Koi is a cosy, Tokyo-style ramen bar that’s all about high-quality ramen at affordable prices. It’s a small London-based chain in Elephant & Castle with other branches in Brixton and Hackney, each with the same no-fuss, authentic setup with a short but well-curated menu and great vegan options.
I discovered Koi whilst looking for a ramen place to eat with my friends after class. We wanted to find a place that’s close to the LCC campus with vegan options. Usually, it’s a struggle to find a Japanese food place with good vegan options, so I was surprised to find one nearby with reasonable pricing. It’s a small but inviting ramen bar with strip tables that feels authentic and cosy — perfect for a quick and satisfying meal, whether solo or with friends. The atmosphere is very casual and welcoming, in a quiet area, and also has extra outdoor seating.
Koi has a simple and short menu featuring just four types of ramen — all reasonably priced and tasty with many options for add-ons. There is also a self-service kiosk or QR code on the tables for quick and easy ordering. I ordered the pure white tonkotsu ramen (£11) that included bamboo shoots, sliced wood ear mushrooms, spring onions, and bean sprouts. The broth was amazing, the noodles cooked to perfection with just the right amount of bite, and my added egg was soft, gooey, and full of flavour. I also ordered three chicken gyozas (£3.75) which were juicy and had a nice crispy bottom. Portion sizes are generous, and you can even order an extra portion of ramen for just £2!
The main reason we chose to eat at Koi was because it had vegan options — all of their ramen had clearly labelled vegan/vegetarian options (vegetarian tofu) as well as their gyozas, which is usually hard to find. My friend was delighted to have so many options for once and ordered the old skool shoyu (£10) with fried tofu, bamboo shoots, sliced wood ear mushrooms, spring onions, and bean sprouts which she thoroughly enjoyed.
The staff were incredibly friendly and made sure everything was just right, adding to the welcoming vibe. If you’re after a no-frills, high-quality bowl of ramen with great vegan choices, Koi is definitely worth a visit.
Fiona Truong
Address: 19 Sayer St, London SE17 1FY