Have a hankering for hand-pulled noodles? Craving juicy dumplings? Here in Auckland, a world-class Chinese food scene awaits to satisfy any and all cravings. Spanning a vast range of sub-cuisines, these eateries offer a delicious portal to a plethora of China’s regions and the delicious dishes that distinguish them. From hidden gems to beloved haunts, these are the best Chinese eateries in Auckland — in no particular order.
Grand Harbour
Location: Viaduct Harbour, Auckland CBD
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When it comes to Auckland’s yum cha scene, Viaduct Harbour’s Grand Harbour is an institution that has been a firm favourite among our Chinese community for two decades. It has cultivated a loyal following of customers and a strong reputation for being home to some of the best dim sums in town, with over 80 different varieties to choose from. For more delicious yum cha inspiration, discover our definitive guide to the best in town.
Wang Wang Spring Pancake
Location: Dominion Road, Mount Eden
This place is one of Dominion Road’s hidden gems and one that hasn’t failed us yet. Wang Wang Spring Pancake specialises in pancake wraps, similar to the ones used for Peking duck. But here, diners are given the freedom to order whatever meats and vegetables they want to fill their pancakes with. We recommend the cumin lamb and shredded potato as well as the chicken and corn dumplings.
Empress Garden Chinese Restaurant
Location: Jervois Road, Herne Bay
Since we’re on the topic of Peking duck, we couldn’t forget to mention Empress Garden. There’s no place that serves this delicacy quite like the Herne Bay favourite, starting from the heavenly crispy skin to the succulent, rich and fatty duck meat. The Yeung Chow fried rice is another Empress Garden staple that sees a medley of pork and shrimp woven into a bed of deliciously fluffy rice.
Ghost Street
Location: Britomart, Auckland CBD
From the clever team behind Cafe Hanoi, located in the old 1885 Basement, Ghost Street has fast become a firm favourite for its menu of rustic, seasonal Chinese dishes from throughout the country, with a particular emphasis on those from the western cities of Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan, and Xi’an. Following Krishna Botica and Tony McGeorge’s formula of combining Asian cuisine with a Western-style beverage offering, Ghost Street is an elevated yet approachable eatery that we can’t get enough of.
Xi’An Food Bar
Locations: Auckland CBD, Rosedale, Northcote, Balmoral, Howick and Panmure
You have hand-pulled noodles and then you have Xi’An Food Bar’s hand-pulled noodles. Boasting a texture that’s chewier and bouncier than any other noodles we have ever come across, Xi’An is our go-to spot when we’re craving a bowl of comfort. The hand-pulled noodles with Xi-An style braised pork, otherwise known as the number 37, sees saucy, spicy pork alongside thick noodles, a match made in heaven.
GoGo Music Cafe
Location: Dominion Road, Mount Eden
Renowned for its spicy chicken casserole (Xinjiang Style Chicken) with hand-pulled noodles, served as a portion size that is large enough to feed a village, GoGo Music Cafe makes for a perfect dinner spot for a large group. Not to mention, the skewers go down an absolute treat with a bottle of refreshing Tsingtao beer.
Huami
Location: SkyCity, Auckland CBD
The brainchild of well-known chef Nic Watt, Huami is SkyCity’s sophisticated Chinese restaurant that bridges the traditional and the modern. Go with the family for one of the best yum cha offerings in town, or take advantage of Huami’s a la carte menu for lunch or dinner.
Shaolin Kung Fu Noodle House
Locations: Auckland CBD, Mt Eden, Albany and Somerville
Although Shaolin Kung Fu gained its popularity for its noodles and dumplings which are undoubtedly delicious, it’s the sautéed eggplant in spicy garlic that has us returning time and time again. The eggplant is so tender that it melts in the mouth and is glazed in a delectable sticky sauce that boasts rich notes of garlic and a subtle sweetness that tastes even better when mixed into a bowl of fluffy steamed rice.
Pearl Garden
Location: Teed Street, Newmarket
With 45 years of experience up their sleeve, Newmarket stalwart Pearl Garden never fails to deliver the goods. While you can count on the prawn toast, prawn and chive dumplings and steamed pork buns to satisfy your savoury cravings, it’s the golden custard buns that have been crowned Pearl Garden’s must-try dish. Gooey yet not overly sweet, the custard filling is sure to have you coming back for more.
Tianze Dumpling House
Location: Sandringham Road, Sandringham
Tucked in a small pocket of shops at the far end of Sandringham Road, Tianze might be no-frills but we come back time and time again for its food. Go with a group, so you can try the mapo tofu, green beans (both available vegetarian on request), fried dumplings, cucumber salad, and crispy fried chicken in hot chilli sauce. Another favourite if you’re feeling more adventurous is the jellyfish and Chinese cabbage salad — a deliciously cooling and vinegary contrast to any hotter, saltier dishes.
Basu Lounge
Location: Lake Road, Takapuna
Taking dan dan noodles to brand new heights is the North Shore’s Basu Lounge. What makes Basu’s dan dan noodles so special is the inclusion of thick and creamy peanut sauce which mixes into the chilli and lends a harmonious balance to the spice. Dumplings are also a speciality of Basu’s.
