The Clever Koi in Phoenix: New Lunch Menu, No Steamed Buns Till Dinner (Wah!)

Since opening in December, The Clever Koi has quickly become a favorite spot for inventive modern Asian cuisine. We’ve rated the happy hour, given our first impressions, and reviewed the whole menu.

And just this week, the restaurant introduced a lunch menu to the mix, with affordable — if limited — dining options.

See also: The Clever Koi in Phoenix: Jared Porter and Joe Absolor Offer Great, Sometimes Overcomplicated Cuisine

Though the new lunch menu, which will be served until 3 p.m., is an affordable lunch option — most entrees fall under $10 and sometimes include a side — initial reports haven’t been favorable.

And with the restaurant’s neighbor, George and Dragon, offering lunch deals for all of $5, Clever Koi probably isn’t going to win the bargain battle on the block. (Granted, what the two restaurants are serving varies considerably.)

Regardless, here’s the menu:

SALAD
$8 (Add Lemongrass Grilled Chicken $3)
Green Tea Soba Salad
Chilled Green Tea Noodles / Snow Peas / Carrots / Mushrooms / Bean Sprouts / Pickled Peppers / Sweet Chili Dressing
Thai Kale
Black Kale / Green Papaya / Citus / Carrots / Crispy Won Ton / Hot & Sour Dressing
Beet Salad
Beets / Mizuna / Shave Cucumber / Pickled Ginger / Tempura Bean Curd / Lemongrass Vinagrette

BANH MI
$10
Choice of side: Togarashi Fries, Chop Chop Salad or Hot & Sour Soup
Pork Katsu
Crispy Pork Culet / House Made Pickles / Spicy Japanese Mustard
Black Bean Pancake
Black Bean & Cabbage Pancake / Scallion / Pickled Peppers / Wasabi Creama
Lemongrass Chicken
Wood Griled Chicken Breast / Diakon Radish Cole Slaw / Sriracha Aioli

NOODLES
Pork Ramen $13
Roasted Pork / House Bacon / Pickled Mustard Greens/ Shiitake / Bean Sprouts / Soft Egg / Ramen Noodle
Vegetable Chow Mein $10.50
Choice of Lemongrass Grilled Chicken / House Pork / Shrimp / Duck

Follow Chow Bella on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.