Dining and drinking review: TheKoi (formerly TwoKoi)

TheKoi is located at 1552 Commerce Street

Review and photos by Kurt Kwon

I've been on the search for a decent sushi place since moving to Tacoma about a year ago. Unfortunately, there haven't been many that have lived up to my expectations. TwoKoi closed for the road construction right before I had a chance to visit, but they just recently re-opened as TheKoi. Apparently the "two" part of Koi became one, as the remaining owner bought out the other. 

I've had sushi on all three of my visits to TheKoi (they have cooked menu items as well). The sushi is standard with the normal offerings of nigiri and rolls. They have numerous creative sushi roll concoctions. Most of them are California Roll based with different fish toppings. My favorite roll by far isn't a roll, it is called Tuna in a Box. It is a rectangle-shaped rice box with spicy tuna in the middle and a large helping of fresh tuna on top. The tuna melts in your mouth and is very fresh tasting. I highly recommend this roll. The Spicy Tuna Roll was also good and generous. The nigiri wasn't anything special, but it was larger portioned than most sushi places. But all in all, the fish was fresh, which obviously is very important. 

The setting in TheKoi is beautiful. They have a large sushi bar and the décor is modern and upscale. The service each time has been outstanding. I will return to try their cooked menu items along with the massive selection of sake! They do have happy hour from 2 to 5 pm., featuring three rolls for $23. That's a steal, given that most of their rolls range from $12 to $15.