There's only one thing better than a dumpling and that's a plate of them, along with a generous portion of chilli crisp for dipping. From punchy, warming heat to the exquisite contrast of sweet and sour, salt and freshness, whether you're in the mood for crispy snacks and a cold beer, you're keen to slurp back a steaming bowl of noodles, or you're poised to lose yourself in a yum cha feast fit for royalty, we've whipped you up the Urban List edit of all the Chinese restaurants you ought to hit.
Here are Auckland's best Chinese restaurants.
XièXiè Ponsonby
130 Ponsonby Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland
Image credit: XièXiè Ponsonby | Instagram
Meaning 'thanks' in Mandarin, XièXiè is a contemporary Chinese restaurant where exceptional eats are served with immaculate vibes. Don’t look past the slow-cooked eggplant stuffed with spiced pork mince and honey to start that pairs perfectly with the beer-battered Asian mushrooms—to dip or not to dip, that is the question.
Dumplings are mandatory—sorry we don’t make the rules—especially where truffle pork with oyster mushroom dumplings are concerned. You're going to want to eat everything and, fortunately, that's exactly what you can do, platter-style, at their Bottomless Brunch offering every weekend. Praise be.
Mr Hao 蚝蚝先生
365 Dominion Road, Mt Eden
Image credit: Mr Hao | Facebook
Sink your teeth into Mr Hao—a modern Chinese eatery nestled into the heart of Dominion Road. As a Chinese skewer bar, the aim of the game at Mr Hao’s is to eat BBQ skewers and wash them down with a cold beer. Taking inspiration from the late-night dining scene in China called shaokao, Mr Hao aims to be a place for those looking to socialise late into the night over a few brewskies and some after-dinner bites.
With a menu that’s certainly not going to break the bank—a ribeye beef skewer is just $3 and lamb skewers are only $2—don’t shy away from ordering heaps, trust us after one bite you’ll be pining for more. As Mr Haos is located in dumpling haven (Dominion Road) we think it’s only fair to comment on the juicy little morsels and let’s just say the dumpling game here is strong. Oh, and did we mention they have cocktails on tap—pull up a pew and Mr Peachy and Mrs Lychee will be your new best friend.
Ghost Street
27 Galway Street, Britomart, Auckland CBD
Image credit: Ghost Street | Facebook
The team behind much-loved Asian-inspired eateries Cafe Hanoi, Saan and Perch have done it again but this time they’re taking us on a trip to China to visit the western cities of Chengdu and Xi'an. Prepare your taste buds because they’re in for one hell of a ride.
The menu has been carefully crafted by Executive Chef Nathan Houpapa and Head Chef Khai Yee Khor following a research trip throughout China. Inspired by the hole-in-the-wall eateries that run along Beijing’s famous ‘Ghost Street’, which is known for its delicious street food and hot pot.
Ghost Street offers an underground dining experience like no other. The space, (which is 130 years old) is equally as intrinsic as the food, with its moody lighting, exposed brick, black cement tiles, and recycled timber tables, oh and don’t forget to check out the Chinese ghost stories painted on the walls.
Wang Wang Spring Pancake
704 Dominion Road, Mount Eden, Auckland
Hidden along the gastronomic highway that is Dominion Road, Wang Wang Spring Pancake is the epitome of cheap and cheerful. These guys are slinging delicious, delightfully thin Chinese pancakes you can fill with whatever meat, vegetables and other goodies your heart desires (making it easy to navigate if you've got dietaries), while their dumplings also come highly recommended.
Sum Made 心美
11 Davies Drive, Albany, Auckland
Image credit: Sum Made | Instagram
If you're looking for a buzzing spot for lunch and dinner in Albany, look no further than Sum Made. Lunchtime's all about yum cha and it's a total showstopper with all the classics—steamed dumplings, BBQ pork buns and salt and pepper squid—plus more contemporary fare like crispy red rice and fresh shrimp rolls.
Other standouts include the adorable fish-shaped Sea Treasure Steamed Dumplings, Sum Made's delightfully jiggly Energy Shot coffee pudding, and a swan-shaped durian-filled pastry that you simply must try.
