I was in a great need of a hot soup to recover from my hangover. We were in north shore so I've…read moremanaged to persuade everyone to go to Pho Bien for a Steam Boat (hot pot). We ordered a medium Steamboat (55) which says it's for 2~3 people. Well, this was an overestimation as four of us couldn't finish it. We received a boiling bowl with two sides of spicy and non-spicy broth but they soon got mixed together when food was put. We started by putting in the meat and seafood followed by vegetables (as veges get cooked faster!). Noodle went in last as you should enjoy it with the broth full of beef and seafood flavour. The waiter was happy to top up our broth as we ran out. The great thing about the Steamboat is that you can taste a variety of food including mushrooms, prawn, fish cakes and so much more at once. You can also control how long the meat/veges are cooked as you can simply pick them up and eat it when you like it. Everything was delicious and the soup really healed me :p The ginger and lemongrass condiment wasn't my thing so I made my own by mixing chili sauces.

Got the Large steam boat (4-5) for dinner with the family for a birthday. Was huge- 2 platters well…read morestocked with an arrangement of seafood, meat, vegetables & noodles. Definitely recommend buying the medium size unless you're starving or feeding boys/men. Got a group table in the outdoor portion of the restaurant. It is a neat wooden patio just next door to the four walled main interior with a makeshift material roof and front wall cover that does well to protect from the elements. Luckily they had a tall heater in the middle so we were protected from the cold night temperatures as well. Was surprised by how busy it was- both sections were fairly full and it got more packed as the evening went on. I can see why- the steam boat was a fun way to eat dinner and there was great things to put in - octopus, mussels, tofu, thin sliced beef, cabbage, rice noodles- to name a few. Liked the split steam boat bowl with two different soups- one spicy, one plain- and to be able to have two steam boats going at the same time and no extra waiting. Great sauces on the side to mix- with a green paste, bbq sauce, hot sauce and very spicy red peppers, beware. Definitely recommend the steamboat. Curious to try the cooked dishes and their dessert menu at another time.

This is one of those spots that I walk past on a regular basis but have never ventured inside…read more Well, today I finally did and was immediately annoyed that I hadn't done so earlier. It's a gem on what is an otherwise average block. The decor is hipster cool, mismatched and full of quirky touches, like an old toy dump truck carrying a leafy shrub in it's tray or the low hanging wire caged lights. They also have a pretty cute courtyard out back, which i'm told is a recent addition. There's ample seating but best of all it's delightfully quiet - perfect for reading the morning paper. Food-wise everything is fair trade and organic and whilst I am yet to try the menu, I watched Belgium waffles smothered in creme fraiche and berry compote being delivered to a table today and they looked devine. As for their smoothies - try the organic blueberry. It's made with biofarm yoghurt, honey and organic milk. It's not overly sweet so you still feel like you are being reasonably healthy!

Seriously impressed on every level with this cafe. Fast, super fresh whole food, and awesome…read moreservice. The almond milk coffee is the best I've tried! Raw Zoodle Pasta is to die for, and Eggs Bene was top of the list for the best around. Even the bf, who is not vegan, gf inclined or remotely interested in 'health' foods, was raving about this place. We will be back!

Malaysian street food We really enjoyed our dinner here. We…read moretried the chicken curry with rice and roti, char kway teow and sambal green beans and we ordered pisang goreng (banana fritters) for dessert! The flavours were authentic and we're so pleased to be able to eat good Malaysian food in Auckland.

Worth the drive out of the city center for authentic Malaysian Food. Ordered the Satay, curry…read morepuff, roti, prawn mee and Nasi Lemak. All in good portions and very tasty. There is another branch in the middle of city center but this one is more conveniently located with lots of free street parking. The ambiance is lively and loud as you would expect at a hawker stall. The wait staff is very friendly and efficient. We'd definitely come back again!

Your typical japanese (almost fast-food) donburi place. There's quite of a few of these Renkons…read morearound Auckland. Prices are fair, and if you feel like the portions are too small you can try upsize your veges or rice for $1 which I thought was a great option. Great choice for takeaways and a nice range of sides.

The hundred metres of restaurants between Hurtsmere Road and Lake Road is a competitive place to…read morerun an eatery. There are some great places and Renkon holds it's own. The Teriyaki Salmon seems to be a universal favourite among my friends - quite often it will be the only main ordered by a group of 4 or 5 people. At $11-12 it's great value too. Renkon is a busy and noisy kind of place. It has a great energy like the yakatori bars in the city. If you're after a quiet, romantic spot it might not be the ideal spot, but as a casual place to hang out with friends or grab a bite to eat before a movie it's perfect.

