If you’re looking for a place in Calgary that serves healthy food that will satisfy both carnivores and vegetarians, then Cafe Koi is your best bet.
The food at Cafe Koi is very Asian-inspired, though there are Mediterranean and Spanish touches as well. To kick off your Cafe Koi experience right, be sure to check out the pan seared If I Were Ginger Beef with fresh ginger, onions, red pepper and carrots glazed with carmelized honey. Another must-try appetizer is the Yam-abushi yam wedges which are served with garlic coconut curry and miso dip.
Cafe Koi is well known for their karma (read: vegetarian) bowls. What’s more, Cafe Koi encourages vegetarian diners by offering deals on vegetarian meals on Vegelicious Mondays. The Lotus Bowl remains their most popular vegetarian dish, and it’s easy to see why: maple chilli greens topped with seared five spiced tofu sticks. Another popular vegetarian dish is the Buddha Burger, with a handcrafted secret vegan black bean patty served with carmelized onions on flatbread with roasted beets, spinach and peashoots; this tasty meal is even a favourite among non-vegetarians.
For a meal with meat, either the Ninja Food bowl with Thai-roasted salmon and ginger-fried Asian greens or Crouching Tiger bowl with ginger fired prawns, sticky chilli maple greens and mushrooms will satiate your cravings.
Beyond the great food, Cafe Koi is an awesome place to hang out with friends, as the intimate atmosphere will make you feel right at home. Cafe Koi has two open mic nights during the week, the occasional comedy improv night and they showcase the best musical artists and DJs in Calgary on the weekends. The space also serves as an art gallery, with new art on the walls every month. Any night you visit, a trip to Cafe Koi is sure to be a cultural experience. Cafe Koi, 1011 1st Street SW, Calgary, 403-206-1564.