Walter Ponce
Charming and attractive oriental restaurant, specialized in fusion of Asian tastes. Koh Restaurant Barcelona is a personal and very special project by its owner Kike del Olmo, photographer and traveler, with the invaluable collaboration of Ima Garmendia, from Adarbakar, one of the most outstanding ceramicists in Barcelona, and chef Gerard Prat. They opened in February 2018 and have become one of the most celebrated venues in the neighborhood.
Its menu is made up of various dishes with** Asian recipes** but with local products. In it, the ramen, the soft-shelled crab, which you will not find anywhere else, the mango salad with salmon, the Cal Rovira ribs, the duck gyozas, the tom kha kai soup, the sweet oriental beef and, of course, its varieties of curry: green vegetarian, green with chicken and yellow with prawns. And, among the desserts, exotic specialties such as mochis or green tea truffles.
Be mindful that the menu is changed constantly, innovating with new dishes and mixing flavours. Last time I had the chance to visit the restaurant, I had as starter some oysters, panipuri, thai mango salad and gyozas as starters. As main course some grilled Thai sea bass.
Apart from enjoying its cuisine and its beautiful interior design, in Koh Restaurant Barcelona you can get lost among beautiful illustrated books and the selection of photos of its owner, photographer and adventurer rather than gastro entrepreneur.
Cosy and charismatic restaurant, in which its owner, Kike del Olmo, offers exquisite oriental bites and his beautiful photographs in a space full of charm.
If you are around the neighbourhood, I recommend you to pass by and try their food. Koh Restaurant Barcelona offers quite a good taste of asian food with a very good selection of ingredients. In terms of price, when I went there last time I spent around 40 euros per person with a bottle of wine.
Koh Restaurant Barcelona Address: C. de Pujades, 133, 08005 Barcelona
IKoh Restaurant Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kohbarcelona/?hl=en
About Poblenou
Koh sits in Poblenou, part of the Sant Martí district in the east of Barcelona. Poblenou was once the industrial heart of the city, packed with textile factories and warehouses, which earned it the nickname “the Catalan Manchester”. Many of those old brick buildings have since been turned into lofts, design studios, offices and restaurants.
The area is now known for:
- The 22@ district, a technology and innovation hub with modern office buildings.
- Rambla del Poblenou, a relaxed, tree-lined pedestrian street with terraces and local shops.
- Beaches such as Bogatell and Mar Bella, a short walk away.
- A growing food scene, from neighbourhood bars to creative international kitchens like Koh.
If you want a quieter side of Barcelona away from the crowds of the Gothic Quarter, Poblenou is a good place to explore.
What is Asian fusion cuisine?
Asian fusion restaurants take recipes and techniques from different Asian countries and combine them, often with local ingredients. In a city like Barcelona, that can mean Thai curries, Japanese gyozas, Indian street food and Southeast Asian salads on the same menu, cooked with Catalan products such as local meat, fish and vegetables.
Some dishes you will often see on menus like this:
- Gyozas: Japanese dumplings, pan-fried on one side and steamed on the other.
- Pani puri: an Indian street snack of crispy hollow shells filled with spiced water and fillings.
- Tom kha kai: a Thai coconut milk soup with chicken, galangal and lemongrass.
- Green and yellow curries: Thai curries based on fresh or dried chilli pastes.
- Soft-shell crab: crab eaten whole after it sheds its shell, usually fried until crispy.
- Mochi: Japanese rice cakes, often served as ice cream bites for dessert.
Tips for visiting
- Book ahead, especially for dinner on weekends. Small, popular neighbourhood restaurants in Barcelona fill up fast.
- Check current opening hours before you go. Many restaurants in the city close one or two days a week, and some close for holidays in August.
- Eat at local times. In Barcelona, lunch usually runs from around 13:30 to 15:30 and dinner from 20:30 or later.
- Share dishes. Menus with starters and small plates are made for sharing, so ordering several dishes for the table is a good way to taste more.
- Ask about the specials, since the menu changes often.
- Mention allergies when you book or order, as Asian dishes can contain peanuts, shellfish, soy and gluten.
How to get there
Koh is on Carrer de Pujades in Poblenou. Some easy ways to reach it:
- Metro: the yellow L4 line has stops in Poblenou, such as Llacuna and Poblenou, within walking distance of the area.
- Bus: several city bus lines cross Poblenou along Avinguda Diagonal and the streets near the beach.
- Bike: Barcelona has a good network of bike lanes, and the flat streets of Poblenou are easy to cycle.
- On foot: from the Ciutadella Park area it is a pleasant walk east into the neighbourhood.
Check the TMB website or app for the latest routes and stops.
What to do nearby
Make an afternoon or evening of it with some of these:
- Walk along Rambla del Poblenou and stop for a drink on a terrace.
- Visit the Poblenou Cemetery, a historic 19th-century cemetery known for its sculptures.
- See the Torre Glòries, the colourful tower that is one of Barcelona’s modern landmarks.
- Browse Els Encants, one of the oldest flea markets in Europe, near Plaça de les Glòries.
- Relax on Bogatell beach, often calmer than the beaches closer to the city centre.
- Explore Can Framis Museum, a contemporary Catalan painting museum set in a former factory.
FAQ
What type of food does Koh Restaurant serve? Koh serves Asian fusion dishes, mixing recipes from countries like Thailand, Japan and India with local products.
Where is Koh Restaurant located? It is at C. de Pujades, 133, in the Poblenou neighbourhood of Barcelona.
Is Koh good for vegetarians? The menu has included vegetarian options like a green vegetable curry, but the menu changes often, so ask the staff.
Do I need a reservation? It is a good idea, especially for weekend dinners. Check their Instagram or call ahead.
Is Poblenou far from the city centre? No. It is a short metro ride or a long walk from the centre and close to the beach.
