The Clever Koi
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Came on Saturday afternoon & the service was great they were very fast with everything. My favorite drink was their long Thailand ice tea, I could not get enough . Their pork belly bao was also delicious . I also got their drunken noodles & crab Rangoons and those were really good as well. I'm looking forward to coming back and trying the rest of the menu ! The atmosphere wasn't too loud just right with a simple good vibe.
Takeout review: Chinese long green beans in bean sauce are delicious. So was the chow mein with tofu. Decided to go with the crispy tofu. It was definitely good inside. However, the outside was a tad burnt. Not sure if this is normal for crispy tofu here at Clever Koi. I have eaten here at the restaurant in the past and loved my experience, including the service!
Found this spot while craving some Asian food, which can be surprisingly hard in this city. We walked in on a weekday about 30 mins before they closed and they happily seated us. There were still about 4 groups still in the restaurant, but was mainly open. I could see this place getting busy during the weekends though, so recommend a res if you're here during peak hours. We started with cold sake and a couple of cocktails. Super cute and yummy drinks, creative and complimented the overall theme. The Asahi beer was huge and came with an ice cold glass, perfect! We got the orange chicken and drunken noodles with added chicken breast. The food was fresh and tasty. I liked that the orange chicken came with rice, and was not overly breaded. The drunken noodles were pretty salty but overall good. These two entrees were enough for two people to take a little bit of leftovers home. Recommend for a nice date night or if looking for some Asian fusion. We'll be back!
5 star dinner restaurant in Central Phoenix. Asian noodle focus with bao buns. Drinks, service, and entrees were all top notch. Able to get a reservation for Thursday night at 6.30. Most of the lower set tables were taken so the rez came in handy. Ample bar seating available however. Greeted right away by server and offered drink menus. Both the drinks were phenomenal. I originally wanted the Asahi but they were out of it so they gave me a Japanese Lager from Los Angeles (?), blanking on the name. The Caipirinia was the other drink which was made authentically as well. No complaints on the bartender. Food was 3 Bao Buns and a Chow Mein entree with grilled chicken added on top. This was the perfect amount of food for 2 people. The Bao Buns were extremely soft and light on the breading. If you get them from Din Tai Fung they tend to be dough heavy. These were NOT like that. Chicken and Eggplant buns were tasty and had a light kick to them. Noodles were probably the weakest items, I prefer the rice/flat noodles, but these were normal chow mein noodles. But I had to split the dish with my dining companion who enjoyed the noodles quite a bit. I'd go with Udon or Flat Noodles next time and ask them to add chili flakes. No room for dessert but it sounded delicious, something with bananas. Mhmmm!
We came here for a work dinner and had a nice dining experience. The hostess was not as friendly as the rest of the employees we encountered but other than that service was good. We sat out on the patio which although against the street, they have created a cool, cozy atmosphere. Good vibes for a relaxing dinner. Our server was great and answered all our questions and checked on us often. They have a menu of their house cocktails and I think most of the group ordered off of it. I had the Thai Berry Soda with was perfectly refreshing. It's gin based with strawberry, basil, and sesame sochu soda. I had the Pork Tonkotsu Ranen which is absolutely delicious. The pork belly, bean sprouts mushrooms, and scallions all together with an amazing broth was so good. It's a good size portion and filling. Everyone in the group enjoyed what they ordered. I would return next time in town.
Had the pleasure of coming here last week! Amazing server Gary, was great!! He definitely knew his stuff! We started off with the mocktail sideline view! They were so good me and my best friend loved them. Then we had an appetizer of the buns. The bun in the moment was the softshell crab. It was 10 out of 10! We also had the eggplant soft bun and that was actually amazing especially as a vegan option! We both got Ramen. I got the chicken Ramen. It was so yummy. This place is happy hour is amazing!! the patio was so pretty, it was a great day to sit on the patio! Highly recommend if you've never tried this place before. The food sounds unique, but it is very good when you try it! Fresh too!
Two of us stopped on a Friday night before heading to Phoenix theater. Service was great, attentive while not being overly bearing. The EXO noodles were really good and had just enough spice without being too hot. Plenty of seafood in it too. Katsu chicken sandwich was also quite tasty and the fries were some of the best fries I've had in a long time with an interesting dipping sauce. All in all a great experience I will definitely stop there next time I'm anywhere close!
