Whilst we may not be able to go to Korea or Japan for our Izakaya fix at the moment thanks to those pesky travel restrictions; Tokki in Surry Hills ensures we aren’t missing out by bringing those gems to Sydney.

David Bae fuses the traditional Izakayas concept of his two favourite cities and gives them a distinctly Aussie spin in a relaxed, raw, minimal setting perfect for great food and conversations. Located a short walk from Central station in the recently revived Foveaux St, the sharing style Asian tapas, cracking cocktails and fun, inclusive environment is already a hit for those living and working locally.

Whilst perusing the menu, start with their fusion cocktails which are as fun and fresh as they sound. Try the Mademoiselle which tastes as pretty as it looks with raspberry, lime, SOHO and prosecco topped with plump lychees. The smoky and spunky Cactus Jack is a refreshing kick with mescal, pineapple, lime, ginger and fresh basil.

Kick off with several of the small dishes which emphasise super fresh and light seafood, pork and vegetables fusing the best of Japanese and Korean cuisine. The miso roasted cauliflower, zucchini flowers and raw bar are especially popular. The standout for creativity and flavour is the Yellowfin tuna with bacon crème fraiche, pinenuts and lime ponzu. It sounds like an unlikely combo but trust us, you will consider ordering a second one as soon as you try it – it is that amazing! Pair it with chilled sparkling sake – even if you aren’t familiar with sake, this is a fun and approachable entry point and perfect for warmer months.

Next up, is their Korean Fried Chicken – a generous serve of the perfectly fried good stuff paired with Asian slaw, pickled radish and a slightly sweet gochujang sauce. Enough said. The enormous miso butter and nori BBQ prawns go well with fried rice or salads. If you prefer to hand the reins over to the experts, there are two ‘Feed Me’ menus to choose from for $65 and $85 per person. The staff can also guide you through the multitude of Japanese whiskies and sakes.

For those of you hungry to try the latest Asian fusion concept to take off in Sydney with a focus on fun and funky, Tokki offers an insiders taste of Korean and Japanese cuisine without the hassle of travelling.

Tokki
44A Foveaux St, Surry Hills
Hours: Mon – Weds: 5pm – late, Thurs – Sat: 12 – 3; 5pm – late