Seeking Kiwi-Asian Cuisines





Thai cuisine is very popular in New Zealand and can be super spicy. Restaurants' menus tend to be  quite small. Simply a range of starters and stir-fry dishes are offered. I cannot find any Thai desserts or vegetables. The dishes are prepared with local ingredients and are tailored to the strong Kiwi palate.

I found Malaysian satay at a fast food joint. The choice of dishes is simple and is what I was looking for in Asian food. 

The Korean offerings seem more authentic. My friend and I visited a family-run restaurant in the Asian area of Christchurch. I love the starters these restaurants serve with lots of vegetables. The Korean stone pot rice bowl was hot and yummy, the rice could be a bit crispier from the heat. The beef stew tasted fantastic. 

Most Chinese restaurants serve a mix of Sichuan, Guangdong, and Shanghai dishes. Some combine them with Western dishes to appeal to less adventurous customers. I am a bit confused by the fried noodles, which are not the typical thick Shanghai noodles. The HK-style egg tarts are tasty but should be called Portuguese egg tarts.

I love the fact that many Kiwis love rice. Although lunch can be quite boring with the choice of sandwiches and salads most days, you can explore some other options if your office is downtown. If you live abroad, be sure to pick up some cooking skills. Then you can always enjoy more ethnic food. 




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