Seated immediately, great spot on the patio, Keith was our server Caiparinha Cachaça, lime, Demerara Immediate refreshment, the flavors are subtle but build as you drink Mojito White rum, lime, simple mint Exactly the right amount of mint flavor, despite it not having been muddled, and the rum comes through perfectly, finished the drink in 3 pulls through the straw Moscow Mule Vodka, ginger syrup, lime, bitters I never miss a chance to have a mule, but I should have skipped this one; it was served in the same tall glass as the mojito, first sip was WAY too sweet, even after swirling it up it was still too sweet, and a mule is not supposed to be sweet, do not recommend Lemongrass swizzle Monopolowa vodka, lime, lemongrass syrup, cucumber water, yuzu Right off the bat it's a bit on the sweet side, but nearly as bad as the mule, but the cool refreshing cucumber follows right behind and tells you this was a good choice, finished this almost as fast as the mojito Wife ordered the overnight, which comes with a small scoop of green tea ice cream, which is divine Chorizo wontons Fried wonton, green Sriracha crema, jalapeno, gastrique onion, cilantro, lime The presentation is nice, the actual chorizo is delicious, but the wonton as a whole just tastes like "fried" The pickled onions are amazing Ordered a pork belly bun, a hot chicken bun, and the bun of the moment, which was the BBQ plum meatball The buns were so soft and pillowy, and the right kind of neutral flavor Pork belly Hoisin, pickles, peanuts, cilantro The sauce is pleasant but finishes a bit on the bitter side, the pork belly was excellently cooked Hot chicken Pickles, crispy shallots The bite was lined up just right to get a little bit of pickle with the chicken, the heat from the chicken was great without being overwhelming, the sauce was present without taking over BBQ plum meatball Beef meatball, barbecue plum sauce, soy marinated Fresno, crispy shallot, scallion OMG the sauce is the first thing you taste, and you need more, the meatballs are a good size for the application, perfectly cooked to a tender bite, the ginger and Fresno coming in at the end Char Siu Pork Bahn Mi Noble hoagie roll, Vietnamese giardiniera, black pepper aioli, cilantro, side house pickles The pork was relatively thinly sliced which unfortunately can lead to overcooking, which was slightly true here, the sauce is tasty but a little sweet, the roll was perfect Thai salad Napa cabbage, red bell pepper, celery, carrots, cilantro, crispy wonton, peanuts, bang bang dressing The salad is the sum of its parts, which is fine, but not nearly enough dressing Great patio, mostly great drinks, great buns, previously had wife's leftover ramen which was otherworldly; 4 out of 5, would recommend, would return but I would be more inclined to stick with the buns and ramen
We checked out Clever Koi and loved it. Loved the refreshing berry and rosemary drink. The pork belly bun was tender, and the hot chicken bun had a perfect crispy crunch. The bao buns were so soft. The short rib dumplings were so delicious in the lemongrass broth. I loved everything about this place the service was incredible and the vibe was chill.
What I got : Asahi beer Chow mein (extra veggies/cabbage) Pork ramen Vegan ramen I've been coming here for about six years. I used to come here specifically for the Ramen, but the Ramen has never been the same after a bit before Covid had hit and they decided to change the recipe and everything about it and it's just like mid now, but I've recently discovered how good their noodles are. This is probably some of the best chow mein I've had and that's mostly what's carrying this review. I literally am only putting it at three stars because I am still upset about the Ramen situation and how it used to be really good and I can't factor that out of my review lol but what I usually get here is the hot chicken bao bun and it's pretty freaking good pretty spicy too. I'm like white girl level zero when it comes to spices and I think it's pretty spicy but it's super flavorful. The pickles they put into it are really good. I think they like saturate them in something and like I said before the chow mein noodles are just super good. They're not dry and they're pretty flavorful it's great. I'm just hoping one day the Ramen will be better so I can change the review higher lol
My experience here was average, despite the hype about this being the best ramen in the city. I came with a group of friends and we all ordered different items. I ordered the shaking beef and a steamed bun. The steamed bun was just okay and overpriced for the size. The shaking beef was $23 and came with rice and only a few pieces of beef that were tough and hard to chew. Not sure if it was the cut of beef or it was overcooked. The flavor was decent, but not worth the price. Portions overall were small for how expensive the menu is. One of dining guests ordered spicy Kim chi ramen and sent it back due to very little broth and a grainy texture. The restaurant has a trendy atmosphere, good service, and convenient parking for a downtown location, but the food did not live up to expectations. I would not return.
Allergy warning! There are undeclared walnuts in the vegan potstickers. I have a walnut allergy and this ruined a recent date night at CK. I've enjoyed the vegan offerings at CK for years without issue, but this recent event has made me question whether I'll be returning. On a recent visit, my guy and I ordered the vegan potstickers to start, and also each ordered a cocktail and entree. As we finished sharing the potstickers, my throat and mouth started to itch and tingle, an indicator that I'd been exposed to something I'm allergic to. Our server came by and we asked if there are any nuts in the potstickers, and he quickly said that yes he's pretty sure there are. Then he asked if there was an allergy, to which I replied yes, I'm allergic to walnuts. He went to the kitchen and came back to say their allergen chart indicates tree nuts, but he'd have to ask the chef which one specifically. The server left again and was gone for at least 5 minutes at this time... Since we needed resolve quickly, my boyfriend left our table and went down the street to get me Benadryl. While the bf was gone, the server came back and said he couldn't find any Benadryl in the emergency kit, and asked how I was doing. I was quite uncomfortable, but trying to be patient waiting for Benadryl to arrive. Not sure what else was to be done in that moment. While I was hanging out alone waiting on my bf to return, the manger eventually came over and checked on me. He said he would take the potstickers off the bill. Gee, thanks? In hindsight, paying nearly $100 for the rest of the meal felt like a gut punch when I couldn't really enjoy anything and my guy had to physically leave in the middle of the meal to fix an issue they caused with negligence. Menu screenshot attached is from 5/18, which is about 2 weeks after my incident, so I'm assuming CK has not yet fixed their menus.
