Koi Riyadh كوي الرياض — Restaurant in Al Maathar Municipality

KOI serves Nikkei cuisine, an unforgettable dining experience of fusion and flavor. And it’s true they’re really huge in flavors! Every plate that came to our table was beautifully presented and well-thought of. Most of the dishes seemed familiar but there were twists to them that took us by surprise.

The concept of their dishes are for sharing. Their Edamame has the right spice while the Salmon Cornets were fresh and creamy salmon in a crisp cone. The King Crab was a great play of texture and flavors from the nori tempyra base to the seafood topping. The Gem Lettuce was quite a surprise: boat-shaped lettuce filled with huancaina, bonito, crispy garlic and cured egg yolk (we ordered two servings!). We found the Chicken Koji Bao Bun too expensive for what it is. The buns were ordinary. 🍣🍤🍚🍹🥢

The Lamb Skewer from their Robata Grill is savory yet refreshing with its pineapple salsa while the Grilled Shoyu Prawns were huge and juicy. 🦐 The highlight of our meal though is the 48-Hours Slow-Cooked Beef Ribs. 🍖 OMG soooo good! Hands-down the best dish in the table! It was so tender. It went well with the thin kimchi underneath, the crispy crab sticks on top and the sweet potato puree on the side. 😋

The Omakase Sushi was a feast. It has 18 pieces of a mix of chef’s choice from sashimi, maki rolls and sushi. Not bad for SR 210. 🍣 For desserts, the Dirt Coffee and Chocolate has an interesting presentation: like a broken pot and dirt was spilled. 😁 Creative! The Matcha Cheesecake has a sauce poured into it. Both nice sweets!

The drinks were unique and refreshing. We liked the Mandarin Drizzle the most followed by the Passion Delight and Sumiyaka. 🍹🍊🍋 The Elder Grapefruit Spritz had a bitter taste to it.

The prices are quite competitive, some more affordable than other luxe restos in the city. Ambiance was nice and intimate. There’s also a nice mural in the basement. ⛩ The staff were friendly and attentive. Service was impeccable.

Koi should be your next dining...

We had our dinner in this restaurant and I want to review based on criteria:

Ambiance: Upon entering to the restaurant, we were welcomed by a great facet of the resto. It has a small pool with a bridge that you will walk through before entering the entrance. I personally thought that I was not in Riyadh to begin with because it feels Asia. In the entrance, we were welcomed by a staff and checked our temperature. The interiors were astonishing. It has a grilling station in the middle where you can see how food is being cooked. On the other side, it has a Japanese Temple background with glass walls surrounding it for the guests to have a better view and Japanese experience.

Food: We asked for their best sellers, the waiter was able to give us and able to describe it. We took on his suggestions and we were happy about it. The food tastes superb. Can't complain. Not only that, it was serve pleasing to the eye and with surprise. (Check on the photos I attached) The sushi that we ordered was presented with a dry ice in which the waiter pour on water and there is a smoke effect.

Service: First, he gave us a good recommendation on food. Surprisingly, every time the waiter serves, he is explaining the dish's ingredients and how it was cooked. He also serves with passion. He always checks if we need something and how is the food. They also serve us good tasting drinks. I commend Mr. Jelo for the good service and Mr. Ariel for making good drinks.

Price: Compare to other Japanese restaurant and considering the experience we had, I can say that it has right price. It is not too expensive compare to others. It has a good value for food and service.

Overall: I recommend this restaurant for the food and excellent service with a...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at KOI Japanese Restaurant in Riyadh, and it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. The restaurant offers a unique fusion of Japanese and Peruvian (Nikkei) cuisines, providing a diverse and flavorful menu that caters to a variety of palates.

The ambiance at KOI is both modern and inviting, with a spacious outdoor terrace that creates a serene dining environment. The interior design beautifully blends contemporary aesthetics with traditional Japanese elements, making it an ideal setting for both intimate dinners and larger gatherings.

During our visit, we opted for the sushi buffet, which runs daily from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The variety and freshness of the sushi were impressive, with each piece meticulously prepared and presented. The buffet also included delightful salads and soups, offering a well-rounded dining experience.

A standout aspect of our evening was the impeccable service provided by Vikas. From the moment we arrived, he ensured we were comfortable and attended to all our needs with professionalism and warmth. His recommendations were spot-on, enhancing our dining experience significantly.

Notably, the staff at KOI went above and beyond to make our celebration special. Upon learning it was a birthday occasion, they surprised us with a complimentary cake and heartfelt wishes, creating a memorable and personal touch to the evening.

Overall, KOI Japanese Restaurant in Riyadh excels in delivering high-quality cuisine, exceptional service, and a welcoming atmosphere. Whether you’re a sushi enthusiast or looking to explore unique Nikkei dishes, KOI is a destination...