Soi Asian Bistro

I’ve been eating lunch at Soi around twice a week for a couple of months now. I’ve tried several of Soi’s hot Thai dishes as well as its sushi combinations. Without exception, the food has been fresh and delicious. And with several lunch combinations available for less than ten bucks, Soi offers very good value too.
Unfortunately, there is more to a restaurant than food and value. The service at SOI is unprofessional, at best, and offensive, at worst. The kitchen can also be very slow — something I could tolerate if I couldn’t see the three guys standing around in the open kitchen and the lone waitress sitting at a dining table, texting on her cell phone.
I sure hope Soi can work out these kinks because I really love the food there. The service and speed, however, are wearing on my patience.

4.5 stars, lunch review only
We had a great lunch. We got the tempura Japanese lunch special. Perfectly made tempura that my wife and I both loved and a good sized portion. The sashimi that came on the side was plentiful and shockingly good for this low of a price (I was scared given the price to be honest). We also got a pad thai lunch special which was also excellent.
Love the quaint small cozy space as well.
Awesome food, a steal of a deal price for lunch. The only reason it got a half star down is that the miso soup (which was free by the way so I am being picky) was not ok at best. But this is a can’t miss lunch spot for sure in downtown Miami.

We are big fans of Mr. Yum so when we heard about this place, it was definitely a must try. If you are not looking for it, you’ll probably miss it as it is a small place in an up and coming neighborhood of Downtown. Although it’s small, they make good use of space and the décor is chic and charming. Food and menu are reminiscent of Mr. Yum — some Thai, some Japanese — all delicious. Tried the pineapple fried rice, coconut soup, ginger chicken and no meal is complete without Thai donuts!
Prices are decent and food is great. Downtown needs more spots like these!

2 for 1 HH = 2 bottles of yummy saki. The tom yum soup was one of the best I’ve had. The pieces of shrimp barely fit in the bowl they were so big, and it really had a wonderful flavor. The spicy tuna variation roll I got was only decent but between the presentation, awesome soup, and great happy hour, I’m a fan.

Great place to have lunch or dine, I love their Calle 8 roll was one my favorite. fear prices not over price for Down Town Miami, FRESH SUSHI
and great place to visit.

What a great hidden gem downtown. You could seriously pass this place every day and never know how amazing the food is inside. The wait staff was fab! His suggestions were spot on.
The curry was mouthwatering with cashews!
Can’t wait to be a repeat customer.

Over the year they have been open, they have been consistently good. The Beef Massaman is out of this world. Their sushi is tasty and fresh and the staff is cool people.
Cheers!

I loved this place. I ordered iced tea which was unsweetened green tea and it was perfect. Then I had the masaman curry from the lunch menu and it came with a miso soup. The miso soup was really flavorful and the curry was delicious. It was very creamy and a little bit spicy. I suppose if you like it really spicy you can always ask. The whole lunch, including the drink and tax was $ 12.00 and I couldn’t even finish my food.
The waiter was very attentive and kind and the décor was really nice. I think I’ll probably be back to this place to try the fried rice and maybe some Thai donuts!

I wanted some fish, badly. Sushi in an unfamiliar setting always worries me a little, so it was with some trepidation that I headed forth to find Soi Asian Bistro. I started up 2^nd Ave from my hotel, walking, passing increasingly dicey looking bodegas and carry-​outs. Then, on the left, a narrow shop front with the name on the door in design-​school lettering.
Hmm.
Paper bag lightshades on the ceiling, trendy décor on the walls, pea-​green velvet seat cushions, techno beats on the stereo. OK…
I got some miso soup and a beer, and since it was happy hour, my Kirin Ichiban was a two-​for-​one special. We’re off to a good start. The miso’s not bad at all, either — can’t tell if the dashi’s from a mix, but the tofu cubes are nicely sized and the wakame’s not in tiny shreds.
Nigiri, unusually, are priced by the individual piece. If you’re used to ordering four fish varieties and getting eight pieces (2 of each), you might want to keep this in mind. But, I don’t think Soi Asian’s strength is nigiri-​sushi, but in their rolls. The nigiri was so-​so, but the rolls were really quite tasty.
The golden dragon roll with tempura shrimp, avocado, eel, tobiko, and sweet sauce was a nice combo, but the Miami Heat roll with spicy tuna on the inside, panko breadcrumbs, more sliced tuna on top and served with extra wasabi and a dollop of sriracha hot sauce was really good.
Cool little spot, really friendly people. Definitely going on my list for quick bites when in Miami.

