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Categories: Asian Fusion, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Neighborhood: DowntownMon. 11:00 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Tue-Fri. 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 a.m.
Sat. 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 a.m.
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This is a beautiful, healthy li'l place with what might be the friendliest service in town. I've been many times before, but this weekend I had the Silk Tofu A, miso soup and peppermint tea. My tummy was a bit grumpy, so I let the lovely cashier (the owner, i think?) recommend a tea to help settle it. The peppermint tea did the trick and the food was delicious. Believe me, there wasn't a morsel left when we were finished.
I also tried my friend's Salmon Tapioca Wrap, and it too was delicious. Another friend had the Bi Bim Bap (I take mine with tofu & an egg instead of beef ) and loved it, of course. All in all, a wonderful meal convenient to plenty of nightlife.
Another bonus: they have parking! No circling the block for a spot to park. We were eating within 10 minutes of arriving. Awesome!
Koriente is a great, healthy escape from the greasy bar food, tacos and other artery-choking choices in this area.
I've gotten something different here each time and it is always delicious and enjoyable and fresh. My favorite part though is if you show up on the weekend they'll give you free green tea ice cream after the meal.
On my latest visit, I was eating alone, facing the window. I had just texted my friend to come and pick me up as she was driving downtown. A few minutes later, out of the corner of my eye I saw someone standing in front of me outside the window. Assuming it was my friend I raised up and waved, but soon realized it was not my friend but some fresh-faced girl wearing red leggings, a short skirt and a half-button shirt nearly exposing her boobs. She was waving her tongue at me and pointing at my food.
"Oh, what a silly hipster girl," I thought as she walked away. I scanned the area to see if anyone else noticed the spectacle. Minutes later I saw her walking across the street with the crackhead prostitute who always asks for a dime, instead of "change" or "money," or something worth something like a dollar. What is she going to do with that dime? Buy chewing gum? She only has three teeth.
I'm guessing crackhead prostitute has found a partner in crime or a front for her business. I hope she takes it back to 6th and Congress though. None of these hipster over here have any money.
I was looking for something quick, easy & healthy for dinner before getting in line for a concert at The Parish. Impossible in the downtown Red River/6th Street area, you say? The only options are upscale, expensive, 2-hour-plus places like Parkside or Chez Nous at the one end, or greasy, gross bar food at the other? Not so, not so. There is Koriente.
Koriente seems worlds away from 6th Street. Quiet and charming - it's a oasis in an area that is not known for peaceful dining venues.
The food is mostly Korean-esque, but with more fresh veggies and some pan-Asian creative flair. I got a chicken curry over rice, while spouse got a beef bibimbap. Both were excellent - the curry was just spicy enough, with a rich gravy and big chunks of potato and carrot. The bibimbap was a lighter version than you find at most Korean places - tasty thin sliced beef with a variety of raw veggies sliced thin on top - carrots, cukes, red bell peppers, purple cabbage, and so on.
Koriente also has a wide variety of hot and cold teas to choose from, and it even serves a very nice bubble tea.
There is no table service - you just order at the front counter, sit yourself down at one of the dozen or so little tables or window counter seats, and wait just a few minutes for your food. Staff is very friendly and are very patient with explaining anything on the menu you need clarification on. The place even has a tiny parking lot - unheard of in that neighborhood!
Really loved Koriente - may it stay in business a long, long time. Given the steady stream of customers stopping by on an otherwise dead 6th Street Monday night, I'd say they will.
Koriente is all the things I love about a restaurant.
!) It's adorable. People have written all over the walls and chairs and it looks cute. There are cute little quirky signs and mugs and things all over the place. Everywhere you look, you say, "Heh. Lookit that!" We stood a while, reading The Boy's chair. We said, "Heh. Lookit that!" a lot.
2) They gave us free stuff. There's free salad, free miso soup, free pickles. The guy at the counter also gave us a free hummus roll because we'd never been there before. We love him.
3) The prices are low. Low low low. The two of us ate like people who eat a lot for less than $25.
4) They have an extensive tea menu. Much of which has boba. 'Nuff said.
5) The food is not only fresh, delicious and actually spicy when they say it's going to be spicy, but it's extremely healthy-tasting. We ate a large quantity of food and didn't feel like we needed to degrease ourselves afterwards. I love that.
6) Service is super friendly.
Seriously. Nothing not to like.
