The best dishes in Auckland are often a combination of influences from Western and Maori cultures. Being New Zealand’s largest and most cosmopolitan city, Auckland has a wide range of food scattered across the city, with fast food being the most seeked option among the locals of downtown Auckland. So what are some of the best few foods among the variety of choices available? Here is a list of the top 7 foods in Auckland that you just can’t afford to miss!
Hangi
Hangi is a traditional Maori dish for travellers to savour the real taste of New Zealand culinary tradition. What was once a common cooking method used by the Maori for thousands of years, it is still used today during special occasions. The process of preparing hangi involves slow-cooking the meat and vegetables for several hours in an underground oven filled with red-hot stones, which heats up the food. The meat used are usually lamb, chicken and beef, while vegetables consist of carrots, kumara and potatoes. Hangi is known by some as an “earth oven.” These days, Hangi still plays a vital role in New Zealand’s traditional celebrations. If you are in Auckland, patronize The Hangi Shop, which specializes in that particular dish.
Fish And Chips
Fish and chips is a popular takeaway item that has become so ingrained in the local food culture that it had to be included in the list of must-try food. Fish and chips is an English dish that became a classic meal in New Zealand after it was introduced by the British colonists who settled there. In New Zealand, fish and chips recipes use hoki, shark, bluefin gurnard, blue cod and tarakihi. When choosing sides to complement the dish, you can order a serving of squid rings and scallops, or perhaps a can of cold beer.
Whitebait
Whitebaits are immature fishes that are only a couple of inches long which can be found on the West Coast of the South Island where the largest volume of whitebait are. A must-try meal made from whitebait is whitebait fritters, which is an omelette dish with whitebait, eggs, butter, salt, pepper and lemon juice. Food traditionalists prefer egg whites with whitebait since strong flavours can overwhelm the light, delicate flavour of whitebait. Whitebait fishing in New Zealand is a seasonal activity with a legally fixed and limited period, thus making it a delicacy that fetches a high price.
Meat Pie
New Zealand meat pie is a hand-sized pie with diced or minced meat and gravy, as well as savoury vegetables and cheese. New Zealand’s pies are puff-pastry pockets of piping-hot savory fillings but it is also hearty enough to be consumed as a meal for lunch. Available at every bakery, convenience store, petrol station and most cafés in Auckland, you can usually find them with classic fillings: mince (ground beef) and cheese, steak and cheese or chicken and potato. Immigrant communities have also added their own spins to include flavors like butter chicken, Thai red curry and more. The next time when you are zooming from place to place in a hurry, try grabbing a meat pie to eat on the go!
Lolly Cake
The lolly cake is a traditional New Zealand sweet cake that can be found in most restaurants and supermarkets. A popular dessert among the locals, the lolly cake is prepared by adding lollies or fruit puffs to a base mixture of crushed malt biscuits, colorful marshmallows, along with melted butter and sweetened condensed milk. Lolly cake is a local staple at festive events like birthdays and similar celebrations. Overall in New Zealand, when you think of a food that kids will adore, it is none other than lolly cake.
Pavlova
Pavlova is a meringue dessert with a crispy, crunchy outer crust and a soft, fluffy marshmallow-like center. Made of egg whites and caster sugar, it is typically topped with whipped cream and fresh fruits. Despite being a popular food item during the Christmas season and other summer festivals, Pavlovas are still widely available all year round. During summer, Pavlova is paired with fresh fruit for a refreshing treat.