I haven’t found many Asian (and Thai) places in the Downtown area. There are «some», but the turnover rate is very high. That makes finding one that lasts the long haul. In this exact same location, at least a year ago, was another (I guess) unrelated Thai restaurant. The previous restraint had too many problems to mention and would only muddy this review. This new Bistro had none of those issues. My thought is that the owner realized their mistakes and relaunched with a new name.
Food was good. I ordered a Chicken Pad Thai. I asked for it to be a little spicy, but it was very sweet. Not ideal, but I wasn’t expecting too much. The service was good, but a little slow. The restraint wasn’t too busy at lunch, but considering that parking is nonexistent and if you blink, you’ll miss it, they had a reasonable crowd. The seating area is very limited due to the small space they have, but they did a wonderful job organizing the tables to maximize the space. I took full advantage of the lunch menu, which included a miso soup.
Definitely worth another pass when I’m in the mood for Thai. I may even consider trying their lunch Sushi menu; I’m not much of a Sushi for lunch person.
Bottom Line: Recommended for lunch

I’ve passed this spot a few times and always wondered if it was any good. Then I saw that the New Times Best Of issue claimed that Soi had the best curries. Done! Made my way over for lunch and found street parking nearby the restaurant.
The interior is minimalist, lots of white with green fabric draped on benches and chairs to cover the cushions and two large paintings/​photos on the side wall. The space isn’t huge, but it has a comfortable feeling. The menu has kind of an eclectic mix, with sushis, noodle dishes, fried rice, and even ceviches (which confused me a bit considering they claimed to be an Asian bistro). Although you can order from the regular menu, during lunch they offer a variety of lunch specials, all priced at about $ 10.95.
Went with my standard Massaman! First came the dumplings though which were absolutely amazing. Not too crispy, just a hint of chewy, they may be the best I’ve ever had, and they came with a delectable sweet soy with garlic dipping sauce that I could practically drink it was so tasty! My curry smelled fabulous, and looked just like I had hoped for. A fan of thinly sliced avocado, chunks of potato, a deep orange-​y sauce with flecks of aromatic spices and huge pieces of thin white chicken. Upon first taste I noted it was a bit thinner than I would have liked, but it was a nice combination of sweet with the subtlest hint of spicy kick. Surprisingly full of flavor, and lots of meat and cashews. My only complaint (other than the consistency) was that the potatoes were a bit too firm.
Otherwise, it was a pretty solid curry and the dumplings alone are worth a return visit. Staff was friendly and located right in the heart of downtown. Looking forward to trying what else they have to offer!

hmmm where do I begin? Well. I love the hidden «only the ones who know, know» vibe to the place. The décor is very nice and hip, perfect for the space. The setting is a lil tight but I guess «cozy» is the feel they were going for… Menu prices are from 9.95−10.95 for lunch which its not bad for Downtown Miami.
I have only 30 minutes for lunch since I am a work-​o-​holic. I expected to get served and had my lunch in front of me within a reasonable time. I had orderd the fried rice cause I heard that if you’re in a rush, this is what you order.
Tick tock… time goes by soo slowly… nothing for about 15 – 20 minutes since I arrived. Then about 2 minutes before I had to be at work, I told the server that if she could have it (my order) set to go. She seemed a bit lost when I asked her so she said, «its ready now. if you wanna eat it…» and I politely answered, «I need it to go because I don’t have much time to eat now».
She ran off to la-​la land and put my fried rice in a to-​go container. I walked out and made my way back to the hell I call a «JOB». I opened my oversized paper bag and took out my fried rice. Had a bite and it was very nice and flavorful – very promising… or maybe it was because her hair was mixed in it that gave it that extra «umph» we all look for? O. o
Needless to say, I was disappointed and threw the rest away and I sure as hell won’t be going back.
I give it 3 stars for the soup alone, which was fantastic btw, and honestly, had the hair not been there in my rice, maybe I would have given them one extra star and one more chance.
Argh. Disappointment.

I’ve been here 3 times and I still can’t seem to really enjoy the food. I LOVE pad thai but theirs is always blah. A friend of mine ordered it once too and she didn’t like it either.
It’s a super cute (tinyyy) place this nice service but I probably won’t go back which is sad because it’s right next to my school and would be super convenient… but it’s not worth it to me. pooo

«It’s so beautifully arranged on the plate — you know someone’s fingers
have been all over it.» — Julia Child
My sushi roll, «The Miami Heat», was beautifully arranged on my plate. Yea, that means that someone’s fingers were all over it, but that’s ok cause the roll was SO freakin’ good! Here’s what’s inside of it: tuna, masago, avocado, tempura crunch, scallions, spicy sauce, and tuna on top. A must have item! Trust me on this.
I also had masaman curry with chicken, and it tasted just like I remember
it from Mr. Yum’s…flavorful and immaculate! After eating there was plenty of sauce left in the bowl so I did what any other human would do– I drank it! You think I was going to let that sauce go to waste? Hell no!
This quaint little joint serves great food. Oh, and don’t drive too fast or you’ll miss it!

