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Koi is a Japanese restaurant near Munich's Odeonsplatz. Anyone familiar with Munich has surely walked past it many times. It's located right on the corner where the medieval Christmas market is held during the winter months, and its exterior is inviting. We were greeted warmly right at the entrance, even before we entered, and then welcomed at the small desk in the entrance area, where we were asked about our order. I told the friendly woman that we hadn't made a reservation but would like to dine as a couple. Immediately afterward, another waiter—a bit pushy in my opinion—grabbed two A3 menus without a word and simply said, "Please follow me!" He then hurried ahead up the curved spiral staircase, along the elegant mezzanine, and showed us to a small table for two, along the railing overlooking the dining area below.
The ambiance at Koi is exceptionally pleasant, and the warm, subtle lighting is immediately captivating. We felt instantly at ease as we walked through the premises – two floors with wooden tables of varying sizes, parquet and carpeted floors, comfortably upholstered seating areas, diverse lighting, and several cozy nooks. Even our small table for two – already set, like all the tables in the restaurant – won us over right away. Although my back was directly against the back of the person behind me, I didn't feel cramped or too close. By the end of the evening, almost all the tables were occupied, and we were certainly a bit lucky to get a table without a reservation.
A friendly waiter attended to us immediately after we sat down, asking if we had eaten at Koi before. When we said no, he explained that Koi operated similarly to Spanish tapas – only with Japanese dishes, but in smaller portions. He also advised us not to order too much, as otherwise all the small plates would be sitting on the table for nothing (and we would have paid for them), and we might be full after just two or three plates. So, we asked for wine recommendations and were given three different wines, all available by the glass. In the end, we opted for an Asia Cuvée (0.2l for €8.90) and a Sauvignon Blanc (0.2l for €9.30). Sure, wine is always expensive, but considering that a full bottle of Asia Cuvée from the same winery costs €11 in stores, you really have to be keen on that particular wine. My companion's Sauvignon Blanc was perfectly fine, but nothing special. Since we also wanted to be influenced by the waiter's recommendations for the main courses, we listened to his suggestions and ordered a miso soup as a starter for €5.80, which was perfectly reasonable considering the portion size, and two small main course dishes: the spicy peanut and spinach salad for €8.50 and the "Mikussu Tempura" – a tempura mix with fried vegetables and fish with dip for €9.80.
The absolute best thing about this restaurant is definitely the speed at which the dishes are served. We had the miso soup just a few minutes after ordering, and after we'd eaten a few spoonfuls of the incredibly fresh and delicious soup, the spinach salad and the tempura mix arrived. Everything was incredibly quick, and we were able to combine the individual dishes very well. Admittedly, the tempura mix wasn't anything special. It was basically just breaded vegetables, like you often get at all-you-can-eat Asian buffets, only presented more attractively. The spinach salad was very tasty, with a few very fresh pieces of blood orange, and yet it was eaten relatively quickly. Overall, we ate quite fast, were finished in less than 20 minutes, the bowls were empty, and we were just about satisfied. Everything tasted good, and there was nothing to complain about, except that we grabbed a small snack at the bakery on the way home because we were still hungry. 🙂 Of course we could have ordered more bowls of Japanese tapas, but nothing on the rather extensive menu really appealed to us anymore.
The menu is divided into different categories (Starters, Salads, Koi Dishes, Tempura, Robata – meat/poultry/fish/vegetables) and informs the guest at the beginning with the following words: „"Koi is a modern take on the Japanese izakaya style – traditional, but not authentic. The dishes are prepared tapas-style in the main kitchen, on the robata grill, and in the sushi bar by Chef Atsu Tajima and his team. At Koi, there is no classic menu sequence. Plates are served as soon as they are ready for you. …"“ That's exactly how our visit went, and as mentioned, we felt well looked after and in good hands. There's absolutely nothing wrong with visiting in principle, however, we were charged €50 including tip for two glasses of relatively simple white wine, a miso soup (which, for example, is often offered free of charge with the exact same taste when ordering from a delivery service), and two modest "main courses." That's not a small amount of money for a relatively short meal and a limited portion. Of course, I understand that on such an evening, and in such a—admittedly—very appealing setting, the atmosphere and good service are also part of the price, but you should be aware: If you eat here, reservations, relatively high prices for relatively little food, and a certain "pretentious" feeling are unavoidable. For example, our waiter's fork slipped from his hand and accidentally touched my glass of already poured water—he replaced both glasses of water and disposed of the open—but still completely untouched—bottle of wine. Sure: I'm convinced of the value of good service – but I don't think it's a must.
A business lunch and an extensive daily menu are also available. It's best to check out the menu online. here to give you an overview.
This is definitely the right place if you're looking for a chic Japanese restaurant in Munich's city center for a meal with friends, family, or relatives – but definitely not if you're looking for something cheap and just want to grab a quick bite. Take your time, dress up (you'll be surrounded by pretzels ;-)…) and let yourselves be pampered. You won't regret it. There wasn't really anything to complain about. Only one waiter was – as mentioned at the beginning – a bit brusque, and the prices are steep. Oh yes… there's also a DJ upstairs in the restaurant, which has floor-to-ceiling windows. My companion didn't quite understand the point, since he didn't actually mix or play much, but of course, dining in a Japanese restaurant with its own DJ right in the old town has a lot of charm… atü! 😉 Enjoy your meal and have a great time. It's sure to be a lovely evening. Oh yes…you can grab a sweet treat (cakes, apple strudel, petit fours, etc.) directly opposite on the other side of the street in the Café Luitpold.
I'll be back: For a quick bite, yes. If I want to sit comfortably and enjoy a good Asian meal in peace and quiet, no.
Place visited: Koi
Address: Wittelsbacherplatz 1, 80333 Munich
Website
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