Koriente is the antithesis to everything that is 6th street: It is clean, healthy and...on 7th street! I very much enjoyed the casual, peaceful atmosphere of this little restaurant and the owner and staff seemed sweet and genuinely pleased to serve us their delicious fare. I started out with the hummus roll and peanut sauce, which was tasty indeed, and followed it up with the Spicy Chicken Bulgogi. The Chicken was perfectly seasoned and the vegetables were fresh and cooked al dente, as they should be (mushy veggies make me sad). My friend had the beef version and it was intensely flavorful as well. The menu does not indicated it, but you are welcome to dish yourself up some mixed spring greens with balsamic, miso soup and Koriente pickles (hello! Where have these been all my life?!) from a little counter after you order your entree. The miso soup wasn't anything to do back flips over, but the pickled veggie dish is a tongue tingling treat for sure.
My one and only complaint is the lack of table service. Ordering at a counter always makes me feel rushed and it just doesn't flow with the otherwise peaceful vibe of this place. I'll still be back soon though to try the smoked salmon tapioca wraps and the green tea ice cream...even if I do have to stand in line to order 'em!
During a week-long trip to Austin I stopped into Koriente 4 times. Everything about this place is amazing! I introduced my co-worker to "bubble tea" here and she's totally hooked! They even let us taste some different flavors before making our decision.
Without hesitation I absolutely recommend the Noodle Garden, Garden Handroll (with hummus) and Lemon Marinated Salmon. The summer rolls look amazing but I didnt try them because I was so full from everything else. At lunch you can help yourself to a garden salad and miso soup when you purchase your entree.
Before going I read some reviews and checked out their website to see how close it was to my hotel (its only a couple blocks from the Hilton Garden Inn). I got the vibe that the owner was very involved in the daily activities. She actually took my order at least twice and was so sweet! Everyone was very pleasant and I CANNOT WAIT to go back in October!
I even saved a menu and have it at my desk at work:)
My friend came to town and we had originally planned to go 219 West for happy hour. Unfortunately, the wait at 219 West was too long - we were both incredibly hungry after a long day of traveling/work. One of our other friends suggested this small Korean restaurant. I haven't had Asian food since I moved to Austin last month so I was excited to try something new.
Koriente is very small and would be easy to drive right past but was very cute inside. We were so hungry when we got to the restaurant that everything on the menu sounded delicious. The lady at the cashier was extremely friendly - she was helpful in suggesting her favorite dishes for a rainy day.
We settled on eating family style and shared an the hummus roll, Koriente curry A, and japchei. We were told that all the dishes were pretty light so that we would be able to eat it all.
The hummus roll was decent - definitely my favorite of the 3 items we ordered. It came with a spicy sauce and peanut sauce. The peanut sauce was not flavorful and fairly watery. The curry was bland, probably the least exciting curry I've ever had. It only came with potatoes and mushrooms - not much for the "vegetarian curry option." I will say that the brown rice was cooked well - light and fluffy. The japchei also lacked flavor and I needed copious amounts of hot sauce to make it palatable. My friend ordered a mango bubble tea and said it was delicious.
Overall, all the dishes lacked flavor, and left us with a minor food coma (not the light meal we were expecting!). Even though we were all so hungry, the food did not taste good - I was very disappointed with this place.
I usually try to avoid reviewing restaurants until I've eaten there more than once, but I can't resist saying a few nice things right away about Koriente.
I was a bit wary about trying a restaurant whose web site kicks off with the explanation, "my mom started this restaurant b/c she hates to cook." Hmmm. However, my reservations were soon assuaged by the yummy descriptions of the entrees. A vegetarian friend and I decided to give it a try on a Thursday evening.
The parking isn't great (but it's downtown so what do you expect?). After glancing through the menu, a nice guy took our order at the register and we made our way to one of the two tables toward the back of the restaurant. The place is tiny but cozy with decor that will reset your expectations for the description "eclectic."
We filled our glasses with iced tea and our entrees quickly appeared. I had the Koriente Curry and, not being vegetarian myself, the optional beef. The presentation of the beef wasn't the most appetizing, but the taste was amazing. It was one of those dishes where after just a few bites I was counting how many days I could eat it in a row and still not tire of it. Although I ordered it with spice, it wasn't particularly strong, so either they forgot or my expectations for spice are a bit high. Either way, the dish was flavorful and I'm already contemplating a return visit. My only dilemma is, do I order the same (yum!) or try something else?
One of the pages on the restaurant's web site ends with "my mom is awesome." I concur.
