Soi Asian Bistro

Table To Book
  • 09 Feb - 15 Feb, 2019
  • Attiya Abbass
  • High Life


Location: 47-C, Main Khayaban-e-Seher, Phase 6, DHA, Karachi.
Average cost for 2: Rs 1500 to 1800 approx.

The Pan Asian obsession in Pakistan is unanimously here to stay. And aiming to deliver the authentic flavours of ‘age-old’ Japanese, Thai, Korean and Chinese cuisine is Soi Asian Bistro, which has quickly developed a loyal clientele. Last Friday, a friend and I swung by its petite and quaint premises at the gastronomically popular lane of Seher. Lively green plants flanked its glass exterior, adding to the eatery’s promise of everything fresh. The eatery prides itself on its fresh cuisine, prepared live on woks, and surely every now and then a blaze from a partially hidden kitchen would grab our attention, injecting a distinct liveliness to the eatery’s ambience. Soi’s menu is modest; divided into salads, starters, main courses comprising of wok bowls and specials and desserts. Albeit not very extensive, their menu is certainly tempting. We kick-started our early dinner with White Hot and Sour Soup and Wasabi Prawns, which arrived piping hot within fifteen minutes of the order. I was intrigued with the many aromatic ingredients swirling inside my steaming bowl and surely, it tasted divine. I tweaked the spice quotient of the soup by tipping in some sauces and the result was great. Wasabi Prawns arrived wrapped in cabbage leaves and swathed in mayo; being an expert Wasabi Prawns connoisseur I wished the prawns were spicier with more wasabi and less swathing of mayonnaise. Kimichi Fries arrived next in a long, rectangular platter with a bed of crispy fries topped with a thick layer of spicy shredded beef flavoured with kimchi and cheese. From the wok bowls on our waiter’s suggestion I went for Korean Beef Rice, which arrived in a quintessentially Korean-style with a fried egg topped the Bulgogi flavoured rice. But my favourite was the second noodle bowl called the Oriental Spicy; spicy noodles coiled in an earthy, dark oriental sauce delivering the authentic flavours of pan Asian. Mongolian Beef from the Specials section was a dish thoroughly experimental for me; thin slices of wok fried beef boasted of well melded taste of sourness and almost tangy sweetness. Served with steamed vegetables and rice for sidelines, it made for a dish I’d certainly reorder. Spotting Curry Laksa on the menu, I couldn’t wait to try Soi’s take on it; and was not disappointed. Laksa exemplifies a marriage of Malaysian and Chinese food cultures, the very coconut soupy-curry bowl giving off a delicious aroma of lemongrass and sambal; it tasted delicious. Trying so many different flavours, we gulped down fresh lime to cleanse our palatte. The dinner ended on a sweet note with Nutella Wantons and vanilla icecream, which as its self-exemplary name tells, were wantons with Nutella fillings. Each piece oozed warm chocolaty delight on first bite and paired so well with icecream.

TASTE 4 Stars

Soi is the ultimate stop for all Pan Asian cuisine satiation. It promises taste which stays true to the traditional cuisine. Definitely a good bet for folks who are not up for a little experimentation with Asian flavours.

AMBIENCE 4 Stars

Clean, crisp and minimal interior, with ample lightening and cosy seating arrangement.

SERVICE 4 Stars

The staff is courteous and unobtrusive, offering insightful suggestions over what to order from the menu. The food was also served timely.

PRESENTATION 3.5 Stars

With exceptional taste offerings and good service, this is the only area where the eatery needs to work on by being a bit more inventive with presentation.

VALUE FOR MONEY 4.5 Stars

Many upscale eateries slack where value for money is concerned but Soi emerges victorious. For an upscale eatery, promising authentic Asian cuisine, the prices are kept marginally low with generous servings of main courses.

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