which includes katsu chicken, rice, gyoza, teriyaki, and a small salad.
The prices are also very reasonable. I can't recommend this place enough!
- food10
- service10
- C-1 combo9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
10
A Fave Spot with Yummy Food
This is a fave of mine! The food is yummy, and the owner is always very sweet. It’s a small shop, and I want it to stay around forever.
- food10
- owner10
- small shop9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Cute, Affordable Spot with Great Food!
This is a really cute place with great food. It's also a lot more affordable than anything else around here!
- cute place9
- great food10
- affordable10
What Moli Bento offers
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Free Wi-Fi
Offerings
- Small plates
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Brunch
- Seating
- Lunch
- Dinner
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What service options and accessibility features does Moli Bento offer for its guests?
Moli Bento provides a range of convenient service options, including outdoor seating, dine-in, and takeout. For your comfort, the restaurant ensures wheelchair accessibility with both an accessible entrance and seating, making it welcoming for all patrons.
Can you tell me about the dining times and if Moli Bento is suitable for families or those with pets?
Moli Bento offers flexible dining options, serving brunch, lunch, and dinner. It’s considered good for kids, making it a family-friendly choice. If you’re bringing a furry friend, dogs are allowed in the outdoor seating area.
How does Moli Bento generally rate?
Moli Bento holds a 6.8 overall score, indicating a good experience for many. Its Food (7), Service (7), and Value (8) are well-regarded, though Ambience (5.2) is its weakest area.
Is Moli Bento a good option for budget-conscious diners?
Yes, many customers find Moli Bento offers affordable prices and good portions, with some specifically highlighting the lunch special as particularly inexpensive and tasty.
Are there any common complaints about the food at Moli Bento?
While generally well-received, some customers have noted issues with dry chicken, occasional blandness, or the quality of reheated gyoza.