Oct 9, 2014 Cheap Eats
BBQ NOODLES BAR
29 Aviemore Drive, Highland Park
Great barbecue meats out east: with good old traditional roast duck, roast pork, BBQ pork, soya chicken and pork spare ribs, this place reminds us of Hong Kong. Make sure you get there early; it’s so popular it sometimes sells out by 8pm.
Chinese
BIG J’S
4/1 Melton Rd Mt Wellington
Gourmet burgers that actually are gourmet, these are some of Auckland’s best. Changing specials include the Little Bo Peep: a handmade lamb and rosemary pattie with grilled bacon, beetroot, sautéed onions, fresh mint mayonnaise and kumara chips.
Burgers
DRAGONFIRED PIZZA
Little Oneroa Beach, Waiheke
This woodfired oven in a caravan churns out food perfect for eating on the beach. Don’t be in a hurry — it’s all about island time here. The pizza, pockets breads and calzone are all fresher than fresh, with wonderful Mediterranean fillings.
Pizza
KONG FUZI RESTAURANT
9 Gooch Place, Meadowlands
This friendly place is great for a group. We recommend their signature boiled fish with bean sprouts in hot chilli oil, and vinegar sweet sauce eggplant: so full of flavours. There’s also a good selection of hand-pulled noodles and dumplings.
Northern Chinese
MARSIC BROS
47 Mayfair Place, Glen Innes
Since 1967, Marsic Bros have been turning out hand-made chips and fabulous fish. Not for Marsic the overblown batter: here, it’s on the thin side, which reminds you you’re actually eating fish. It’s delicate and perfectly cooked.
Fish & chips
SAMWOO VIETNAMESE CAFE
15 Princes St, Otahuhu
This enormous restaurant serves food full of big, sweet, tangy flavours. The pork spring rolls are longer and thinner than usual — crisp,
flavoursome and with a perfectly tangy dipping sauce.
Vietnamese
TURO-TURO
26a Mayfair Place, Glen Innes
Modern Filipino food has its roots in indigenous, Chinese and Malay cuisine, with a bit of Spanish and American thrown in for good measure. The dishes at Turo-Turo, like Filipino favourite Bicol Express — pork with coconut cream and shrimp paste — are a great introduction.
Filipino
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