If you’ve been to Aberdeen Centre lately, the “Food News” hasn’t been great. We just lost Garaku Soup Curry and Meiten (the katsu spot) in the same month, leaving some pretty big holes in the mall’s dining lineup.
But there’s finally some good news on the second floor. The massive unit formerly home to Chef Hung is officially being taken over by a new brand called Taoke. They’ve put up some high-end boarding that basically tells a story while you wait for your bubble tea.
The “Boil and Sizzle” Mystery
The most interesting part of the signage is their tagline: “Boil and Sizzle.” While they haven’t released a menu yet, that name is a dead giveaway for a Hot Pot and Grill combo. Think along the lines of searing Wagyu on a tabletop grill while a spicy broth simmers right next to it.
This concept reminds us a lot of Bellwether, that “Boil and Grill” spot on Alexandra Road that has been “opening soon” for close to two years now. If Taoke can actually get their doors open this year, they might just beat Bellwether to the punch and bring this hybrid style to Richmond first.
A Bit of Culture on the Boards
Taoke isn’t just a random name; it actually comes from a mythic beast called the Taotie. According to the boards, the name is all about abundance and sharing food with guests. It’s a nice touch that shows they are putting a lot of thought into the brand, which is exactly what we need at Aberdeen right now.
Competition for Sura?
With Sura Korean BBQ sitting right downstairs, Taoke is definitely picking a fight in a busy neighbourhood. Sura is the reigning champ for BBQ in the mall, so it’ll be interesting to see if Taoke’s “philosophy and flavour” angle can give them a run for their money.
Either way, after a month of sad closures, seeing a fresh concept with this much effort behind it is a breath of fresh air.
We’ll be keeping a close eye on this one—hopefully, it doesn’t stay “behind the boards” for as long as Bellwether has! Be the first to get updates by following us on Instagram!
