In case you hadn’t heard, the Tiger Lane dining precinct will bring 12 new hawker-style dining and bar outlets to Canberra Centre (expected by the end of the year). The Tiger Lane test kitchen opened a few weeks ago offering an $85 dinner set menu which I haven’t had the chance to try. But when a lunch menu is announced, I quickly duck in one weekend to try it.
The main item on the lunch menu is the $22 deconstructed bento, along with a select few small and larger dishes and sides. The wagyu beef tartar and pork belly bo ssam sound good, but I choose the bento that day.
There’s a choice of four mains in the bento – a hibachi shiokoji infused grilled chicken, panko pork tonkatsu cutlet, grilled salmon or simmered daikon. I spend a good 5 minutes internally debating which one to choose. I finally decide on the salmon as one of the healthier options. This comes with rice, tempura vegetables, miso soup and salad.
All the dishes are placed on the table one by one, with the salmon the last to arrive. The bowl of rice is actually massive, more than I can usually eat. Similarly with everything else, portions are on the larger side so you do get value in the $22. The salmon is a great choice and cooked to perfection. It’s like butter and melts in my mouth. The salad is simply watercress and there are no other leaves which is disappointing as I’m not a huge fan of watercress. However the citrus dressing is fresh and nice. The tempura vegetables and miso soup are pretty standard.
All in all, I am happy with lunch and wouldn’t mind trying the bo ssam or tonkatsu cutlet next time. I’ve heard mixed reviews about dinner so hopefully that gets sorted and improved before the dining precinct officially opens.
Social media shows Taki as the first of the 12 restaurants/bars is nearly ready to open.
Tiger Lane Test Kitchen
Corner Genge and Bunda St, Canberra
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