Oct 2, 2015 Cheap Eats
@BANGKOK
438 New North Rd, Kingsland
With big sharp, sweet flavours and all the fragrance you hope for, @Bangkok sets a benchmark for Thai food that few others match. All the curries are good, especially the green curry with duck, and the pad thai is a welcome staple too. Don’t forget the sticky rice.
Thai
BIAN SUSHI
183 Symonds St, Eden Tce
Allan Jung has run Bian for 11 years, making some of the best sushi in town. His donburi, especially the teriyaki chicken, spicy chicken and teriyaki salmon, are also very good. And the pork katsu is proof that curry definitely has a place in Japanese cuisine.
Japanese
EDEN NOODLES
105 Dominion Rd, Mt Eden
One of our judges admits that in the middle of rushing round eating at other places, she just had to join the crowds at Eden Noodles and “get some of those dumplings ‘in spicy sauce’”. The hand-pulled dan dan noodles are magnificent, too, and they don’t skimp on the tongue-numbing Sichuan pepper. It’s not much to look at, this place, which makes it perfect for a first date. Assuming, that is, you’re only interested in other food lovers.
Sichuan
CINTA MALAYSIAN
454 Dominion Rd, Mt Eden
Cinta means “love” in Malay and the locals certainly love this place. We recommend the Cinta creamy curry chicken, assam lamb curry, and beef (or chicken) rendang, along with the sambal dishes, most notably the sambal eggplant. Then there’s the unique Sarawak kway tiaw, in which rice noodles are seared in a hot wok, then cooked in a tomato gravy.
Malaysian
JOLIN SHANGHAI
248 Dominion Rd, Mt Eden
Jolin is not the only restaurant in town to serve xiao long bao, the dumplings with soup in them, but we confess it’s still our favourite. Sweet, hot, so tasty, such a treat. We’re very partial to the lamb with cumin seeds, too, and the braised pork belly, served in a single large piece with bok choy, is magnificent.
Shanghainese
MT EDEN VILLAGE FISH SHOP
438 Mt Eden Rd, Mt Eden
The fish is superbly fresh, the batter light and crispy, the chips golden and chunky, and there’s a whole world of other seafood offerings. We particularly recommend the manuka hot-smoked salmon.
Fish and chips
RAMEN DO
167 Symonds St, Eden Tce
This unassuming ramen bar is a haven from sprawling Symonds St. They make their own noodles and stock fresh each day, and you get to grind your own sesame seeds at the table to add for a garnish. The food is complex, rich and utterly nourishing. We love the char-shu miso ramen, and the exemplary
Japanese service.
Japanese
SU & ZHE
280 Dominion Rd, Mt Eden
Extremely popular with Chinese locals, this place has a few of those dishes you may think you won’t like (jellyfish in vinegar), many that are well worth the experiment (salty fish, chicken and tofu in a clay pot) and many more you just know will be great. Our favourite right now: Grandma’s braised pork. They do xaio long bao, too.
Southern Chinese/Shanghainese
YOKOSO
241 Dominion Rd, Mt Eden
They have a window on to the street for takeout, while inside it’s all woody rusticity with live vibes provided, on occasion, by the ukulele-strumming owner. The simple menu delivers value and gratification aplenty, from the comprehensive sushi selection to the crunchy sauce katsu don: deep-fried pork and rice slathered in sweetish sauce and drizzled with Japanese mayo.
Japanese
Eastern suburbs, Mt Wellington, Otahuhu and Waiheke
Epsom, Mt Roskill, Newmarket and Royal Oak