I grew up three minutes from here, but never gave this place much thought as it's nothing special…read moreto look at. Having been for the first time a few months ago, I now realise it's one of the sweet neighborhood places that puts minimal effort into appearance or atmosphere, but serves up excellent food. My go to dish is the Kimchi stew - the best possible meal for cold days. They ask if you want it mild or spicy, and I've never found the spicy overwhelming, just pleasantly hot. Besides, if you're ordering a dish that's main ingredient is kimchi, embrace the spice! They give you a big bowl of it, and it's served with rice (which I can only ever eat a fraction of) and side dishes, so it's a seriously filling meal, for something like $13. The staff are lovely, and it's a nice place to enjoy a casual lunch or dinner - no need to don your fancy pants

Wandering around in the heart of Birkenhead, looking for dinner and stumbled across this Top 100…read moreMetro cheap eats spot- so that made our decision. A small cosy interior with a yellow wall and wooden paneling underneath to the floor. Loved the picture of visitors on the wall- wanted to get on it! A few black and white checkered tables with backed chairs and a corner with a fridge full of chilled drinks, a self-serve water cooler and rice water green tea. Such friendly staff- really appreciated it, especially with the set up and maintenance of our ham and sausage stew on the gas burner- which we were accidentally burning. Never heard of this dish before but a good hearty soup that dates back to the American soldiers in the Korean war. Also ordered their marinated squid with rice as well as marinated pork with rice. Each of us were given a tray with bowl of white rice, side dishes with pickled radish with sesame seeds, seaweed, fish cake and mung beans. More than plenty side dishes and an additional plate of kimchi that filled every inch of space on our table for four. Very filling and such good value for money. Definitely come check this one out if you are after good Korean!

$9 for 10 pillow soft flavour-filled pouches - was there ever a tastier, more affordable snack? I…read morethink not... Happy Dumpling King, like most other dumpling houses, is pretty stark. Expect the usual wooden tables and chairs, plastic water jugs and fluorescent lights with the added bonus of a t.v. - some light entertainment for those dining solo. As far as the menu goes, it's actually pretty extensive. There's a ton of noodles dishes, soups and stirfrys but we were here for one reason and one reason only - to sample the dumplings. Feeling adventurous we ordered egg & chives to go with our usual pork & coriander. Of course, we splashed out and paid the extra $1 to have them pan-fried too (thanks Lisa). The pork & coriander was definitely the favourite. Tender pork and fragrant coriander is a fail-proof combo in my book. As for the egg and chive, I am undecided. They we good but I think the ratio was a little chive heavy. Next time I might just go wild out and try their chicken ones...

Oh dear. Happy Dumpling King have had a makeover with new booth seating and a new menu…read more Unfortunately the older lady chef who won us over with her beautiful dumplings doesn't seem to work there anymore. We revisited Happy Dumpling King to sample their new menu and were pleased to see our favourite dishes were still available. The new additions are a mixed bag including tempura and cashew nut chicken... Unfortunately an old fave, the 'Mapo Dofu' had none of the wonderful fire tempered with silky brown beans that I had enjoyed so much. The new incarnation was a totally different beast, the flavours were pretty insipid and didn't permeate through the now larger chunks of tofu. The brown beans were AWOL, there was also a mysterious unidentifiable meat and the final death-nell... chuckwagon corn. Nothing says "I just don't care anymore" like adding a frozen vege mix. Our usual dumplings didn't taste seasoned and were also pretty bland. The new (?) owners seemed very eager to please, after I mentioned that the old tofu dish was better the host said "I'll recognize you next time we will add more spice". If you're into the Kiwi Chinese takeaway faves like spring rolls and sweet and sour pork you won't be disappointed. We used to visit this restaurant at least once a week so I'll give them another chance but I fear it's not the pearler it once was.