I loved this place! The ambiance was nice and dark and fancy. The service was quick and our waiter was really nice giving us tons of recommendations. The food was just so good, so many unique flavors. The pasta and the bun were amazing! The crab Rangoons were not super avacado-y but we finished them still! Definitely recommend this place to anyone in the area looking for some good food fusion !
Met up with friends and family here for dinner. I'd been wanting to try a new Asian fusion spot, and this one had been on my list for a while - it did not disappoint! The atmosphere is super classy and cute, with great date-night vibes. Parking can be a little limited with the English pub next door, but it's definitely worth a stop. We started with a few of their buns. The pork belly was my favorite, but the fried chicken and meatball were both very good! For dinner, we ordered the fried rice, XO noodles, and shaking beef. The beef was a little more well done than I prefer, but everything was packed with flavor. Portions were generous, presentation was beautiful, and overall, the food was delicious. Most dishes averaged around $20, which felt very reasonable for the quality and portion sizes. And a special shoutout to Keith - his service was fantastic throughout the entire meal! Great atmosphere, flavorful food, generous portions, and excellent service. We'll definitely be back! read more
13 days ago
Clever koi is an Asian-American fusion restaurant that pulls no punches, I find that most fusion restaurants lack the identity of either side and underdeliver. Quite the opposite here, I have been a long time customer of this particular location and I've always had an amazing experience with the food as well as excellent service from the staff over the years. The chef and staff clearly care a great deal about the establishment and the love is shown all throughout the space. I usually have the Pork Tonkatsu ramen, Katsu sando, and Krazy Fries and everyday I'm away from Phoenix I CRAVE these so badly. Amazing and ambitious flavor combos that all fit so well together. Couldn't recommend this place harder read more
16 days ago
Almost the worst ramen shop I had in Arizona. Their tonkotsu is not the pork bone broth - It uses 'house broth' which tastes like shio ramen broth. It does not have any thick, rich broth but the broth that taste like packet. Unfortunately, I felt little scammed that their tonkotsu uses a broth without pork bone. But their response was that their ramen is not traditional (why use the name tonkotsu then? It should be named differently????) Other the menu item misleading, the kimchi did not taste like kimchi either. This is basically like Pei wei or PF Chang type place, overly Americanized Asian food spot. The Krazy fries were good, but way too salty. Overall, this spot uses extra sodium in all of their menu. I usually don't drink a lot of water but I had 2 cups of water and still I felt so salty. Waited 20 minutes for a refill, which we failed to get. So we left. Still tipped 15%. read more
Came on Saturday afternoon & the service was great they were very fast with everything. My favorite drink was their long Thailand ice tea, I could not get enough . Their pork belly bao was also delicious . I also got their drunken noodles & crab Rangoons and those were really good as well. I'm looking forward to coming back and trying the rest of the menu ! The atmosphere wasn't too loud just right with a simple good vibe. read more
Takeout review: Chinese long green beans in bean sauce are delicious. So was the chow mein with tofu. Decided to go with the crispy tofu. It was definitely good inside. However, the outside was a tad burnt. Not sure if this is normal for crispy tofu here at Clever Koi. I have eaten here at the restaurant in the past and loved my experience, including the service! read more
Found this spot while craving some Asian food, which can be surprisingly hard in this city. We walked in on a weekday about 30 mins before they closed and they happily seated us. There were still about 4 groups still in the restaurant, but was mainly open. I could see this place getting busy during the weekends though, so recommend a res if you're here during peak hours. We started with cold sake and a couple of cocktails. Super cute and yummy drinks, creative and complimented the overall theme. The Asahi beer was huge and came with an ice cold glass, perfect! We got the orange chicken and drunken noodles with added chicken breast. The food was fresh and tasty. I liked that the orange chicken came with rice, and was not overly breaded. The drunken noodles were pretty salty but overall good. These two entrees were enough for two people to take a little bit of leftovers home. Recommend for a nice date night or if looking for some Asian fusion. We'll be back! read more
5 star dinner restaurant in Central Phoenix. Asian noodle focus with bao buns. Drinks, service, and entrees were all top notch. Able to get a reservation for Thursday night at 6.30. Most of the lower set tables were taken so the rez came in handy. Ample bar seating available however. Greeted right away by server and offered drink menus. Both the drinks were phenomenal. I originally wanted the Asahi but they were out of it so they gave me a Japanese Lager from Los Angeles (?), blanking on the name. The Caipirinia was the other drink which was made authentically as well. No complaints on the bartender. Food was 3 Bao Buns and a Chow Mein entree with grilled chicken added on top. This was the perfect amount of food for 2 people. The Bao Buns were extremely soft and light on the breading. If you get them from Din Tai Fung they tend to be dough heavy. These were NOT like that. Chicken and Eggplant buns were tasty and had a light kick to them. Noodles were probably the weakest items, I prefer the rice/flat noodles, but these were normal chow mein noodles. But I had to split the dish with my dining companion who enjoyed the noodles quite a bit. I'd go with Udon or Flat Noodles next time and ask them to add chili flakes. No room for dessert but it sounded delicious, something with bananas. Mhmmm! read more
