With the Auckland Lantern Festival just around the corner, we’ve put together a list of ten must-try dishes – so you can try them all!
Celebrate Chinese New Year and the Year of the Rabbit at this free and family-friendly event. Enjoy hundreds of handmade Chinese lanterns on display, along with cultural music and dance performances, traditional craft demonstrations, a spectacular fireworks display, and a long list of food stalls. The Auckland Lantern Festival will be held at Manukau Sports Bowl from 2-5 February 2023. The festival is sure to provide you with plenty of mouthwatering dishes to sample, so tantalise your taste buds with some of these delicious delights.
1. Malaysian Carriage
Looking to try some Malaysian traditional street food? Head to Malaysian Carriage food stall to sample some Bami Goreng (Malaysian fried noodles). They will also have Char Kway Teow (Malaysian fried rice noodles), chicken satay with peanut sauce(GF), homemade roti with curry sauce (Veg), chicken bites, BBQ pork bun, prawn fritters, spring rolls, and fish bites. Malaysian Carriage uses Malaysian recipes that were passed down by their great-grandparents.
2. CHENG ZHEN TEMPLE
If you're vegetarian, CHENG ZHEN TEMPLE is your go-to. The restaurant serves only vegetarian food items, with a lot of choices available to satisfy any customer's craving for Chinese delicacies. Choose between dumplings, spring rolls, fried noodles/rice, kebabs, Chinese bread, sushi, fried wontons, steamed or pan-fried buns, sweet and sour snacks, sesame balls, and tofu snacks. They also have Chinese authentic snacks and Chinese donuts.
3. Mini Street food
Have you ever tried Chinese Tornado potatoes? Also called twist potatoes or tornado fries, this is a popular Chinese street food. They are made by twisting potatoes into a spiral, deep fried to a crispy shell, then smothering them in sauce - delicious! Mini Street food also serves ice cream rolls and Candy floss.
4. Mama's Dumplings
Fan of dumplings? Head to Mama's Dumplings to sample these delicious delights. They also have BBQ Pork Buns, Dim Sum, Spring Rolls, Sushi, and Takoyaki Balls if you are feeling super hungry.
5. Gozleme
Looking for something different? Try Gozleme which serves delicious Mediterranean food. Place your order and watch the chef cook your food on a hot plate. Options include Spinach & Cheese, Chicken, and lamb mince which is served with fresh lemon, and a complimentary serving of Harrisa Chilly sauce.
6. My Kitchen
Head to My Kitchen for your Taiwanese fix. There is so much to choose from. They serve chicken nuggets, sticky tofu, and oyster omelet. They also sell bubble tea, steamed buns, deep-fried dumplings, octopus balls, pork mince on rice, and chicken fillets.
7. Yummythai
For some authentic Thai dishes full of flavour, head to Yummythai. Enjoy either a pad Thai, fried rice, chicken kebabs, spring rolls, steamed buns, chicken and cashew nuts, or chicken satay. Everything smells so good and is so tasty!
8. Master Food on Wheel
Have you ever tried a Rougamo? It is a street food originating from the cuisine of Shaanxi Province and is widely consumed all over China. It is sometimes called a Chinese hamburger. It is a flatbread filled with pork belly and special seasoning - really worth the try!
9. Hong Kong Station (HKS)
Hong Kong Station is sweet tooth heaven. Serving bubble waffles and gelato, everything tastes as good as it looks!
10. Pineapple Shack
Feeling thirsty? Pineapple Shack is your go-to to drench your thirst with real fruit smoothies served in pineapples - so refreshing!