Metro — Best Cheap Eats 2015: Sandringham and Mt Albert

Oct 2, 2015 Cheap Eats

Gua bao at Chinoiserie. Photo: Simon Young

JAI JALARAM KHAMAN

570 Sandringham Rd, Sandringham
“No colouring, no milk, no cream,” says Hiteshkuar Thakkar about his Gujarati vegetarian food. We recommend the gujarati thali (roti or puri, vegetable curries, rice or masala khichdi, dal or kadhi, chaas with papad, pickle and salad). Undhiya-puri, a variation of the thali, is available on Fridays and weekends. Hiteshkumar and his wife, Varsha, are justly proud of their khaman (chickpea paste, steamed and then spread with mustard, spices and oil).
Gujarati

SHUBH

520 Sandringham Rd, Sandringham
The thalis at Shubh are excellent value — take your pick of several vegetarian curries, to which is added roti, rice, pickles and raita, and you’ll get change from $10. The samosas with tamarind chutney are also very good, and the bean and potato curry is addictive. Dinners end early: 7pm for dine-in, 8pm for takeaway. Also now at 150 Mt Smart Rd, Onehunga.
Indian

7 SIRI TASTE OF SRI LANKA

580 Sandringham Rd, Sandringham
The owners recommend the kottu roti — chopped-up roti, veggies and egg (with meat options) mixed with spices and herbs. The lump rice (spicy rice wrapped in banana leaf with a choice of six curries) is also popular, as are appa: rice pancakes that can be used as a wrap for a fried egg, a serving of kottu roti or a sweet treat.
Sri Lankan

CHINOISERIE (TOP 10)

4 Owairaka Ave, Mt Albert
The rebellious sibling to L’Oeuf cafe next door, Chinoiserie’s Asian street food-inspired dishes include hearty servings of pork spare ribs, house steamed gua bao with a choice of five fillings (try the Sichuan chicken) and interesting sides like a Korean glass noodle salad and coconut-crusted squid rings. There’s craft beer on tap and a quality wine list.
Asian fusion

MUMBAI CHAAT

1A Kitchener Rd, Sandringham
There are three good vegetarian restaurants in the Sandringham shops, but this one has a special charm. Most of the menu is hard to grasp, so the best thing to do is put yourself in their hands. They’ll look after you superbly well. Mention the dahi puris: they’re brilliant.
Indian

PARADISE INDIAN FOOD (TOP 10)

591 Sandringham Rd, Sandringham
The crowds for the sit-down restaurant and the takeaway next door are there for good reason: this place serves quite possibly the best Indian curries in Auckland. The lamb korma, chicken marsala and other classics are all excellent, but you really should also try some of their special dishes: bagarey baigan, say, which is spicy eggplant in a tamarind sauce. The biryani is very good, too, and the chicken 65 is more than a little famous.
Indian