We came here for a work dinner and had a nice dining experience. The hostess was not as friendly as the rest of the employees we encountered but other than that service was good. We sat out on the patio which although against the street, they have created a cool, cozy atmosphere. Good vibes for a relaxing dinner. Our server was great and answered all our questions and checked on us often. They have a menu of their house cocktails and I think most of the group ordered off of it. I had the Thai Berry Soda with was perfectly refreshing. It's gin based with strawberry, basil, and sesame sochu soda. I had the Pork Tonkotsu Ranen which is absolutely delicious. The pork belly, bean sprouts mushrooms, and scallions all together with an amazing broth was so good. It's a good size portion and filling. Everyone in the group enjoyed what they ordered. I would return next time in town. read more
5 months ago
Had the pleasure of coming here last week! Amazing server Gary, was great!! He definitely knew his stuff! We started off with the mocktail sideline view! They were so good me and my best friend loved them. Then we had an appetizer of the buns. The bun in the moment was the softshell crab. It was 10 out of 10! We also had the eggplant soft bun and that was actually amazing especially as a vegan option! We both got Ramen. I got the chicken Ramen. It was so yummy. This place is happy hour is amazing!! the patio was so pretty, it was a great day to sit on the patio! Highly recommend if you've never tried this place before. The food sounds unique, but it is very good when you try it! Fresh too! read more
Two of us stopped on a Friday night before heading to Phoenix theater. Service was great, attentive while not being overly bearing. The EXO noodles were really good and had just enough spice without being too hot. Plenty of seafood in it too. Katsu chicken sandwich was also quite tasty and the fries were some of the best fries I've had in a long time with an interesting dipping sauce. All in all a great experience I will definitely stop there next time I'm anywhere close! read more
Seated immediately, great spot on the patio, Keith was our server Caiparinha Cachaça, lime, Demerara Immediate refreshment, the flavors are subtle but build as you drink Mojito White rum, lime, simple mint Exactly the right amount of mint flavor, despite it not having been muddled, and the rum comes through perfectly, finished the drink in 3 pulls through the straw Moscow Mule Vodka, ginger syrup, lime, bitters I never miss a chance to have a mule, but I should have skipped this one; it was served in the same tall glass as the mojito, first sip was WAY too sweet, even after swirling it up it was still too sweet, and a mule is not supposed to be sweet, do not recommend Lemongrass swizzle Monopolowa vodka, lime, lemongrass syrup, cucumber water, yuzu Right off the bat it's a bit on the sweet side, but nearly as bad as the mule, but the cool refreshing cucumber follows right behind and tells you this was a good choice, finished this almost as fast as the mojito Wife ordered the overnight, which comes with a small scoop of green tea ice cream, which is divine Chorizo wontons Fried wonton, green Sriracha crema, jalapeno, gastrique onion, cilantro, lime The presentation is nice, the actual chorizo is delicious, but the wonton as a whole just tastes like "fried" The pickled onions are amazing Ordered a pork belly bun, a hot chicken bun, and the bun of the moment, which was the BBQ plum meatball The buns were so soft and pillowy, and the right kind of neutral flavor Pork belly Hoisin, pickles, peanuts, cilantro The sauce is pleasant but finishes a bit on the bitter side, the pork belly was excellently cooked Hot chicken Pickles, crispy shallots The bite was lined up just right to get a little bit of pickle with the chicken, the heat from the chicken was great without being overwhelming, the sauce was present without taking over BBQ plum meatball Beef meatball, barbecue plum sauce, soy marinated Fresno, crispy shallot, scallion OMG the sauce is the first thing you taste, and you need more, the meatballs are a good size for the application, perfectly cooked to a tender bite, the ginger and Fresno coming in at the end Char Siu Pork Bahn Mi Noble hoagie roll, Vietnamese giardiniera, black pepper aioli, cilantro, side house pickles The pork was relatively thinly sliced which unfortunately can lead to overcooking, which was slightly true here, the sauce is tasty but a little sweet, the roll was perfect Thai salad Napa cabbage, red bell pepper, celery, carrots, cilantro, crispy wonton, peanuts, bang bang dressing The salad is the sum of its parts, which is fine, but not nearly enough dressing Great patio, mostly great drinks, great buns, previously had wife's leftover ramen which was otherworldly; 4 out of 5, would recommend, would return but I would be more inclined to stick with the buns and ramen read more
3 months ago
We checked out Clever Koi and loved it. Loved the refreshing berry and rosemary drink. The pork belly bun was tender, and the hot chicken bun had a perfect crispy crunch. The bao buns were so soft. The short rib dumplings were so delicious in the lemongrass broth. I loved everything about this place the service was incredible and the vibe was chill. read more
