Crafted With Care
Slurp. Sip. Savor.
Haji Moto Ramen & Sake Bar is Georgetown’s first restaurant dedicated to ramen, offering an energetic space shaped by traditional Japanese technique. Located in the historic downtown square, the restaurant blends comfort food with a full bar program, unified by a shared attention to craft and creating an atmosphere that serves as both a lively dining spot and a late-night lounge.
Haji Moto specializes in classic ramen styles built on light yet rich, simmered broths, including tonkotsu, chicken shoyu, and a fully vegan option. Nearly everything is made in-house, from sauces and broths to the noodles. Noodles are prepared with unbleached, unbromated flour, while the gyoza, karaage, and shishitos are fried in beef tallow. The deviled ramen eggs are our approach to a Southern classic through a Japanese lens, creating something that feels both familiar and new. The result is a menu that brings together tradition, technique, and the kind of comfort that naturally fits in Central Texas.
Inspired by Tradition, Shaped With Intention
A modern expression of time‑honored Japanese techniques.
The restaurant was launched by Founder and Chef Jerry Thompson, alongside Chef Yusuke Iwai of Osaka, Japan. Thompson, who also co-owns 600 Degrees Pizzeria, was inspired to open a ramen shop after spending six months in Yokohama, Japan studying traditional techniques. In Yokohama, ramen heritage extends beyond the heavy broths most familiar in the West. Alongside those legendary bowls sits a revered lineage of lighter, highly technical broth crafted through gentle simmering. A technique mastered to yield maximum gelatin and flavor with a clean finish, resulting in bowls we crave daily.
A Story in the Name
Our History. Your New Guilty Pleasure.
The name “Haji Moto” reflects the owners’ multicultural roots and playful personality. “Haji” comes from an Arabic family nickname meaning “old soul,” and in Japanese it can also mean “shame.” Paired with “Moto,” meaning “source,” the team embraces Haji Moto as “the source of shame, in the best way,” a lighthearted nod to guilty pleasures and the kind of ramen people crave.
Meet the Team
Jerry Thompson
Founder and Chef
Ramen is an art, one that requires time, dedication, and a respect for tradition. My journey took me to Yokohama, Japan, where I studied the craft from the ground up, learning the secrets behind rich broths and perfectly textured noodles. Those lessons shaped the way I cook and the way I lead.
I’ve spent more than 20 years in the restaurant world, helping open and develop menus for eight different locations. That experience taught me how to build a kitchen, a team, and a guest experience with intention. At Haji Moto, my goal is simple: honor the traditions that inspired me while creating food that feels honest and comforting.
Dean Reavis
Bar Director
I bring over a decade of experience in craft cocktails and coffee, building programs rooted in precision, creativity, and hospitality. My background includes leadership roles with Easy Tiger, The Tipsy Alchemist, and Cantina 512, along with work supporting emerging spirit brands.
At Haji Moto, I lead a craft-driven bar program inspired by Japanese spirits and technique, featuring house-made ingredients and thoughtfully balanced cocktails. My focus is simple: deliver a refined, consistent experience that guests remember.
Jayla Simms
Creative Director
Design is where I thrive. My marketing career in the Architectural, Engineering, and Construction world has taught me to see the big picture while obsessing over the details. The space, the menu, and even our presence online all work together to shape how a guest experiences Haji Moto. From the way the room feels when you walk in to the typography on the menu, my goal is to build an experience that is thoughtful and modern while feeling unique and authentic. I believe great design isn’t just seen, it’s felt, and every detail here is shaped with that in mind.
Adam Simms
Operations Director
I’ve spent my career making sure things run the way they’re supposed to. From manufacturing floors to real estate management and large‑scale events, I learned how to build systems that keep people supported and the energy flowing.
I’m certified in ramen and bartending, so I can jump in wherever I’m needed. Whether I’m pouring drinks, expediting, or checking in with the team, I’m here to make sure every guest feels the difference.
Partnering With Local Talent
The 442nd Regimental Combat Team Mural
Andew Sakamoto and Victoria Saenz
The Japanese-American 442nd Regimental Combat Team fought in WWII. Their numerous heroic sacrifices on both war fronts included rescuing The Lost Battalion (a team of Texas National Guard) which prompted TX Gov Connally to posthumously designate the 442nd as honorary Texans in 1962. The mural was painted by Japanese-American siblings Andew Sakamoto and Victoria Saenz.
Smaug the Dragon
Andew Sakamoto
Andew Sakamoto is a visual artist from California, producing work out of Bolm Arts in Austin, Texas. The essence of Andewsak’s art lies in finding magic within the mundane. His approach to painting is deliberate and process-oriented, in contrast to the chaotic free-form expression of his illustrations. By utilizing both mediums, he unveils the interplay between the conscious and subconscious when processing everyday life.
Robot Room Painting
WarPaintKate
Kate Barton (also known as, WarPaintKate) is a Texas-based artist with over 20 years of experience, known for creating bold, large-scale pieces that capture the beauty and spirit of West Texas. Inspired by the rugged landscapes and wildlife of the region, her work bursts with vivid colors and dynamic dark desert energy. Exhibiting in smaller shows across Central Texas, Kate brings the vast deserts and wild creatures of the Lone Star State to life on canvas.
