KOI review: our verdict
Chinese, Korean, and Filipino: KOI's menu spans Asia, and it's the hot dishes that win it over most. Seafood soup, bibimbap, thin-dough gyozas, teriyaki chicken under a light breadcrumb topping, and Korean barbecue arrive in generous portions, while a jasmine-scented Chinese tea concludes the meal gently.
The dining room, tucked at the corner of Rue des Colombes in the Maarif, has all the hallmarks of a neighbourhood Asian spot: clean, air-conditioned, Wi-Fi, and a very attentive owner who welcomes guests like family. For a varied dinner with friends or a refreshing lunch at a reasonable price, it's worth a visit, especially since the restaurant opens as early as 10 a.m. For a sushi evening, however, it's better to aim for a Japanese table: rolls and maki are decent, but nothing more.
The dish to order: a soup, or bibimbap for a first visit. The trap: betting on sushi, the weakest link on the menu. The good tip: finish with jasmine tea or bubble tea.