I just have to agree with everyone else on how great Koriente is. My husband was getting done really late at work and we were so glad to have a place to go to at 2 am with healthy food! We loved the hummus wrap and the bulgogi. The food is so amazingly fresh-you just feel good after you eat it!
YUM! I have been super lucky lately to have stumbled upon all these amazing eateries as of late! Then again, a shout out to fellow Yelpers who now dictate my dining decisions!
Anyone heading to Beauty Bar, Side Bar, Mohawk, Club Deville - should make it a point to stop off here first...or after if they are open? Well anyone with taste buds should come here...but my point is it was an unexpected place for such a gem.
The inside is really small but cute, great date spot, or would be perfect to stop in solo if you were downtown - you could sit at the "bar" and people watch.
Looks and feels like a tea house/coffee shop and from the looks of the menu, they offer quite a bit of tasty beverages. However, we stopped in for dinner and I was surprised by the selection. The guy behind the counter was funny (and quite helpful) and told us that if it was our first time we could "look at the pictures" if it would help. Um, not so much. (Unless of course you are talking about the pictures on the website which I checked out after the fact. Now those give you an idea of what you are getting into!)
Anyways, the $3 beers were a sweet deal, as was everything else on the menu. Very inexpensive for quality and quantity. My sister and I split the garden roll (think a salad spring roll) and the Spicy Chicken Bulgogi. At $7 it was plenty to feed us both. It was indeed spicy but not not too hot. Nice and simple: just came with rice (that is almost purple, but you have to visit to find out why its special :) and fresh steamed carrots and broccoli. Perfect.
The food came with free green tea ice cream (recommended by the staff in lieu of miso soup) that was drizzled in honey and on a bed of roasted pistachios. I would go back here just to have a coffee and that ice cream!
A few weeks ago, my dear pals invited me to lunch at Koriente, previously known as that-cute-and-seemingly-perfect-for-a-casual-date- place-that-I-always-see-when-I'm-at-the-municipal- court (don't ask).
Turns out, not only do they have some delicious vegan items, but their story is pretty cool, too. According to their web site, it went like this:
'My mom started this restaurant b/c she hates to cook. She loved going out to eat (make someone else do all the work) but found it tough to find healthy, msg free, low cal, balanced meals with prices within daily reach. She felt guilty for feeding us crap and felt sick of being a housewife, so she said, "Why not open a restaurant for people like me?"'
I ordered the summer roll ($3.50!) and got a free side salad and miso soup. You just can't do any better than this. It was fresh, colorful, and delicious. I don't regularly eat miso soup, but then I have a tasty bowl like the one served here, and wonder why that is. It's warm, but not too heavy for summer, and so good for you!
I will definitely be back. And hopefully before my next court appearance.
SO GOOD. I was incredibly happy that I checked this place out last night. I brought a couple of peeps with me to test it out. Based on the reviews that I read, I was really looking forward to it.
The folks who worked at Koriente were very friendly and made good recommendations on what to eat. They actually told one of my friends to order the green tea ice cream instead of the miso soup, haha!
It was quite obvious that a lot of care and attention went into decorating Koriente. Most of the chairs were hand painted or had some sort of quote on them. The paintings and trinkets hanging from the wall were also quite unique.
The food was excellent. Inexpensive and very healthy, which was awesome considering I migrated from Koriente over to Mohawks for Lonestar pounders. I had Tofu Bibimbap, which was excellent and fun to say. My meal also came with some Green Tea ice cream with pistachios and honey drizzled over it.
Best part of it all $2.50 premium beers - St. Arnolds Amber was my weapon o' choice.
Only con is that the place was very small and there did not seem to be enough seating for everyone.
Of all the countless drunken nights spent on East 7th just shy of I 35, I never once noticed this decently sized Korean Restaurant right at Sabine, for many reasons that I don't need to reiterate. So, finally, i and a few friends of mine decided to hit the joint up for some lunch, and needless to say, I can't believe I didn't know about this place before.
I had the Koriente Curry (A), loaded with what I assume to be korean style rice (purple, not white), potatoes, carrots, broccoli, and chicken. And of course the oh-so-tasty yellow curry, which has always had a special place in my heart reserved. My company had the Bimbimbap (sp) bowl and Shrimp Delight (A), all of which looked fresh and tasty as well.
Service was prompt, the food was cheap, and a good portion for a quick lunch. Hit them up, they're ready for your business.
