Love Café MAMÉ? Meet Drunken Tiger – their new Asian takeaway

Posted on 16 November, 2023

It has something of a cult following in Melba and now the talented team behind Café MAMÉ have opened a new Asian takeaway where flavour is king – and so is community.

Owned and operated by Jiwoo Kim and his partner Amy, Café MAMÉ was their first independent venture together (it’s worth noting the pair met and fell in love when they were both working as chefs at Courgette restaurant) – and now with the opening of Drunken Tiger, they’ve crossed another dream off their bucket list.

Originally planning to open a restaurant before pivoting to the idea of a café (one that is now known for its incredible food, coffee, and decadent pastries), Jiwoo and Amy always planned to open another business once they had built up their reputation in the local area.

So, when the takeaway shop just across the courtyard from Café MAMÉ became vacant after three different businesses tried – and failed – to get off the ground, the couple decided to bite the bullet and buy the space.

“It used to be Steve’s Melba Takeaway & Pizza, which was really famous in the community. It had been running for 30 years but sadly he passed away,” says Jiwoo.

“Three owners came in and out, but not much changed. The community wanted something new.”

Explaining that the decision to start a new business happened a lot earlier than they originally planned, Jiwoo and Amy considered using the space to sell everything from pizzas to burgers. But it was a conversation with Jiwoo’s brother-in-law Kay Kwon – who has a background as a chef specialising in traditional Asian cooking – that sparked the idea for Drunken Tiger.

“In Canberra, there are a lot of Asian takeaways, but they always look sad to me. There are a lot of cool, new restaurants but on the street, there’s not a lot going on,” says Jiwoo.

“We wanted to do takeaway, but something really nice…something the community loves.”

Both bringing their skill set to the venture, Jiwoo and Kay originally tested recipe ideas during pop-up dinner services at Café MAMÉ that were held in July of this year, using the feedback from the local community to build the Drunken Tiger menu.

Designed to be incredibly flavorsome but easy to take home to enjoy, the plan is to have the food offerings change regularly. At the moment, you can try three small dishes – Char Siu Pork Bao, Tofu and Chive Wonton, and Honey Lemon Chicken Wings – along with six large dishes.

From Seafood Pad Thai to Pork Belly and Kimchi Fried Rice, Soy Garlic Fried Chicken, and Dan Dan Noodles (with either mushroom or beef), Jiwoo says it’s all ‘very simple and approachable.’ And for those with dietary requirements, there are plenty of options available.

“It’s flavourful, tasty, and fast – it’s suitable for a takeaway box, not the plate…I’ve never done anything like it before.”

“But there’s no shortcut for real food.”

Drunken Tiger has only been open for a month, and for Jiwoo and Kay, it’s still a work in progress.

Wanting to do more with it in the future (including adding some dessert options to the menu), eventually, the plan is to add some outdoor seating and jazz up the courtyard with some music and a disco ball so people can enjoy their meal on the spot while bringing some new life to Melba shops.

Wanting to create something different from the ‘usual’ Asian takeaway shops found in suburbia – like Café MAMÉ – Drunken Tiger is ultimately about giving back to the beloved Melba community and bringing them joy through delicious food.

“If you’re hungering for some good Asian food in Canberra, here’s a takeaway shop you can come and try – and don’t be shy about giving feedback!”

And as for their next venture? Well, Jiwoo and Amy still haven’t opened that restaurant…

Feature image via Instagram.