3 months ago
What I got : Asahi beer Chow mein (extra veggies/cabbage) Pork ramen Vegan ramen I've been coming here for about six years. I used to come here specifically for the Ramen, but the Ramen has never been the same after a bit before Covid had hit and they decided to change the recipe and everything about it and it's just like mid now, but I've recently discovered how good their noodles are. This is probably some of the best chow mein I've had and that's mostly what's carrying this review. I literally am only putting it at three stars because I am still upset about the Ramen situation and how it used to be really good and I can't factor that out of my review lol but what I usually get here is the hot chicken bao bun and it's pretty freaking good pretty spicy too. I'm like white girl level zero when it comes to spices and I think it's pretty spicy but it's super flavorful. The pickles they put into it are really good. I think they like saturate them in something and like I said before the chow mein noodles are just super good. They're not dry and they're pretty flavorful it's great. I'm just hoping one day the Ramen will be better so I can change the review higher lol read more
My experience here was average, despite the hype about this being the best ramen in the city. I came with a group of friends and we all ordered different items. I ordered the shaking beef and a steamed bun. The steamed bun was just okay and overpriced for the size. The shaking beef was $23 and came with rice and only a few pieces of beef that were tough and hard to chew. Not sure if it was the cut of beef or it was overcooked. The flavor was decent, but not worth the price. Portions overall were small for how expensive the menu is. One of dining guests ordered spicy Kim chi ramen and sent it back due to very little broth and a grainy texture. The restaurant has a trendy atmosphere, good service, and convenient parking for a downtown location, but the food did not live up to expectations. I would not return. read more
24 days ago
Allergy warning! There are undeclared walnuts in the vegan potstickers. I have a walnut allergy and this ruined a recent date night at CK. I've enjoyed the vegan offerings at CK for years without issue, but this recent event has made me question whether I'll be returning. On a recent visit, my guy and I ordered the vegan potstickers to start, and also each ordered a cocktail and entree. As we finished sharing the potstickers, my throat and mouth started to itch and tingle, an indicator that I'd been exposed to something I'm allergic to. Our server came by and we asked if there are any nuts in the potstickers, and he quickly said that yes he's pretty sure there are. Then he asked if there was an allergy, to which I replied yes, I'm allergic to walnuts. He went to the kitchen and came back to say their allergen chart indicates tree nuts, but he'd have to ask the chef which one specifically. The server left again and was gone for at least 5 minutes at this time... Since we needed resolve quickly, my boyfriend left our table and went down the street to get me Benadryl. While the bf was gone, the server came back and said he couldn't find any Benadryl in the emergency kit, and asked how I was doing. I was quite uncomfortable, but trying to be patient waiting for Benadryl to arrive. Not sure what else was to be done in that moment. While I was hanging out alone waiting on my bf to return, the manger eventually came over and checked on me. He said he would take the potstickers off the bill. Gee, thanks? In hindsight, paying nearly $100 for the rest of the meal felt like a gut punch when I couldn't really enjoy anything and my guy had to physically leave in the middle of the meal to fix an issue they caused with negligence. Menu screenshot attached is from 5/18, which is about 2 weeks after my incident, so I'm assuming CK has not yet fixed their menus. read more
I loved this place! The ambiance was nice and dark and fancy. The service was quick and our waiter was really nice giving us tons of recommendations. The food was just so good, so many unique flavors. The pasta and the bun were amazing! The crab Rangoons were not super avacado-y but we finished them still! Definitely recommend this place to anyone in the area looking for some good food fusion ! read more
I have been craving Asian food ever since I moved to Phoenix and haven't found a good spot yet, until now. Clever Koi was so delicious and had some nice vibes going on! My friend and I decided to check Clever Koi out on a Sunday evening (after our first choice was closed) and we didn't consider that we should make reservations. Luckily since it was a Sunday they were able to seat us but it was a pretty small table outside on their adorable patio. There were other more comfortable spots available but they told us there were reservations for those spots. The outside chairs were slightly uncomfortable I noticed one guy came in who was very large and ended up moving because the chair was too small. We really wanted their buns -- Sunday Bunday!! But unfortunately they have dairy in them and my friend has a dairy allergy. I will definitely come back to try the buns though (you normally get 3 for $18 but on Sunday Bunday you get 4 for $18). We wanted to go family style so we ordered the vegan potstickers, the dan dan noodles and a side of orange chicken (batter is dairy free). The dan dan noodles were so amazing, flavorful and creamy. The orange chicken was also delicious -- I normally don't eat chicken but I had to try it!! It didn't disappoint. The only disappointing item were the potstickers -- they just really didn't taste like anything. Overall though I thought the meal was very flavorful and the music in the restaurant was setting a great vibe. I will definitely be back to try more dishes. read more