First of all, I'm korean. So I know my korean food. Korean food has that special kind of acquired taste that makes it so memorable. With that said, it would be foolish for me to say that this place serves authentic korean food because they don't. But the charm of Koriente is that they aren't trying to go by the book. They're putting a twist to traditional korean cuisine to cater to their customers. So, if you know korean food go in knowing what you're going to get. If you're new to korean food, this is probably the best way to first experience the awesome-ness of it.
The last time I was at Koriente, I ordered the mixmix bibimbap and my girlfriend ordered the Koriente curry. Both were exceptionally delicious. The avocado instead of the traditional fried egg on the bibimbap was a revelation. I've been raving about using avocado everywhere I go since then. The vegetables were fresh and the meat was marinated just right. On the other hand, the curry was a little bit sweeter than what I'm used to, but it was good nonetheless. I loved how there were hearty chunks of potatoes, carrots, and other veggies in the curry. Very important. My girlfriend really loves korean curry, so when she ate the bowl clean I didn't need any more investigation. The only thing that was lacking was kimchi. The pickled peppers just didn't cut it for me.
I really like this place. I wish there was more parking, since parking in downtown is always a hassle. In spite of not having kimchi and dealing with parking, Koriente deserves 5 stars because the food more than makes up for it. If you're looking for a great introduction to korean food, I would definitely recommend the bibimbap or bulgogi.
Koriente...sounds like 'caliente'... and both denote severe hotness.
Healthy bibimbap with more veggies than rice? I can hear the uproar all the way from Korea now and I say let 'em scream! This was the most unique, healthy, and tasty version of the classic Korean dish that I've ever had. Lean, tender beef coupled with a smorgasbord of uber fresh veggies and a small portion of rice. Who told these guys I didn't want to carb up during lunch so I could actually concentrate at work? Brilliant.
The whole place smacks of character...from the cool location with the awesome landscaping (sans the homeless crew along the side which made me triple check that I locked my car) to the artistically decorated interior.
Koriente represents a lot of what makes Austin great- individuality, super high quality goods, and a friendly environment fostered by a family that cares.
Quick side notes:
-You order at the counter and pay up front.
-Having to find and pay for parking makes this restaurant less than ideal for lunch.
Like many people have commented, the staff is nice and very friendly. We got there around 3 on a Friday, which is the day they have their salmon special. I already heard that they run out pretty fast, but when I asked the lady at the register about it, she said that they are usually out of salmon by 12:30!
As a non-vegetarian, I was deciding between one of the bulgogi plates (either chicken, spicy chicken, or beef) and the teriyaki chicken. The descriptions were all very similar: some kind of meat, rice, broccoli, and carrots. I ended up choosing the Shrimp Delight (A) on a whim, which also followed the same food structure, meat + rice + veggies.
We got our food really fast, within a few minutes of ordering. Now I tend to eat rather large portions of food, so I was not impressed with the amount of food I received (but was probably a normal-sized portion for most people). They used exotic rice grains that were black and purple, and the broccoli-carrot mix was steamed enough to make it soft, but not mushy. The shrimp was not completely peeled as the tail ends were still attached, so I had to resort to using my fingers. This prevented me from inhaling my food and prolonged the eating process.
My meal looked healthy and It tasted fine, but ultimately I left unsatisfied and hit up a frozen yogurt shop immediately afterwards. Would I recommend this place to other people? Sure. Would I go here again? Maybe... when I go on a diet.
My noodle dish was great and best part is they are open late. Not sure when the kitchen closes, though.
Koriente is the kind of restaurant that you want to be busy. You want everyone in Austin to come and sit next to you. Not because you are lonely and not because the seating is extraordinarily comfortable. But! Because you want this charming little Korean diner to succeed. Not just succeed enough to pay the bills or water the plants, but to soar and set a new standard of excellence that consumers demand: a unique, fresh, delicious and local eatery that provides nourishment to the belly, the eyes and the heart.
The Belly:
My favorite is the Koriente Curry B because of the delish rice medallions. My gf is all about the hand roll. We are both in love with the ali sang oolong tea and the fish free miso soup. Everything is (not surprisingly) MSG free, so your belly, well all of you- loves every meal had here. The portions are perfect and served to you promptly. *Totally vegan and vegetarian friendly!!
The Eyes:
Hopefully you'll notice the SPLENDID plants all along the restaurant and across the street. All of that beauty was made possible by the owner of Koriente. She is not only a foodie idealist, but a gardener too! Inside, the restaurant is adorable with fun art and painting everywhere. Total entertainment while you eat.