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New Flavour Restaurant 新源风味食府
537 Dominion Road, Mount Eden, Auckland
Image credit: New Flavour | Instagram
Next time you're struck with a dumpling craving at 1am, make a beeline for New Flavour Restaurant. One of the most iconic dumpling houses on Dominion Road (and in Tāmaki), you'll get your fix of Chinese-style pancakes, noodles, rice and, of course, dumplings. Their seemingly endless menu promises dumplings by the plateful (about 20 succulent morsels) for less than a $20 making it not only one of the best Chinese restaurants in Auckland, but also one of the cheapest.
Impression Restaurant 印象
395 Mount Eden Road, Mount Eden, Auckland
Image credit: Impression Restaurant | Wono Kim
Watch out Mount Eden, there's a new Chinese restaurant in town. Perched on the corner of Mount Eden Road and Valley Road, Impression melds Chinese design with modern flair in its decor, but its cuisine is anything but Asian fusion.
From fiery Sichuan heat to the delicately balanced flavours of Northern cuisine, Impression showcases the best of what traditional Chinese cuisine has to offer. Whether savouring moreish bites of Crispy Fried Oyster Mushroom or peppery and tangy Hot and Sour Soup, this restaurant is sure to leave a lasting mark on your palate.
The Nightcar
44 Queen Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland
Image credit: The Nightcar | Wono Kim
The Nightcar is the answer to Aucklanders' prayers: generous late-night opening hours, stackable portions, exquisite Chinese cuisine, a champagne trolley, and a wine and cocktail list as meticulously crafted as its sleek interior. Oh, and nestled away from plain sight in the heart of the city.
Noodle hankerings are covered—chicly—with small cold and noodle dishes that are encouraged to pair, or top with their smaller plates. Chomp away on thick sweet and savoury noodles or gooey and savoury Gan Lao Mian, heavenly duck spring roll cups, and vegetable dishes that are far from boring.
And for the final touch? Everything, from cocktails and wines to sweet and savoury are listed in order of gentle to punchy flavours—the lifehack we didn't know we needed.
Eden Noodles
105 Dominion Road, Mount Eden, Auckland | Shop 3/18-26 Wellesley Street East, Auckland CBD | 424 Khyber Pass Road, Newmarket, Auckland | Commercial Bay, Level 2/7 Queen Street, Auckland CBD | The Eatery At Eastridge, 215 Kepa Road, Mission Bay, Auckland
Image credit: Eden Noodles | Facebook
Eden Noodles is the go-to cheap eats hub when it comes to spicy dumplings (from $7) and dan dan noodles (about $15). Limited capacity increases the odds of you having to wait in line to get your Sichuan fix but patience is key, my friend—these bowls of slurpy goodness has earned a reputation for being the best noodles in Auckland. A word of warning: Eden Noodles spice scale packs a punch—you’ve got to be able to handle the heat.
Spicy Potato Noodles
251 Dominion Road, Mount Eden, Auckland
Drop into Spicy Potato Noodles for a hot bowl of soup packed with seaweed, tofu slices or meat, pakchoi and quail eggs. This iconic Chinese street food dish features a whopping portion of delightfully chewy potato noodles and will set you back around about $15 although this is likely to feed you twice (serving leftover realness, yo) or be happily split between two hungry bellies.
The Blue Breeze Inn
146 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland
Image credit: The Blue Breeze Inn | Facebook
Give us a plate of pork buns, and we’re happy campers. Give us a plate of Blue Breeze Inn pork buns, and we’ll demolish them within seconds—they’re that frickin’ tasty. Specialising in Pacific Chinese, the team here are slingin' modern Chinese cuisine using fresh Pacific produce, the staff even rock around in kitschy Hawaiian shirts.
Their Pacific element shine especially strongly in their cocktail list where you'll find the likes of pineapple, lime, and triple sec blends, and a 'Zombie Pacifica' spiked with three types of rum. In the mood for duck? They do a special Duck menu on Sundays.
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Main image credit: XièXiè Ponsonby | Facebook.
Urban List Best Of: has our highest stamp of approval—curated lists of the very best recommendations for you to eat, do, see, buy or book, carefully chosen by our Editors.