I wanted to get Asian fusion for brunch and this place came up. My first impression is how cute the restaurant is. Sadly it looks pretty empty. There are plenty of parking on the side and in the back as well. We sat outside with the nice weather. The server was nice and attentive. He refilled water too, though not consistently. Krazy fries 4/5. I think the fries were basic with sauce and short ribs on top. They were filling though. Berry berry drink 5/5 was tasty, sour, alcoholic but also not strongly bitter like other alcohols I had. Kimchi carbonara 5/5. The udon was al dente. The kimchi doesn't overpower the sauce. In fact I would hate to taste pickled and sour udon and did not taste it here. Meat toppings were plenty. Pork ramen 5/5 came with two big pieces of cha siu. The broth was herby, sweet, and fresh. Short rib dumplings 4/5. The dumplings were delicious and juicy. But the onions made the broth too sour for me. Overall definitely recommend this place for the cute and great food. It should be more trendy and hyped. read more
Food--amazing! Service--great! Drinks--awesome. The only reason there's no 5 stars is because sometimes service is slow and prices do seem a tad high. That said prices aren't unreasonable especially on happy hour for food and drink. Great ambience. Will return again. read more
Service from Gary and Q behind the bar as great and they had some really good recommendations. Cocktails were all delicious. Food was tasty. If you're looking for traditional Thai food, this isn't the place for it. It's more of a fusion with a heavier concentration on Thai flavors. I loved what they did with the space, the vibe, and the dishes and cocktails. Solid spot! read more
One of my favorite hangouts in Phoenix, Clever Koi consistently delivers excellent Asian-inspired food paired with genuinely great service. The menu is flexible and accommodating across dietary preferences, and their ramen is especially well-known for good reason. Cocktails are thoughtfully crafted and standout, with solid alcohol-free options as well. Right next door is their sister restaurant, Across the Pond, which focuses on high-end sushi. It offers a smaller, quieter, and more refined experience--and is, unsurprisingly, even pricier than Clever Koi. Both are worth a visit, depending on the mood you're in. read more
One of the things I love about Clever Koi is their vegan options, and how delicious they are. Their vegan ramen is one of my go tos while in downtown Phx. The price is right on given the portion and the amount of flavor in the bowl. The atmosphere is trendy and nice. The service is always great. My last time I went I also tried the pesto Dan Dan noodle dish, and that was so unique and delicious! read more
This is my second time coming here and it was once again just a wonderful experience. This time around, I hosted my birthday dinner here, and the staff made the day even more special. I had set a reservation a week in advance, and had no problems once the date had arrived. We were all sat immediately upon arrival, and soon we were all eating delicious food. For my dinner, I chose to go with the chow main with lemongrass chicken. This dish was fantastic! There was so much flavor, and the noodles were perfectly cooked. To make the night even better, the restaurant offered a birthday dessert, which we chose Fried Banana Donut Holes with caramel sauce. THIS DISH WAS AMAZING!! Incredibly rich, but not in a way that was overwhelming. In fact I couldn't get enough, but of course had to share with my other 7 friends. Haha! If you get a chance, highly recommend both items, but specifically ending your meal on a sweet note. You won't regret it. read more
I don't remember how I first heard about Clever Koi but I know it's been a place I've been interested in checking out for a while now. So when someone suggested it after I mentioned we were going to be in the area and were looking for a place to grab an early dinner, it was an easy decision. The Phoenix location is right on Central just north of Indian School with parking around back. Then you walk down the cozy little walkway that separates Clever Koi from its sister restaurant, Across the Pond (adding that to my list of places to try). The menu isn't large, but the options all look delicious and interesting. And there are Happy Hour options. We decided to try the Avocado Crab Rangoons. Interesting, not bad, but not my favorite. Worth a try for sure! I then chose the XO Noodles and hubby decided to order steamed buns. Being that it was Happy Hour, he was able to choose a 4th bun for the price of the usual three. Good deal! The XO Noodles were tasty but I felt they were missing a little something, though I just couldn't put my finger on what. Maybe a little acid or a kick of sweetness. The portion size was good and had leftovers for lunch the next day. Hubby really enjoyed his steamed buns. He went with 2 of the pork belly, a hot chicken and the bun of the day. (I wish I'd taken a photo of the wall that listed the bun of the day since I can't remember what it was exactly.) He enjoyed them all, but I think the Pork Belly was his favorite. I did get a bite and it was quite tasty. Service was good. We had a few different people come by our table but once we finished eating, it seemed nobody wanted to come by again until my husband waved them over. We'd definitely go back next time we're down that way. read more
