Tokki

Overview

With a menu of fresh seasonal produce from local growers and located only a stone's throw from the beach, new North Shore eatery Tokki is made for relaxed, post-work dining this summer.

Tokki (Korean for 'rabbit) is Auckland hospitality stalwart Jason Kim's first solo venture, after opening Gochu in Commercial Bay with business partners David Lee and Oliver Simon back in 2020.

Found on Kitchener Road in the beachside suburb of Milford, the 26-seat spot is perfect for a post-work, post-swim date night. Don't worry about dressing up — Kim's interior designer brother Nick has overseen the fit-out and promises a relaxed, neighbourhood feel suited to the seaside location. You might even spot Kim in the kitchen, thanks to an open kitchen and dining layout.

On the menu, you'll find authentic dishes and techniques, including impressive hand-cut metre-long flat noodles ($26) with Korean-style XO sauce made from pork and mushrooms. Wagyu ribs grilled over charcoal ($40), crispy eggplant ($23) and pork belly skewers ($21) also star. You can also opt for the 'Tokki taste adventure' if you'd rather leave your dining experience in the hands of the kitchen.

Many of the ingredients are made in-house including the soy sauce, soybean paste and white kimchi (made traditionally with just two ingredients — Korean cabbage and salt). And the seasonal greens including cabbage, cucumber, radish and mustard leaves are all sourced from Korean growers up the road in Silverdale.

Wash all those delicious eats down with some bevvies from an impressive drinks list curated by Kim's friend and sommelier Hiro Kawahara. Wine-wise, you'll find local and international drops including a selection of natural wines and champagnes, while beer drinkers can enjoy an ice cold Korean Jeju lager, a Sapporo or something local from Sawmill, Garage Project or McLeods.

And yes, there will be soju to finish things off — just make sure you have picked the sober driver first if you're heading back citywards over the bridge.