The Heart:
Everyone here is incredible. Totally family owned and ran, I think. Well at least that's the vibe I pick up every time I eat there. Koriente emits such good energy, which I think is totally necessary in a neighborhood where people are getting murdered a block away and dudes are dealing crack across the street. Whenever I leave Koriente, my whole spirit is uplifted. Either because of the quality of the food or the environment in which it's consumed.
I would not have found this place without Yelp. It was in easy walking distance from our hotel, but being on the edge of the 6th street zone most people probably miss it. Perhaps it's a blessing that the usual tourists don't wander this far.
My buddy congratulated me on this wonderful discovery, even though he enjoys the fancy expensive stuff. This place is a pleasure for both demanding taste and a thrifty conscience. We had a complete meal including appetizer, white tea, and dessert. After tax and a generous tip for great service, the cost for two people came in at under $30.
Besides the excellent food, this place has that unique Austin feel that we out-of-towners are really seeking.
I really wanted to love it here, but it has a few short comings.
Food: 3 stars, tofu cooked perfectly, veggies a little aldente, but there was just no flavor- maybe it was my own fault for not getting it "spicy" but regardless, it was flavorless.
Service: 5 stars, ideal.
Ambiance: 4 stars, appropriate.
Avg: 4 stars
All in all, it gave me the illusion that I was doing something good for my body, before the destruction that was about to happen on Red River.
I heaaaaaaaaaaaaart this place...i always want to go here if i'm headed to a show down town...as a health-foody vegetarian, i love how fresh and tasty the ingredients are...i usually get the silk tofu A..which is a basic stir fry bowl with rice, veggies and big pieces of delicious tofu....the miso soup is very yummy (i like to drizzle it over the rice) and the spring rolls are just like having a fresh delicious salad that fits in your hand..i branched out recently and got the mixmix bimibap which made me feel so much more balanced and healthy after eating too much creme-pie earlier that day...they also have many excellent teas that they brew when you order (hot or iced)
ALSO, the owners and staff are so nice! they always look happy that you are there and say goodbye when you leave...they have decorated in a very cute and kitchsy way...there aren't a ton of seats but i've never had to wait for a table (extra seating outside)
if the owners are reading this, thank you so much for providing a nice, affordable, healthy and delicious place to eat downtown!
I really want to give this place 5 stars, but I just can't.
What is spectacular:
The staff; *uber-friendly*. Enough said.
The atmosphere; exceptionally attractive with their interior design and exterior plants that haven't died in this excessive heatwave as of late.
Private lot downtown parking; it's a big deal! Albeit their lot is tiny, it's available!
The lunchtime free salad; extremely fresh spring mix with a light dressing and spicy celery soaked in jalapeno soy. No crappy/cheap iceberg to be had. (Didn't have their miso soup, so I can't comment on that.)
Their summer roll with avocado; just absolute yum. At bit on the pricey side for one roll ($3.50), but it's worth it. Extremely fresh, well built (the wrapper didn't fall apart on you) and light.
What is not so spectacular:
Small interior; perhaps a dozen or so tables inside. Nice deck in the back for outdoor seating, but not so pleasant when it's 105 outside.
Main dish was a bit bland; Got the Japchei with tofu. $9. A bit pricey, but I knew about it beforehand, so I can't complain too much about that. While the sweet potato noodles were really good and unique, the veggies were just too small and not enough. Honestly, it looked like veggies that should be a garnish instead of in the main dish. They were all fresh, but all matchstick size. I ordered spicy, I got a little side dish/tablespoon of standard Sriracha-style chili sauce. That was their definition of spicy. It didn't quite do the job. The tofu was served on top with a bit of sesame. It was done quite well, no complaints there.
And to go, I ordered a taro bubble tea. Standard flavor, usual price, nothing spectacular. Still good, nonetheless, but average.
All in all, I'll go back again. It's the freshness of all the veggies -- not just mine, but others around me, that really strike me as definitely re-doable. I'd probably be happier if I ordered a couple of summer rolls and the bubble tea for my lunch next time and save a few bucks, though.
