Hazy Tiger

It’s impossible to miss the giant neon-lit tiger as you wander up Durham Street West. The glowing cat signals a departure from your daily—cross the threshold and you’ll find yourself in Hazy Tiger, a trippy wonderland of Korean eats and sip-worthy libations. 

From the people who brought us Seoul Night, the vibe is club-reminiscent with spacious surrounds, a hint of a dance floor, neon verticals, and walls illustrated with a tiger print that we’re not sure any other spot could pull off. Slide into a booth and feel the weight of the world lift from your shoulders. 

Ordering is via a QR code and is almost too easy, with cocktails arriving in a flash. One of us has a penchant for matcha so we made a beeline for a dainty green goblet topped with a pop of citrus—a Thea Yuzu Matcha—and it was love at first sip. Their elderflower martini, with its minimalist profile, is another showstopper. Bonus points if your manicure matches the glacé cherry drunkenly kicking around in the neck of the glass. 

All the classics—from rosebuds, soju and spicy margs to espresso martinis, makgeolli, and spritzes—are tapped and flowing thanks to a juicy lil’ collaboration with Norma Taps. Just about anything else your lush (and sober curious) heart desires can be summoned at whim, too. 

As for the kai, the menu has three sections—$8, $11, and $16 tapas-style dishes—all of which you’ll want to embrace fully (and not just because they’re easy on the wallet). The $8 realm, which encompasses various grilled meaty skewers through to ample portions of deep fried chicken skin, deep fried corn, and sweet and sour gochujang cucumber salad, matches beautifully with a beer. 

Venture deeper into the menu and you’ll find the likes of Bulgogi tacos, a Korean Chinese salad-type situation called Bang Bang chicken (mix before devouring), and other delicacies. Special shoutout to the oil tteokbokki—three thick rice cakes infused with oil and cooked ‘market style’ rendering them simultaneously crispy and chewy. Cut with a knife then have at. 

No table would be complete without at least one $16 dish. We can’t go past the raw beef slices, which come saucy in lemon oil and Grana Padano, or the bibimbap if you’re vegetarian. Speaking of, K-food doesn’t always easily lend itself to plant-based eating but the meat-free options here are solid.

Now, when it comes to dessert, Hazy Tiger absolutely crushes it. Their misutgaru-pannacotta on a bed of black and white sesame seeds is a heaven-scent fusion of savoury and light sweetness. Their Cindyrella (named after their chef Cindy) is a rice bean ice cream enrobed in a puffed lemon meringue. Take your pick or make like we did and smash them both. 

A spot that’s as perfect for entertaining clients as it is for a date night, we already know we’ll be returning to Hazy Tiger many times over. Welcome to Tāmaki, team. We’re so glad you’re here.

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Image credit: Hazy Tiger | supplied.