This is the place I would pop in when I worked in Mount Eden last year to satisfy a strange habit…read moreof curious indulgence; I like sweets, and would buy packets of sugary treats in foreign languages that I did not understand and give them a go. Who knows what I was actually actually eating, it was fun. The packaging, (which there was generally way too much of) was always brightly coloured with images of happy quirky animals. So attractively kitsch. My curious taste buds sometimes were delighted and sometimes freaked out by the unfamiliar territory - what a rush. I have tried the same thing with tea, it didn't last quite as long, and was motivated by the cool tins they came in, more old school than the lolly packaging. I guess I have eclectic tastes for the quirky and the traditional.

Chances are if there is an Asian store or supermarket or hybrid of the two in Auckland I have been…read more I went to this one once and only once, it isn't the greatest. Bok Mart has mostly packaged groceries, no fresh produce (I was thinking they would sell bok choy for some reason) and a small frozen section. As well as food items there is a considerable amount of junk. I don't mean the food, the other stuff, weird personal items and homewares. There is a bit of self medicating that could be done through herbal remedies here too. I really wasn't impressed. The other Asian supermarkets are way better than this and stock a lot more. This one is almost a cross between a variety store and an Asian mini mart. Also nothing really had English translations, I like to know what I am eating. The store is disorganised and is a bit on the dirty side. Not really a place you want to buy food from. There are better ones in Newmarket like Tofu shop and Japan Mart.

This Asian supermarket (formerly Silver Bell) is located on Dominion Road next to the Target…read morefurniture store. If you approach it from one of the side roads there'll be an unpleasant smell as you pass the skips and rubbish out the back but don't let this put you off, the actual produce in-store is well displayed, fresh and clean. It's not as big and clean as the Tai Ping supermarket up the road in Mount Roskill, but you can pick up some good bargains and they even accept credit cards for payments over a certain amount ($20 or $30 I think)? Like other Chinese supermarkets, they have a separate meat and fish section, and you can buy groceries from a variety of Asian cuisines like Korean and Japanese as well as Chinese. The fresh produce is much cheaper than what you'll find in mainstream supermarkets like Countdown.

This is one of the DH chain of supermarkets spread through some of Auckland , stocking mostly…read moreChinese / Asian foods. It is one of the older shops and gives that impression for sure but does have a good selection of all the necessary Asian foods ...and a butchery and seafood section. You cannot use credit card unless you spend over $40 , you cannot swipe your AA card here like in the Albany shop to get points but it does have a bit of carparking available . It gets a bit busy too, so expect a wait in line maybe.

I'll admit I used to be a bit afraid of Tai Ping. Mainly because the carpark is a terrifying place…read moreand you could lose your life. Really, the driving here is shocking. The shop itself though has just got better and better over the last few years and now is a really great general supermarket that has bargain prices and exotic products. There's more noodles than anyone could ever want to eat and rice, dried beans and condiments galore. The flavour pastes and fresh produce are my favourites here and there's also a smattering of foodstalls on one side that make Asian snacks; my favourite being the pancakes. I'm also partial to a bit of Plum Wine and this place has it, along with Asian beers etc. And I still just can't help but marvel over all the crazy dried funghi, fish innards and the like that are so foreign to me - I got to say it, these days Auckland has pretty much every curious food ingredient available which can only be a good thing.

Amazing variety of well, everything. Super cheap veggies & fruits, I got avocados for $0.69…read moreyesterday! The shop is massive and super tidy, you might struggle to get a park but it's definitely worth a small effort. Love it!

Since coming to Auckland I was so happy to find a grocery store that stocks all my favorite and…read morenecessary Asian ingredients and fresh veggies at great prices. There are a plethora of food items to choose from but the veggies are what I come here for. The meat department looks a bit questionable so I stay away from it. Service is not always the best at the cash registers but they are doing their job amongst the long lines, so just be patient. The place isn't the cleanest place but I assure you the veggies are fine. Make sure to bag everything so it won't touch your basket. My pro-tip: I stick to the veggies, dry food items, and chili sauces (they have a bunch so take your time to find your ideal one!). Stop by the food court on the way out for a cheap and fast lunch.

For years one of my favourite supermarkets. I am a wheelchair user and accessibility can be a…read moreproblem but I make it work So imagine my surprise when the first time in 6 years something is wrong with the vegetables ... (truss tomatoes- the not ripe ones Crack over the next couple of days and mould quickly grows in the cracks and they start leaking...only ones it didn't happen were the 2 ripe ones I bought) ... so I take them back 5 days later when I am able to get out and instead of an apology and a promise to look into the infected tomatoes, I am accused of lying, told I didn't buy them there...where is the receipt to prove it was there shop etc. I took a photo and left the tomatoes on the counter ... almost $12 a kilo ... and left the shop. Something is seriously wrong with the tomatoes they sold me and they need to take responsibility for them.