I’ve been here three times and I haven’t written a review? Someone, stop me and check my temperature?!
Either way, Soi Asian is very much a welcomed addition to downtown Miami. I loved going to Mr. Yum when they opened but I drifted away ever since I couldn’t justify driving all the time into a neighborhood that wasn’t mine — it got complicated when school and work times changed.
And now Soi opened in the downtown neighborhood — and it’s where I’ve been going for my Thai fix (although they also have sushi, of course). You can’t go wrong with the curry here as it is flavorful and tasty and the price is right. They’re also very accommodating for specific orders.
And while the place it small, the size adds to a part of its charm. Making it more intimate and personal.
Thank you for coming into downtown!

This comes via Mr. Yum? I’m surprised, because I ended up being much more impressed with this little lunch spot that I was with Mr. Yum.
I was actually walking down 2^nd Avenue to find another place, but ended up getting seduced by this tiny green rectangular shoebox of a restaurant. If you run a restaurant, and want to get me to come in, paint it some shade of green — that seems to work with me every time. Quick check of the reviews… score, let’s do it.
I ordered from the lunch menu, which had mostly typical Thai and Japanese dishes for $ 9.95, some with a little twist. Didn’t get too adventurous, though — panang curry with beef was my choice. The free miso soup was cool. I noticed some little blackish strips of seaweed floating around in there that I don’t usually see in miso soups, but I found little appreciable difference in taste from every other miso soup I’ve ever had. Maybe if I did a miso horizontal tasting I’d be able to discern some variance.
Have to say, the panang curry was some of the most densely flavorful I’ve had. I noted a whole lot of sweet coconut, which you’d expect, but also a thick undertone of peanut. Slight chile pepper hit, but this wouldn’t even bother spicy-​phobes. Requisite tender beef and basil leaves… but the big story here is the curry. Thoroughly enjoyable, but it is dense, no doubt. It tastes like it contains a bunch of ingredients that are bad for you. You can tell from the way all the flavors just coat and grip your tongue that it’s jammed chock-​full of coconut milk-​y fatty goodness. It’s probably a good thing that I’m a little too far for a casual everyday lunch outing.

In front of the entrance of the building where I live here in Miami I discovered this evening a unique and simple place.
An simple Asian-​style dining room where there are only a few tables.
The cuisine is a mix of different Asian cultures: Japanese (sushi & sashimi), Chinese (noddle), Thailand.
There was a private party and then we took all by take away.
very good sushi and sashimi, Thai (with curry) as good.
I recommend it for both lunch and dinner, and of course the take away.
Very fast service and great prices also

I really hope this place stays open and paves the way for others to set up shop on this block!
The food is great, sushi rolls are generous and very fresh (at least the spicy tuna one was.). The gyona was perfect, not sticky or mushy! — the Pad Thai is very filling, a bit greasy but perfect if you want something heavy and yummy!
The décor is cute. Great neighborhood spot.

This place is a charming little hole in the wall located right by the wolfson campus in from of the downtown lofts. Its one of the only restaurants that actually stay open late in the heart of downtown. The décor is really creative and modern and the prices and service are great.
The food was good. We had the popcorn shrimp, the ginger salad which was great and a very large portion. Then we had two different rolls, the dragon and mamsita. Both were good, not great, which is what I was expecting after reading that its from the same owner as Mr. Yum, heence the 4 stars and not 5. The wine id decent and decently priced as well. Overall a good experience.

Soi Asian Bistro is exactly what Downtown needed. A nice change from the been-here-forever-so-we-don’t-care-anymore Downtown lunch options, Soi offers fresh and delicious sushi and Thai in a super-​chic setting, courtesy of the people behind Mr. Yum.
The space is very small, but you tend to forget that as you’re enjoying your complimentary miso soup, which is actually some of the best miso I’ve had in recent memory.
I’ve been here twice in a week, and intend to go back quite frequently. On my first visit, I opted for the pad thai, and was pretty impressed with it. A very cool touch was that the egg was thin-​sliced to look like crispy noodles — it totally fooled me (until that tell-​tale first bite)!
On my next visit, I opted to check out Soi’s sushi offerings. I went with the sushi/​sashimi combo which came with a spicy tuna salad. Let me just say, the portion was HUGE! The spicy tuna salad was practically a meal in and of itself, but it was accompanied by a plate teeming with sushi — 6 pieces of sashimi, 3 pieces of sushi, and a 4-​piece California roll. Sushi lover that I am, I devoured the whole thing! Everything was fresh and delicious, and in fact, I even witnessed a fresh fish delivery during my lunch.
Soi also does a mean espresso, courtesy of what looks like a Nespresso-​type machine in the back. It comes piping hot and served in the cutest espresso cup I’ve ever seen!
Lunch specials run $ 9.95 for Thai and $ 10.95 for sushi. Some of the sushi combos come with teriyaki or tempura for those non-​sushi lovers out there. The Thai specials feature a variety of rice and noodle dishes, as well as the standard range of curries (panang, massaman, red, green). Of course, they also have a full menu to choose from, and extended hours a majority of weekdays. The one downside though — they don’t take American Express.
If you work or live in Downtown, get to Soi right away! It’s definitely worth a visit (or many).