Coyote Is Out There Waiting, but at Koyoté, You’re Never Hungry

Koyoté
551 W 400 N
Lunch: Mon.–Fri. 11:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Dinner: Mon.–Sat. 5:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.
(385) 262-5559 | koyoteslc.com

With the uptick of tourism to Japan in the last few years, it’s been easy to feel left out when seemingly my entire Instagram feed is filled with pictures of cherry blossoms, niche cafes and the neon lights of Tokyo. Yet Koyoté, one of Salt Lake’s newest Japanese restaurants, brings the flavors of the East right into the Mountain West.

Located in the Marmalade district, Koyoté is situated in a quieter neighborhood, alluding to a casual and welcoming dining experience. The first thing I noticed upon walking in was how hands-off-yet-friendly the whole experience was. After the host sat my party and I down at a table, he explained the digital menu system and left us to it. We were not left helpless, though; throughout the meal, multiple members of the staff came over to check in. This created a feeling of independence, yet familiarity. By the end of the meal, we had talked to almost all the front-of-house staff.

A trip to Koyoté is wasted without heavily sampling the various appetizers offered. Our table decided on Lotus Chips ($3), Whipped Tofu ($10) and Mabo Tofu ($10), but only after a heated debate, as each dish had distinct appeal.The Lotus Chips ended up being better, crispier and more delicious than any potato chip. The delicately sweet and incomparable lotus flavor was complemented by the taste of the frying oil and the salt and vinegar-based seasoning that was sprinkled throughout. The combination was so memorable that my companions ended up ordering a second serving to take home.

The Whipped Tofu and Mabo Tofu could not have been more different in terms of taste, texture and presentation. The Whipped Tofu was creamy and sour, with the soy-based meat alternative and the scallion pancake on top, while the Mabo Tofu’s spice could not be cut—the dish consisted of chunks of tofu mixed with a shiny red broth that let me know it’d be spicy before it even hit my tongue.

Somewhere between the appetizers and the main entrée is when we received our drinks. Seduced by the name alone, the Horchata Sake ($12) was a marvel. Smooth, not too sweet and served with a cinnamon-rimmed glass, the first few cups had the forward bite known to sake. Yet after a refill or two from the flask, the taste mellowed and was indistinguishable from a traditional horchata.

Diners should keep in mind that even though the restaurant highlights their most popular dish on their website, there is a wide array of traditional Japanese cuisine to choose from. I decided on the K.O. (Koyoté Original) Mazemen ($16). It was advertised as a good alternative to normal ramen for those hot summer nights, and to my delight, it delivered! While ramen normally has me sweating halfway through the bowl, I reveled in the brothless dish. The perfectly soft poached egg’s jammy nature made the noodles gooey, and the crispy collards and green onion provided a needed crunch. While I wish the pork wasn’t sliced and diced beforehand, as it made the meat a little too chewy, it combined well with the other ingredients, so it was a fair compromise.

Since we ordered all of our food ahead of time, by the time the Purin ($7.50) came out, we barely had any room. But the Japanese custard with its burnt caramel sauce and fresh whipped cream was ultimately the perfect end to dinner with a cherry on top—literally.

The quality of service and food we received felt like a steal considering the prices, making Koyoté an absolute go-to spot in Salt Lake for all who want quality ingredients prepared with utmost care. I eagerly look forward to my next opportunity to stop by and sample even more of what Koyoté has to offer at my earliest convenience.

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