Came with some new friends after church, this place not only is consistently bringing high flavor they have daily happy hour till 6 and this dad of 3 needs a little help from time to time. We all placed orders and the food began to come out as we chatted and all got pumped as the smells are intoxicating! I was only able to snap a few photos as my kids were starving but we all really enjoyed our food. I got the HH special of ordering 3 Bao buns get the 4th free my wife got the XO noodles and my daughters food stole the show though with the kimchi carbonara! I only got a little bit at the end but WHOA! Every single flavor came together so perfectly, it was an absolutely perfect dish. So glad this place continues to blow everyone we come with including us away by the amazing service great options and amazing flavor experiences! read more
6 months ago
6 months ago
Passed the vibe check. The energy in the dining room was vibrant and the service was good. The food was flavorful and creative. read more
Came to Phoenix to visit my dad and wanted to treat him for his bday so we came here to check out the food options. Service from Miguel was great from the start. The ambiance gives this Japanese street scene vibe. The drinks were good and the food was even better. It was a fusion spot so I was not sure what to order so I had Miguel basically tell us the guest favorites and they did not disappoint. We started w/ short rib dumplings and pork belly bao buns with a special soft shell bao bun. The dumplings were great and the pork belly buns were amazing. The soft shell crab didn't meet my standards. For the main courses we ordered drunken noodles, shaken beef, and this cold noodle dish. The drunken noodles were not really what I was expecting especially being half Thai but it was still a good dish. The shaken beef was really good. The cold noodle dish was the fave of the night. Place is good for groups and had some good music playing. read more
okay.. the decor is hella cute. The foods had some hitters and passes too. Their drinks were phenomenal. We were on our way home from a weekend in phoenix; Looking for something good and comforting for the drive home. We landed on this location due to the raving reviews. We were seated immediately upon entering and the only customers for a minute. Service was attentive and helpful. He assisted us in ordering quite a few items to get a feel of their menu. Overall it was a great experience. read more
3 months ago
The food here was very nice, I enjoyed the ambiance as well. Unfortunately service could've been better but it was a very busy night and we sat at the bar but the service wasn't horrible. I would definitely come back again! read more
8 months ago
I took my wife here for her birthday snd she was so happy! We sat on the patio right at open and the weather was so nice. Our server, Quentin, was super friendly and took note that it was her birthday from the OpenTable notes. We decided to get a bunch of apps and they were all so good, I can't even choose my favorite. I recommend anything with the pork belly. As a Japanese-American, it's soooo good! Reminds me of my grandma's cooking. The drinks are well-balanced and STRONG. Thanks for starting her birthday on the right foot! we'll absolutely back soon! P.S. thanks for the dessert read more
Loved the atmosphere of clever koi with all of the plants and cute decor. Also, we had great service and it was nice to see the whole crew helping out (a few different people pre-bussed our table. However, the food fell a little short for me. The avocado crab Rangoons were tasty but mostly just tasted like cream cheese with not a lot of crab or avocado flavor. Shaking beef was probably my favorite. It had a good flavor, the beef was on the slightly sweeter side. The kimchi carbonara had a decent flavor to it and I liked that the pork belly melted in your mouth but I think it needed more spice or maybe more kimchi to balance the creaminess of the sauce. Last, the fried rice didn't really stand out. It was fine but lacked flavor. I will say, all of the dishes presented beautifully. They all looked incredible. I really wanted to love clever koi's food, but it was just kind of meh to me. However, I know they're known for their ramen so maybe I'll come back for that in the future. read more
1 year ago
I've been here a few times and have really enjoyed it each time! It's a small restaurant so I would recommend reservations. It's trendy Asian fusion and is very inclusive which I appreciate. My girlfriend and I always feel comfortable at The Clever Koi. The food and cocktails also don't disappoint! I had a French 75 (my go to here) and a pina colada to drink. Pina coladas are not usually something I order but this one wasn't too sweet and was really nice! For food - we had the Thai salad, Bahn Mi and Shaking Beef. Everything was amazing! read more
Walked up early in the evening without a reaervation and was greeted and seated on the patio in under 4 minutes. Nice wood tables with LED candles and low light bring a nice feel to the tables. The noise level was a little above quiet conversation but the only loud noise was the railcar honking on the street (once during an hour meal). The drink menu starts out as a comic book and has some tempting options but we were hungry. Ordered the calamari and some delicious black tea and they brought them to the table with 2 chili sauce bottlea a green and red. The yuzu remoulade on the calamari was delicious and actually made better by the green sauce. Then on to XO noodles and Tonkatsu Ramen which were delicious. The Ramen was savory with awesome umami notes. To finish up we asked about the dessert offerings and while we listened to the whole list, the banana fritters were the obvious choice. They did not dissappoint and were covered in cinnamon, sugar, with a buttery caramel sauce fresh based on the time it took and how hot they were. Great food in a nice intimate setting, next time I will bring a date instead of a coworker. read more