From meat, vegetables, sauces, salads, breads and soups, to pancakes and ice cream, the buffet…read morespread at Gengis Khan has got to be one of the most extensive I have seen! As the name suggests, it's named after the Mongolian warrior, Genghis Khan. The food itself isn't Mongolian, but apparently this is how Genghis Khan fed his army after a brutal battle. Fun fact, huh? The basic concept of the Mongolian BBQ is simple. First, you fill a bowl up with raw meats (namely chicken, beef, lamb, and seafood), vegetables, sauces, oils and noodles. I'm not too much of a meat expert but I thought their meats were of fairly good quality. Then, you take it up to the chefs manning the huge hotplate in the middle of the restaurant, and watch them cook your selection to perfection (hey, that rhymed)! There is also fried rice and white rice available, as well as garlic bread, baked root vegetables and soups. For the vegetarians out there, not only do they have a wide range of vegetables that can be cooked by the chefs, there are plenty of fresh selections at the salad bar. To round your meal off, you can get the chefs to dish you up a pancake. If you ask nicely, they might even be able to make you one in the shape of Mickey Mouse. The pancakes are probably my highlight of the dining experience - super fluffy and they also have a variety of toppings and ice cream which you can put on them. The downside of this place is that it is quite small and it does get very busy. There will be times where you have to wait a while for the chef to cook your meal - my longest wait was nearly 30 minutes! Overall, the atmosphere of Gengis Khan is exciting, although a little noisy at times. Considering that you can eat all to your heart's content, the price is quite reasonable. It is a casual, family-friendly restaurant, so it's definitely more suited for family gatherings. I frequented this place quite often during my high school years, but I feel like I've 'grown out of it'... mainly because most of their patrons are either families or large groups of teenagers. Just make sure that you go hungry!

This place is pretty good. Pretty damn good in fact…read more Today I had a real hankering for Japanese and with only 30minutes to spare before my next meeting I popped in Musashi to pick up some takeaways. Whilst Musashi looks pretty inconspicuous from outside, inside it absolutely hums. The decor is pretty nondescript, black walls with wooden features and giant sake bottles sitting on shelves but the food, well, that is another story. Being in a rather indecisive mood, I decided to go for the chicken teriyaki bento box. It was delicious. The miso had a load of flavour and was clearly not of the packet variety, the edamame beans were perfectly salted, the salad of finely cut cabbage and japanese mayo was crunchy and fresh but the real star of the dish was most definitely the chicken. It was cooked to perfection and was unbelievably tender plus the teriyaki marinade was one of the best ever had. My only teensy tiny complaint was that serving size seemed small given the price. Regardless, that food was that good I will definitely be going back. ASAP.

Musashi is a really great japanese restaurant. The menu is made up of traditional meals with a…read morecouple of Musashi originals thrown in for good measure. The decor of the place is pretty standard. The walls, atbles and chairs are all dark, the table settings are immaculate, and there is a private room that you can hire out if you wish. Both the food and drinks are moderately priced, which makes it great for groups and couples. The service is awesome and you;re alwasy greeted by a smiling face. There is a handy 'most popular' board which lets you know the most commonly ordered dishes. I recommend ordering something off the board (even if it's just little), you never know, you might find your new favourite thing. It can be busy on Fridau and Staurday nights, but I think it makes the ambience cool. Pop in for lunch or dinner - you'll always leave satisfied.

I can't believe I haven't heard of this place earlier. What an absolute treat!…read more I stopped in here last Friday lunch when it was cold and blustery out and I was in desperate need of soup. As per, I was in a bit of hurry so I was chuffed that their daily soup, Tomato and Leek Soup with Cheesy Toast, was available takeaway. Whilst waiting for my cuppa soup, I grabbed one of the only seats available and took it all in. Stanley's was absolutely packed; there were ladies who lunch, businessmen in suits, grandmas enjoying a cuppa and a hipster teen out with his mother. It struck me that this is the kind of place where everyone feels comfortable. The interior is simple, clean and fuss free with ceiling to floor windows that make it beautifully light inside (even when it is miserable outside). Of course, there are also exposed light features but in this case they work brilliantly with the fresh, white interior. Within 10minutes my takeaway soup had arrived with the bag of cheesy goodness and boy, was I excited. When I got home, I transferred the piping hot soup to a bowl and noticed that they had served it with fresh sage and a drizzle of cream. The little things really can a difference. The soup smelt absolutely devine and tasted equally as good; thick and hearty with a rich tomato flavour. Combined with the cheesy toast this was most definitely a substantial lunch. I was satisfied, full and ready to steam through an afternoon of work! I will most definitely be back, on the reg.