The CBD location of the Royal Save Mart family is a great Korean supermarket for inner city…read moredwellers without a car. Unlike the small colony of Korean supermarkets on the North Shore, this Royal Save Mart packs a punch for the size of store and location. They have a very respectable selection of Korean (and some Japanese) imported dry goods, snacks, drinks and frozen foods. They offer a range of frozen Korean style meat cuts from a butcher on the Shore and also carry a range of Kimchi both imported from Korea as well as some locally made stuff. Now you may be thinking that the local stuff is fresher and should taste better. However, as Kimchi is fermented cabbage this is a bit irrelevant and the more important factor is the use of Korean chiles and fish sauce (which most NZ made Kimchi does not contain). Royal Save Mart's Kimchi selection is very reasonably priced especially when you buy the larger pack sizes. Above all the Royal Save Mart has a little food corner that is open until about 5 or 6pm. I haven't been able to sample the food myself as I never visit this store when it is open (I don't work in the city). However, the women that run the food corner also have a whole fridge of fresh made Korean side dishes (panchan) that are so reasonably priced and so damn delicious that I would imagine the mains are just as delectable. These women are from the deep south of Korea which is known to have the tastiest recipes in all of the land. Compared to the 3 other Auckland Korean supermarkets I've been to, this one has the best and varied selection of side dishes. If you want to impress your friends by cooking Korean food, you can buy the side dishes from these ladies and make 'cheats bibimibop' (pic uploaded). Only downside is a real lack of parking, but its in the CBD so get over it and enjoy!

KC Loos is a bit of an institution in Mt Eden. A family owned fruit and vege store that has been up…read moreand running for generations, my mum moved to Auckland almost 30 years ago and remembers KC Loos being there! It's pretty rare that an independent family owned business would last so long in such a central Auckland location, and that's one of the best things about shopping at KC Loos - you're supporting a good cause and helping maintain a community oriented company. Situated on the corner of Stokes Road and Mt Eden Road, KC Loos is constantly packed with local customers, and I actually know people who used to drive into Mt Eden from out West just to get their groceries from KC Loo - it is that well known for having quality produce! Also very reasonably priced, you can find everything from fresh big broccoli heads to juicy watermelons, mangoes and papaya at KC Loos. Tip: Over summer KC Loos often stock mixed packs of fruits like watermelon, pineapple, mango, and rockmelon which are really cheap and are perfect for picnics and potluck dinners!

Our school is beyond grateful for the very generous donation of fruit that has been collected today…read morefrom the store, for a fundraising event that is being held at Kōwhai Intermediate School. It is amazing to see a local businesses giving back to the community (especially during tough covid times) and ensuring quality fruits are donated. Could not recommend this store enough! Thankyou very much Glennis, appreciate your very kind gesture!

Great italian eatery in Auckland CBD - amazing setting, great drinks and the bruschetta's are just…read moredelicious. Service is great and prices are more than reasonable. We will return soon!

I was in the city on a mission to have a lunch date with my partner, and we decided on the Italian…read moreflavour of Bruschetteria, which was nicely situated at the front of the Elliot stables. If you're after a slice of Italy, this is 100% the right place to be seated. They have a Fantastic menu with over 15 selections of Bruschette. My pick of the day was Dal Fiume- Marscopone Cheese, Herbs, Salmon, Capers, Cracked Pepper and Olive Oil. Was sensational, and a pleasure to eat- just delicious. I was served my Bruchette so fast, that I was sure, they had mixed up someone else's order, but no, it was a quiet day, and the staff were in top form, as I am sure they always are. Coffee was Italian roasted and just smooth and silky. Service was friendly and fast, and the setting sophisticated and stylish. I really enjoyed my lunch date and will return to sample the crostini and ensalada's.

This business does not exist in the address anymore. Don't know if they are closed or moved. Phone…read morenumber does not give us a new number. They sold authentic that groceries and food. If they are closed it is a loss

I was a big fan of this place when it was Payless Food Bazaar but it has recently changed hands and…read morenow I'm not so sure. The fresh produce has been reduced drastically, to the point where it should be removed altogether. No one wants to see lonely fruit and vege. The hot food Chaat where you couldn't help but buy hot aromatic Indian snacks has gone but even worse, all the cabinets and counters are still there to remind you what you're missing. All international grocery products have also been taken away so now the range is exclusively Indian with literally two bottles of soy sauce in the whole place, no sushi supplies, noodles or anything else not from the Subcontinent. It's all very well being altruistic but surely diversification is a good economic decision? Maybe they only have an import line from India. Whatever, it's disappointing as this place has a carpark out the back and used to be pretty convenient. The nice man behind the counter tells me they are considering a hot food takeaway counter but I don't think Sandringham needs more lukewarm pre-made curry. You can get cheap two-for-one milk and this is one of the few places where you can get a green and a blue bottle in the deal - what can I say, the little things make me happy. I'm not sure how to feel about the rodent traps because at least they are trying to catch the little buggars right? I'd just rather not know about it. The absolute best thing about this place is the masalas - you need never struggle through attempting a curry at home again; there's a spice mix for all your favourites and many you've never heard of at around $3 each. The clue is in the name I guess.

The day I discovered Khyber Spice Invader was the day I decided to never buy packet spices again. I…read morewas so completely astounded at how cheap spices are when you buy in bulk that I was sent into a blind rage. What the hell, Gregg's? Why do you charge $3-5 for a small box of spices when Khyber Spice Invader can sell me the same amount for 10 or 20 cents? Here's a tip - head out to your local $2 shop, buy up a huge number of tiny sealable containers and a packet of stickers, then go and stock up on every single spice you've ever used or wanted. I guarantee you won't spend more than $10 doing so at Khyber Spice Invader. While you're there you can also choose from a range of Indian vegetables, curry bases and sauces, all cheap as well. Worth the trip out to the suburbs, every time!