Canton Cafe
Location: New North Road, Kingsland
You can’t call yourself an Aucklander if you haven’t been to a BYO at Kingsland’s Canton Cafe. The ambience is fun and lively and most importantly, the food is on point. Showcasing a huge variety of meat, seafood, vegetables, rice and noodles, there’s something for everyone at Canton, but make sure to order the iconic black chilli prawns.
Eden Noodles
Locations: Commercial Bay, Mt Eden, Newmarket, Albany, Henderson and Eastridge
With outposts in Commercial Bay and at the city end of Dominion Road, Eden Noddles is the definition of an institution and a stalwart of Auckland’s dining scene. The 2022 Hospo Heroes winner of the Cheap & Cheerful category is a household name across Auckland, adored by those who appreciate the authentic art of hand-pulled noodles and the crafting of their famous and undeniably delectable dumplings. If you are yet to try the wonder of Eden Noodles, consider this a sign to do so now.
Sunny Town
Location: Queen Street, Central Auckland
Home to the sauciest, most scrumptious BBQ pork bun in the city, Sunny Town could not go unmentioned in this list. You can see the chefs kneading and rolling the dough for the buns and their efforts sure do translate in flavour. Steamed only seconds before arriving at your table, although it’s hard to refrain, we suggest you take it slow to avoid any mouth burns from the juicy pork filling.
Spicy House
Location: Dominion Road, Mount Eden
The boneless chilli chicken from Spicy House is arguably the most addictive dish on our dining scene. The lightly battered pieces of tender chicken are seasoned with a special mixture of different spices, as well as a light touch of sugar that makes the palate dance from sweet and savoury and keeps you going back for more.
White + Wongs
Locations: Viaduct Harbour and Newmarket
Serving an epic fusion of Western and Asian cuisine, White + Wongs is renowned for its Chinese roast duck and selection of baos and dumplings, becoming a quick favourite of Aucklanders as well as garnering a strong South Island following for its Queenstown outpost. With two Auckland locations — one in Newmarket’s Westfield dining precinct and one in Viaduct Harbour, this institution never fails to deliver on flavour, and has all of the bases covered for a family-friendly meal.
Bamboo Kitchen
Location: Saint Johns Road, St Johns
Bamboo Kitchen is the creation of Norman Ah Num and his family who had always dreamed of being able to serve freshly crafted ‘Kiwi’ Chinese food to the surrounding community. With 40 years’ experience in cooking, and a menu made up largely of ‘mum’s’ recipes, Bamboo Kitchen serves up some of the best Chinese in town. Alongside the classics, you’ll find a fusion of Asian cuisines on offer — from Malaysian to Thai and Indonesian, all of which are delicious, but it’s the foo yoong, traditional chow mein, and sweet and sour pork that we can’t go past.
The Blue Breeze Inn
Location: Ponsonby Central, Ponsonby
Modern Chinese with an Island Breeze is what you’ll find at Ponsonby Central institution, The Blue Breeze Inn. Known for their exceptional dumplings, exceptional baos, and traditional Peking duck, here, you’ll find an elevated, modern take on the Chinese food we all know and love, served alongside some of the best drinks in town.
Barilla Dumpling
Locations: Mount Eden and Milford
Another Auckland institution when it comes to delicious, entirely satisfying Chinese fare, Barilla Dumpling serves up some of the juiciest, most moreish dumplings in town, alongside a comprehensive menu of traditional and inventive dishes that are sure to satisfy your Chinese cravings. From wonton soup to delicious shao-mai, sizzling black pepper beef, fried noodles and more, Barilla ticks all of the boxes and more, making a strong case for branching out from your go-to.
Biang Biang
Location: Auckland CBD and Mount Wellington
Biang Biang noodles are a Northwestern Chinese specialty, hailing from Shaanxi Province. The Xi’an province is known for its particular food preparation style which sees simple ingredients prepared in elaborate ways, creating interesting and novel flavour combinations and dishes. At Biang Biang’s two outposts (one on Queen Street, one in Mount Wellington), you’ll find flavourful, hand-pulled noodles in all manner of variations, served alongside hot and sour soups, specialty dumplings, and ‘rougamo’ — a pasty stuffed with spiced meats and vegetables.
Guangzhou Hotpot
Locations: Auckland CBD and Newmarket
Offering a novel dining experience, Guangzhou Hotpot invites guests to embrace the Cantonese hot pot style of eating and prepare their own meal at the table in a simmering pot of soup. In this shared eating experience, you’ll cook raw ingredients like meat, seafood, and vegetables in a boiling broth at the centre of the table, with the option to customise the broth and accompanying sauces to your particular tastes.
Impression Restaurant
Location: Mount Eden Road, Mount Eden
Showcasing the rich tapestry of regional Chinese flavours, from the fiery spices of Sichuan to the delicate subtleties of Northern cuisine, each dish at this Mount Eden go-to is crafted with passion, using only the finest and freshest ingredients — offering a modern take on traditional Chinese fare in a setting that blends X.
