Koi Kawa Japanese Restaurant — Restaurant in San Antonio

Came here 2 years ago. Experience was average. We had tempura then, it was not authentic. The batter of tempura should be thin (translucent), light yet crispy. The tempura coating here was very thick and doughy, like eating indian pakora minus the seasoning.

Anyway, 2 years on, we happened to drive by while we were super hungry so we thought of given this place a second chance.

First of all, services. We had the exact waiting staff as our last visit , also no change were their attitude. The female Japanese waitress was as unfriendly as she was last time, talking to us with irritation and looking at us with such contempt. I tried to put on my best smile, hoping to loosen her up but no success. Then, the male waiter was the complete opposite, polite and friendly as he was in last visit, wearing his smile throughout. So, thumb down to the Japanese waitress and thumb up to the kind male waiter who save the day and we no longer felt unwelcome.

Foodwise. We stayed away from the disappointing tempura we had last and went for some sashimi, edamami and tofu for starter. Sashimi and edamami were ok, nothing special. The tofu was good. We enjoyed it.

For the main, we had grilled Hamachi , which was really good, it was lightly seasoned, just right for us. We truly enjoyed. Then, we had grilled mackerel. Sadly, it was really really bad 😅. We guess the mackerel had been soaked in some sweet sauce for a very long time before it was cooked, it soaked so long that the meat of the mackerel turned very brown and it was so sweet that it was like candy, as such, we could not taste the fish at all. We skipped the desert as the mackerel felt like one.

We didn't have sushi roll but seems like that's where they have good ratings.

We would come back for the tofu, grilled Hamachi and of course for this kind...

Koi Kawa Japanese Restaurant is an exceptional culinary destination for anyone seeking a memorable dining experience. From the moment you step inside, the restaurant's warm and inviting atmosphere will transport you to Japan, with its traditional Japanese decor and friendly staff. But it's the food that truly steals the show at Koi Kawa.

The menu features an impressive array of dishes, from sushi and sashimi to grilled meats and seafood, all of which are beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. Whether you're a sushi aficionado or new to Japanese cuisine, there's something on the menu to suit every palate.

The sushi at Koi Kawa is particularly noteworthy, with a wide selection of both traditional and creative rolls. Each piece is carefully crafted with the freshest fish and ingredients, and the combinations of flavors and textures are truly sublime. The sashimi is equally impressive, with delicate slices of fish that practically melt in your mouth.

But the hot dishes at Koi Kawa are just as impressive. The grilled meats and seafood are cooked to perfection, with a smoky char that adds depth and complexity to the flavors. And the noodle dishes, such as the udon and soba, are hearty and satisfying, perfect for a cold evening.

The service at Koi Kawa is also exceptional, with attentive staff who are happy to offer recommendations and answer any questions you may have about the menu. The overall experience is one of relaxation and indulgence, making Koi Kawa the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion or simply enjoy a memorable meal.

In short, if you're looking for exceptional Japanese cuisine in a welcoming and elegant atmosphere, look no further than Koi Kawa. This restaurant truly sets the standard for Japanese dining in the area and is sure to leave a lasting impression on...

We ate at KoiKawa for lunch on a weekday in mid-February 2024. I love the businesses in this shopping area - the atmosphere is great, and I liked the interior of the KoiKawa. We were greeted and seated immediately. My review is around issues of being gluten-free. KoiKawa advertises that they have gluten free options, and my experience was - yes and no. When our waiter took our order, I asked if the Bento Box Lunch salmon was gluten free. He said it was, IF they left the sauce off the salmon, and that was fine with me, so I ordered that. He brought out my soup, informed me it wasn't gluten free and asked if someone else at the table would like to have it. He brought out my food, informed me the sushi portion - a major portion of the lunch - wasn't gluten free either, and asked if someone else at the table would like to have it. My salad had no dressing as that would not have been gluten free, he said, so - it was basically naked lettuce. I asked - do you have other sushi that is gluten free? thinking he could offer me that sushi instead. He kind of said "um, yes" and walked away. I am very appreciative that the restaurant was careful to protect me from foods that weren't gluten free - however, I couldn't eat much of what I purchased, and I should have been informed of that before I ordered it, so I could choose something else. I had really been looking forward to being out with friends and enjoying lunch, so my lunch at Koi Kawa was pretty disappointing. I understand not all restaurants want to cater to gluten-free patrons, but KoiKawa had advertised that they do, so I feel this review...