This place is so cute! First off, the little lady behind the counter totally reminded me of my Grandma, which gave me a warm fuzzy right off the batt, but I won't let that bias my review. :)
It's a fairly small place, I think there were maybe 7 tables inside, plus a long bar table by the front window (I didn't get a chance to check out the back patio). I really liked the atmosphere, tons of natural light coming through and plants outside the windows. Stopping in for a quick solo lunch, I didn't feel awkward at all by myself like I have at some places, the vibe was very cozy and laid-back. I ordered the Koriente curry (a) with tofu and it was delicious! It really was close to curry my mom would have made, great comfort food. I will definitely become a regular of this place!
Bubble tea addict here and once I've got it on my mind there's no stopping me. Made a quick stop back at Koriente before headed to the airport for some bubble tea. But once I checked out the menu I decided I wanted a mango iced tea instead...with tapioca bubbles in it (of course). Never had bubbles in my iced tea before, but I soon learned that tapioca makes everything yummy. Best darn iced tea I've ever had and I made Kevin N promise to take me here on all future visits to Koriente.
Koriente...go for the food, but stay for the tea!
At about 2pm yesterday I was about to eat my entire arm, but Kevin N came to the rescue and took me… Read more »
My favorite healthy lunch in the downtown area! I can't believe I didn't know about this place till today!!
Cute eclectic interior and super friendly ladies working the front... free miso soup, garden salad, and Asian pickled veggies for lunch (all 3 bottomless) and very reasonable entree prices. $10 for the garden hand roll with salmon, which came unassembled on a huge square platter, piled high with nicely cut carrots, cabbages, cucumbers, bell pepper, avocado, and salmon. It was lots of fun wrapping up my own combinations of goodies on the seaweed squares.
I ate a LOT but it was all so fresh I couldn't help myself. Fortunately, I guesstimate there were only about 200 calories of salmon (a whole cupful!) and maybe another 100 calories' worth of raw veggies and so on. Very affordable financially and calorie-wise. Double plus good for the free parking in the rear (it's on 7th across from the police station, so nice to not have to pay a meter).
Come back, come often.
I love, love, love Koriente! The food, drinks, atmosphere, and especially the staff are superb. I appreciate that there are so many fresh, delicious, healthy choices, especially vegetarian options. My favorite is the ka-re with veggies or tofu. The hummus rolls are slammin.' My boyfriend always enjoys the beef or chicken bulgogi. And I can't help but get an almond milk boba tea every time I go. They use tapioca balls that are soft and tasty -- not at all like other boba teas served around town.
Whenever friends visit from out of town, I make sure to treat them to Koriente. Their experiences are all the same -- extremely satisfied!
Teriyaki chicken dish is fantastic; loaded with flavor. I've ordered it at least 5 times and it's the same everytime. That's consistency. If you go between 6pm and 9pm they throw in free Green Tea Ice Cream or Miso Soup. Really, there's no contest there since their Green Tea Ice Cream is absolutely fantastic.
Location is pretty cool, especially since they have free parking. You have to take Sabine from 6th, though, since it's one way...just to keep in mind.
They have a covered patio outside, some regular tables (with crazy flexible chairs that are really comfy) and a long bar-like table inside. Not a ton of space, but I've never seen it too busy to find a table.
The staff was really friendly and helpful too. They made sure we knew what was going on. You order up front at the counter and sit down and they bring your food...pretty simple. There is a $5 minimum to use a credit card, and they only accept Visa and Mastercard (can't blame them...the 'other guys' are expensive).
Give it a whirl!
So . . . . The rice here is purple. Weird. Still tasty though.
I didn't know quite what to expect on my first trip in here. Standing in line in front of me was an old high school friend and he quickly gave me the run down of what is good. I took his advice and opted for the Beef Bulgogi. It was perfect for the cool and rainy day we were experiencing.
It can be a little confusing on your first trip in here on how the whole thing works. Luckily, my old friend I ran into pointed me in the direction of the Miso soup and salad that come with your lunch. All of that for $8? It is quite the deal.
The seating is awfully crowded and there were not enough seats for the lunch crowd. And yet again, my old high school friend asked me and the hubby to join him at his table since there was limited seating.
So I had great food and an unexpected meal with on old friend. It doesn't get much better than that!
When you first walk into Koriente things are a bit confusing. I wasn't exactly sure where to order, where menus were or even what ordering protocol was. After getting past this, the food was awesome. I had the mixmix bibimap and the green tea ice cream both of which were really fresh and tasty.
I'll definitely be going again.
This is one of my favorite places in Austin, I take friends and family there for good, inexpensive Korean food.
