The takeaway style of Drunken Tiger means the team is focused on speed and flavour. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
Who are you?
My name is Jiwoo Kim, and I own Café MAMÉ and Drunken Tiger Takeaway in Melba, Belconnen.
What is your business?
After training as a chef in Sydney and working at a bunch of restaurants in Canberra, I wanted to start something of my own.
So I decided to open the cafe in Melba, with the intention of building up and learning about running the business alongside the community.
When a vacancy opened up next door, we decided to expand our business with a takeaway Asian shop.
What’s a dish you make that best sums up what each of your venues do?
Our iconic meal At Café MAMÉ is the prawn omelette, but at Drunken Tiger it’s the Dandan noodles, which you often don’t see in Canberra anymore.
Is there an ingredient you can’t live without?
Salt. Without salt, everything is dead.
What is your biggest culinary influence?
Every single person who I’ve worked with. Tried learning from everybody’s strongest point of culinary skill. Social media helps, but in hospitality you need to work hard if you want to be the best.
What do you wish people understood about your job?
There’s different standards of service everywhere, it is what it is. We can’t make everybody happy, but we’ll do what we can.
Whats your go-to coffee?
Oat milk flat white with two shots from Barrio Collective Coffee in Braddon. It’s a great place to go, switch off, and enjoy your peace.
Where are you travelling next?
South Korea to see family for Christmas, with my eight month old baby and partner. We’ll start in Seoul but will move around the country throughout the break.
Where are you excited to eat next?
The Bentley Group has opened up this new Asian restaurant in Sydney called King Clarence, which I’d really like to visit after trying their other place in Melbourne.
What are your top three recipe tips?
Use salt. Use your senses, smell it, taste it, and when it’s not right, fix it. And use the guide when making a new meal, but remember that your taste palate is the recipe.
Café MAMÉ and Drunken Tiger Takeaway is located at Shop 2/4-6 Melba Ct, Melba. Café MAMÉ is open from 7 am to 2:30 pm on weekdays, and from 7:30 am to 1:30 pm on weekends. Drunken Tiger Takeaway is open from 5 pm to 8 pm Monday to Saturday.
Follow Café MAMÉ on Facebook and Instagram, but you can find more on the Drunken Tiger Takeaway website.
Loading ...