The food was incredible, so much flavor, and very filing. My drink was refreshing and beautiful. Loved the indoor and outdoor space, well designed felt cozy and modern. The host and kitchen were great, felt a little rushed by our server and we were there under an hour and it was a Monday other than that I had a great experience! read more
Been to the one in Gilbert which I believe is much nicer. This venue seems the tables are a bit closer. Anyway, my wife and daughter joined me in celebrating my birthday. We started off with the Dancing Mushrooms wish were nicely fried and love the texture and vinaigrette. My wife had the Chicken Katsu sandwich which was to her liking. I had the Drunken noodles with Pork Belly which was a bit spicy but tolerable. The flavor was very tasty with just the right amount of sauce. I forgot what my daughter had but see also enjoyed her dish. read more
1 year ago
What a cute restaurant! We came with a reservation for six on a Friday night. I definitely recommend making one because by 7:30 pm the place was packed. We were greeted promptly and had our drinks ordered soon after. They have an extensive craft cocktail menu but I wanted something on the lighter side and went with a skinny margarita. This place really knows how to make a cocktail! Everyone at our table loved their drinks. To start, we ordered the short rib dumplings and the Krazy Fries. The dumplings had a nice texture and presentation, but in my opinion they were missing flavor. The short rib filling just didn't stand out. The Krazy Fries on the other hand were delicious. They came topped with pork belly and a black pepper aioli that I loved. Definitely my favorite dish of the night. Most of the menu looked on the heavier side so I opted for the Thai salad with chicken and added a side of kimchi. The salad was fresh and had a good flavor overall, but it was spicy. I'm not sure if it was the dressing or the crispy wontons, but the heat was a bit too much for what I wanted. The kimchi was super tasty but also super spicy. It had my nose running and everything. I'm usually someone who handles spice well, so that caught me off guard. Because of that, I have to take off a star. Overall, the service was great and I loved the ambiance. It's a super hip, stylish spot, and I'd definitely come back for more apps and drinks. read more
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More info about The Clever Koi
4236 N Central Ave
Ste 100
Phoenix, AZ 85012
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(602) 222-3474
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https://www.thecleverkoi.com
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Ask the Community - The Clever Koi
Is there gluten free noodle options?
Do you have parking for guests?
Hey Margie! We have a lot behind our restaurant that is well lit with plenty of parking. You can…
Any plans to open back up for lunch Mon-Fri like the good old days? I miss getting that Pork Ramen for lunch.
I haven't eat lunch there. Definitely a good one.
Is the seafood hot pot ever coming back?
Thanks for reaching out Matt! What a great dish, huh!? We are currently working on a Pho that…
Can I buy a bottle of the green sriracha anywhere?? I'm addicted.
Unfortunately they are not sold at stores, but we have them at both of our Clever Koi locations! Order online through our website for fast pick up and/or delivery.…
Looks like the number listed isn't in service. Is there another number I can call?
We called and pick'd up food yesterday.The number we called worked - 602-222-3474 Best of Luck!
Is there still a gluten free noodle option? Gluten free options in general?
You bet! We have gluten free. Rice noodles to sub in for numerous dishes. As well as, vegan noodles if you chose to go that route. Come on by and we can lead you through a gluten free amazing meal!
Any gluten free friendly options? Can't be the sushi (I'm pregnant which eliminates sushi from my options at the moment)
Yes
Is there a kids menu or options for kids?
Great question! We don’t have a printed kids menu, but we do have some great options.…
Do you have keto friendly options?
Thank you for reaching out with the great question. We can make some modifications to certain…
Is lunch takeout pretty quick? I only have half hour to pick it up.
Thanks for the great question! It takes between 15-25 to prepare your meal once it has been ordered.…
Do you have soup dumplings?
Do the Asian dishes here taste authentic? Such as the ramen and pad thai.
Based on my personal experience, I would say it was a play on traditional dishes, but definitely not 100% authentic.
Are Friday's full?
Yes! It thins out fairly quick, but during dinner hours on Friday, I would make a reservation.
Are there any vegetarian ramen options?
Thank you for asking! We have a very flavorful Vegetable Ramen. It includes a house made tomato dashi, crispy sunchokes, wok roasted corn & chyote, scallions and a House made leek butter. Our ramen noodle has egg and wheat as it’s components, but we…
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