The food is excellent. It comes out super quick, at least at lunch, and the fresh salad is amazing, I love the dressing they offer. The miso soup could use a bit more flavor for me, I like it salty, but it's still fairly good. In other news, I would skip the edamame, because it doesn't taste super fresh to me.
My favorite dish is the beef bulgogi, which comes with steamed broccoli and carrots and some yummy purple rice. It's the perfect size to fill you up without wearing you out. I also love the jap chae, which are potato noodles with veggies and whatever protein you want. Very yummy. I am not usually very enthusiastic about food that is healthy, but this place is great.
Also, dessert. There's only one option, but it's different and delicious. Green tea ice cream with a drizzle of honey and some crushed pistachios. It even sounds delicious.
The owners have taken a fairly unattractive building in an unattractive area of town and made it a pleasing sight. You almost forget that you can see the police headquarters and I-35. There are gardens all around and you can sit and watch butterflies play around in the flowers. The inside decor doesn't seem to have any theme beside things that make them happy, which includes records piled underneath a glass tabletop and funny pictures of politicians, as well as thank you cards from kids.
Proof positive that it's better to pay attention to the places that you pass everyday, blink and you'll miss Koriente: it's a teeny, almost petite approach to the Asian restaurant concept, and come to think of it, when's the last time you saw a massive tea house. The ladies that run the place are beyond sweet without ever coming across saccharine, and my teriyaki chicken was flat amazing...genuinely sublime.
With the weather more often than not tending toward uncomfortably chilly of late, the idea of a hot bowl of Asian rice, veggies and chicken made for a perfectly complementary lunchtime experience. In fact, even more so than most positive local dining experiences, I'm jazzed to experience Koriente soup to nuts all over again. Those are the smiles that stick with you.
Ate here last night after the Yelp Elite event at Stubb's. YUM! We got the spicy chicken and the curry B. Both were really spicy and delicious. My mouth was burning- in a good way. I especially loved the curry- dunno what exactly I was eating but it was like pasta? I dunno but it was delicious and I want to eat it again soon. It was a really cute place too- quiet and charming. I'll come back!
FRIEND: Dude, you've got to try Koriente! It's AMAZING!
ME: Of course I will! (*does the "yay for trying a new place" jig*)
[Fast forward to my Koriente visit.]
Me(thinks): What do I want to eat? Um, I'm really confused. Hm, am I in line? Wait, is there anywhere to sit? I'm SO confused!
I eventually order some kind of terryaki fish and an avocado smoothie from the very kind and friendly man at the counter.
After a few minutes of pacing up and down the small interior space, I was able to snag a wobbly table.
When I finally get my food, I'm really disappointed. The fish was drenched in terryaki sauce, you know, the squirt bottle kind, and the smoothie was watery and tasteless. Neither item was very good. And I hope that I never have to taste anything like them again in my life.
Maybe I'm being harsh by judging so quickly, but I really doubt I will ever eat here again.
The Good:
:: super healthy food
:: reasonably priced. to get the most bang for your buck, dine in to take advantage of the all-you-can-eat miso and salad
:: summer rolls are really healthy and light
:: the japchei. get it with beef. delicious!!!
:: bibimbap
:: bulgogi
:: outdoor seating. love all the chimes they've collected hanging outside! somehow they made hodge podge work
The Bad:
:: parking is crappy
:: closed on sundays. boooooooooooooooo!!!
:: limited menu and no all you can eat miso and salad and pickled veggies during SXSW...boooooooooooooooooooo!!!
The Ugly:
:: none.
Would I go back? Definitely. I love the intimate environment and the cozy mom and pop feel to the place.
This place is IN.
My silk tofu (A) was OK. Way too sweet for a dinner dish and with very little in the way of other flavors. I still love the purple rice, and the older woman I assume is the owner was perfectly sweet and helpful, but the food just doesn't speak to me.
I don't have much experience with Korean food, so maybe it's me, not Koriente. Then again, my dining companion didn't seem thrilled by anything in his bibimbap but the beef and sauce -- the colorful veggies were pretty, but not great eating, and mostly went untouched. Both of us finished about half our bowls of miso soup. It's a fine soup, but not so good that I kept sipping it after my entree arrived.
The most important thing about a restaurant is the food. I can put up with cranky people, sticky… Read more »
"Never never ever fight ugly people, they have nothing to lose".
Despite all the positive Yelp reviews I was skeptical of a healthy Korean-fusion food restaurant. But walking into the place and seeing that quote in the wall written in marker amongst others, I was in love. It unlike any other Korean restaurant that I've been to, it was more like a hip cafe with their various artwork haphazardly arranged.