Stanley's is one of those good cafes popping up in suburban shops. The coffee is always good and…read moreworth the trip to pick up a takeout. The cabinet food is tempting and the pies. This weekend was a double visit. On Saturday a coffee and blueberry muffin was a mid morning treat. The muffin wasn't the biggest in the world but was lovely and moist with lots of berries. Sunday was a working bee and the homemade chicken and beef and ale pies hit the spot at lunchtime and provided the energy to keep going with the wallpaper stripping. If you want to eat in they have an excellent menu with old fashioned favourites such as savoury mince.

I had NO idea what to expect when I arrived here. However, considering I was going with my parents…read moreas well as aunt and uncle who all ADORE good food I was willing to put up with the dire surroundings. It's not THAT bad - except for maybe the water damage on the roof, the horrible carpet, the razor wire around the outside that you can see from your window seat... It's really not that bad, it's just not pretty. But the food is superb. None of us could really decide what to eat and with six people you may as well do their set menu options. I think that consisted of chicken and corn soup, spring rolls, beef and black bean sauce, lemon chicken, sweet and sour pork.... and a few other things I can't quite remember. I found the chicken and corn soup quite bland, I wasn't really into it. But my dad loved it - he went back for seconds. Can't have been too bland. I think I'm still slightly horrified from that scene in 'The Devil Wears Prada' where Stanley Tucci is telling Anne Hathway about the cellulite that's in the soup. Totes untrue, I'm sure, but... ugh. The rest of the meal was wonderful. I find that sweet and sour pork can be hit or miss. When it's miss, it's a really bad miss with chewy, fatty pieces of pork that no one wants to eat and you just end up eating the deep fried batter soaked in sauce. This was not the case. We're talking plump, juicy pieces of pork that melt in your mouth. You don't need to chew it 30 million times to make sure it goes down. Same for the beef in that dish. Beautiful pieces of meat, well marinated and definitely not tough. Vegetables crispy and flavoursome. If you're keen for some decent food and you're in the neighbourhood, I highly recommend coming here. Parking is not a problem as there's a parking lot out front, but just pay attention to the traffic direction signs... Just saying. Again, like with a lot of great little food places, the surroundings won't entice you... but you're a big kid, you can deal with it. Note, BYO only. Bottle stores all around Birkenhead though.

We came here for a Mother's Day family dinner with 7 adults and 1 child, expecting a nice evening…read moretogether. Unfortunately, it turned into one of the worst dining experiences we've had in Auckland. We arrived shortly after 6pm and placed our order. After waiting nearly an hour with no food at all, we asked multiple times where our meals were. Staff repeatedly told us "it's coming soon" and "they are making it now." During the wait, we were told: - the beef chow mein had no beef available and needed to be changed to chicken chow mein - the fish fillet vegetable dish was "too complicated" and suggested to be cancelled We agreed politely. Then things became even more confusing: - they brought us a dish we never ordered - shortly after, the exact fish dish they claimed they could not make suddenly arrived - the "unavailable" beef chow mein also suddenly appeared The entire service felt disorganised and chaotic. The biggest issue, however, was the food safety concern. Several dishes appeared undercooked: - the fish fillets were extremely soft and partially raw inside - the prawns inside the prawn balls were still translucent/raw - the beef inside the fried rice was still red/raw in the middle We brought the food to the front desk and showed the owner/manager directly. Instead of apologising, she insisted the food was "fully cooked." There was no genuine apology or concern shown throughout the entire experience. By this point it was already close to 8:30pm -- we had been there for almost 2.5 hours. At around 7pm+, when the first dish finally arrived, we were already so hungry that we had to cut and eat our Mother's Day cake early just to have something in our stomachs while waiting for the rest of the food. Another concerning moment was when I tried to take a photo of the raw prawn ball for evidence. A waitress immediately rushed over and removed the dish before I could finish taking the photo, telling me that I was "not allowed" to photograph it. I still managed to take photos of: - the raw/red beef - partially uncooked fish fillets It honestly looked like frozen ingredients had not been fully defrosted before cooking. The restaurant was not even full, and multiple tables that arrived after us had already finished and left while we were still waiting for food. After returning home, nobody was even properly full. We ended up stopping at McDonald's on the way back just to buy burgers because after waiting for hours, we still barely had enough to eat. My partner later experienced mild food poisoning symptoms including vomiting and diarrhoea. We have already submitted a food hygiene complaint to Auckland Council regarding the undercooked seafood and meat. Despite all of this, there was still no proper apology, no accountability, and no meaningful compensation offered. We paid $161 cash for an extremely stressful and disappointing Mother's Day dinner. Would not return.