The Tiger Awakens
There comes a moment in every coastal town’s story when something electric arrives, something that does not just add to the landscape, but transforms it. For Whangamatā, that moment came when the doors of Mekong Foo swung open, unleashing a riot of colour, flavour and unbridled joy onto the Coromandel Peninsula.
This was not just another restaurant opening. This was a manifesto.
“We wanted to create something the community would feel happy to come to, not just for special occasions, but for a Tuesday lunch with your workmates, Sunday dinner with the whānau, or that spontaneous ‘let’s grab a bite’ moment with friends,” says the team behind Whangamatā’s most vibrant culinary arrival.
The result is a space that pulses with the energy of a Saigon street market and the warmth of a Kiwi beach town, where the décor hits you like a tropical thunderstorm and the food transports you straight to the bustling hawker stalls of Hà Nội, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.
The Art of the Tiger
Every great venue needs a guardian spirit. For Mekong Foo, that spirit came alive through the visionary brush of Shane Walker, the local artist who took raw, ambitious dreams and rendered them into a prowling, electric Asian tiger that now watches over diners with fierce, welcoming eyes.
“Shane was incredible to work with,” the team recalls. “He took our very raw ideas and made them reality.” That collaboration birthed an interior that refuses to whisper.
It shouts with joy. Vibrant hues clash and harmonise. Neon accents pulse against bold murals. It is a space designed to make you smile before you have even tasted the food, appealing to grandparents and grandchildren alike, to surfers fresh from the beach and professionals escaping the office.
This is not minimalist fine dining. This is maximalist fun!
From Nerve-Wrecking Dream to Community Heart
Let’s be honest, opening a restaurant is terrifying. The early days of Mekong Foo were a cocktail of pure excitement and sleepless nights. Would Whangamatā embrace this bold new flavour? Would the community see themselves in this electric Southeast Asian vision? The answer came roaring back. Yes.
“The support from the community has been incredibly positive,” the team reflects, still sounding genuinely humbled by the reception.
That support is not taken for granted. Behind the scenes, the Mekong Foo crew are relentless perfectionists, constantly tweaking, improving and pushing to deliver experiences that keep locals coming back and visitors planning return trips.
Because this is not just about serving food. It is about creating moments, the kind where you laugh louder than you meant to, where you insist your friends “just try this”, where you realise three hours have disappeared over shared plates and cold drinks.
Mekong Foo proudly welcomes Beach Hop 2026
As the newest addition to this year’s Beach Hop line-up, they are revving their engines alongside the chrome and leather. Whether you are cruising in a classic ’57 Chevy or riding a thundering Harley, swing by for fuel of a different kind, vibrant Southeast Asian flavours that match the energy of New Zealand’s most iconic automotive festival. Consider this your pit stop for paradise.
Your Invitation to the Table
Mekong Foo throws open its doors six days a week—Tuesday through Sunday, from 12pm till 9pm—ready to feed your cravings whether they strike at midday or sunset.
07 214 9271 — Call for inquiries, or bring your spontaneous spirit and walk right in (parties under 10). Planning a celebration? Groups over 10 can book ahead to secure their spot in the jungle.
Follow Mekong Foo on Facebook and Instagram.
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