Uncle Tiger launches Tokyo-inspired street-food menu

Asian-fusion restaurant, Uncle Tiger, which recently opened, at Bristo Place, has launched the second in a series of pop-up menus inspired by the street food culture of Japan.

The restaurant is now rolling out its new ‘Golden Gai Time’ menu, available until the end of June. The menu takes its cue from Japanese izakaya – small, drink-led dishes designed for ordering and reordering. 

Golden Gai is a famous pocket of Tokyo made up of tiny, smoke-filled bars packed side by side, where the focus is simple food, skewers and strong drinks, with a big emphasis on kushiyaki-style grilling. 

This particular theme sits naturally within Uncle Tiger’s overall concept of rotating Asian-inspired dining experiences, where the menu, cocktails, music and visual identity evolve every six weeks to create something fresh, immersive and experiential for guests.

The concepts are designed to immerse diners in the atmosphere, flavours and energy of a specific destination or cultural scene, rather than focusing solely on the food itself.

Uncle Tiger’s new ‘Golden Gai Time’ menu includes okonomiyaki, hash brown, BBQ cabbage, pancake and kewpie; BBQ chicken thigh with soy tare, spring onion and white sesame; agedashi tofu, daikon, scallion and pickled ginger; crispy chicken skin with sweetcorn puree and nori sansho; watermelon tataki, blackened sishito, preserved lemon and scallions; and BBQ braised beef, yuzu kosho, semi-dried tomato and shiitake. 

Head chef, Cameron Laidlaw, said: “The energy with our new ‘Golden Gai Time’ menu takes its cue from the street food of Tokyo, with a big emphasis on kushiyaki-style grilling. Expect hot grills, cold drinks and lots of things on sticks.

“Our rotating line-up of night-time sessions are inspired by some of the most exciting food cultures across Asia. Each one focuses on a single destination, bringing together chef-led dishes, inventive cocktails and a soundtrack to match. 

“The food draws on fine-dining skill, but the inspiration comes from street food, with bold flavours and dishes designed to be fun to eat. The atmosphere is playful and immersive, with the energy of a proper night out.”

Uncle Tiger is open Wednesday to Saturday from 5pm to 10pm.

www.uncletiger.co.uk