This is the perfect place to go if you have a group with both vegans/vegetarians and carnivores. They have dozens of vegetarian dishes and can easily add meat to their vegetable dishes. I got the beef bulgogi bowl which was very good and served with a black and brown rice mix (black rice added because it's a Korean old wive's tale that adding black to a dish increases the immune system according to our server) with perfectly steamed/blanched broccoli and carrots. I poured in the chili sauce and red bean sauce and the dish was wonderfully spicy yet sweet. It wasn't the mounds of bulgogi that I'm used to at more traditional Korean restaurants but just enough to make me feel good afterwards.
For an appetizer we had the summer roll which is the traditional ones with vermicelli and veggies that you can get at Vietnamese and Thai restaurants and also the hummus roll which is like the summer roll but without the noodles and instead has hummus and avocado with other veggies. It was unique and really good served with two sauces that you can mix together for a spicy peanuty sauce or use separately.
The server there was superfriendly and just straight up cool. She openly suggested how to eat things and you could tell that she liked working there and the food that they serve. Added pluses: For dine-in dinner you can get free miso soup or green tea ice cream (FANTASTIC with crushed peanuts on the bottom and drizzle of honey). Along with their crazy selections of teas and bubble teas, they have beer for only $2.50. All the time. Not just happy hour, but always. Good beers like Blue Moon and Stella Artois. Can't beat that.
Okay, I really wanted to like this place because Yelp gave it some amazing ratings. The wait staff / owners were really nice, explained all the dishes and answered any questions, and were very accommodating. I really liked the atmosphere in the little restaurant and we even got a big glass table that five of us sat around instead of a big bench. Despite that, I can only say that I respect what the owners are trying to do but don't find the food appealing to me.
With that caveat, here's my review of the food:
I got the Miso, which was quite tasteless. We also had the Hummus Roll and the Garden Handroll as starters. The hummus one was okay (possibly because I love hummus), but there's just something fundamentally weird about the combination of hummus, avocado and peanut sauce. The handroll thing was a deconstructed veggie sushi plate, which was neither fun to make or to eat. Also had the Spicy Chicken Bulgogi; chicken was a little weird but was nicely spiced and flavorful. A friend got the spicy chicken on Japchei, which turned out to be a good combination.
Like I said, I respect what they're trying to do, but I wouldn't go there again.
Location: A moderate "plus." Walkable from downtown. However, I work on the west side of downtown so going all the way to I-35 is too time-consuming for lunch. Unfortunately, their free salad (which is excellent) is only offered at lunchtime.
Great: Free all-you-can-eat salad (with a wide diversity of colorful vegetables) at lunchtime. Free miso soup. Very high-quality ingredients. Very little grease. Sauce is given separately so you can apply to your own taste. The only Korean restaurant in downtown Austin.
Good: Portion quantity is generous. Proprietors are very nice and always try to ensure a good experience.
Bad: The (Korean hot sauce) could be a little better, and should come in a bigger container. I wish the menu had a few more Korean items (eg. , aka sashimi bibimbab).
Terrible: Once when I asked for the Korean hot sauce, the cashier (not the owner, who is super-nice) warned me not to give Koriente 2 stars on Yelp, just because Koriente isn't "traditional Korean." Don't worry - I can appreciate food that isn't identical to Seoul's. However, I can't stand it when restaurant workers explicitly bring up online reviews!
This is seriously the best Asian food I have had in Austin. I am originally from Seattle where there is an abundance of healthy delicious Asian food and this is what I have been looking for here in Austin... Healthy, delicious, lots of vegetarian options and friendly staff. I am giving five stars out of local comparison to what is available.
Their peanut sauce and spring rolls are great!
Great place for healthy and flavorful food. Lunch is great - you get soup and salad with your entree. My favorite is the Koriente Curry! I could go every day, and you almost could. The prices are right for what you get.
Very good service - the owner is sometimes behind the counter - and she's nice and greets like a regular even if you aren't. It gets packed around lunch, so go earlier or later. It's becoming quite the place for downtown employees.
They are about satisfaction. One time, during lunch, my friend didn't get his order and was not too happy. They took it in stride and comped his meal and apologized to him. They did what they could to make it right.
I need to go again soon.
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)
Category: Vegetarian
Neighborhood: Downtown
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Category: American (New)
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Category: Sushi Bars
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