Auckland, NZL
Hello Beasty is a New Zealand modern-fusion restaurant in the Viaduct Harbor area of downtown Auckland. It’s within walking distance to the water, ferries, shops, and many hotels, making it easily accessible if you are staying in or visiting the area!
After a lot of searching for restaurants to try during my stay in Auckland, Hello Beasty landed firmly at the top for both me and my partner. The menu boasts a range of Asian inspired dishes with a New Zealand twist, from starters like Sichuan tuna tartare to larger plates like grilled mung bean and char siu pork belly pancake.
It was difficult to decide what to order from their mouth watering options, but after much negotiation with my partner, we agreed on an array of dishes to try over the two visits we ended up making.
Snack + Potstickers and Buns
First from the Snack menu came the market oyster – my partner reports it was the best he’s ever had – with pickled fennel and yuzu kosho, and delicately fried shrimp that had a luscious texture.
From their Potstickers and Buns menu we tried the miso-braised brisket gua bao, which was our least favorite of all the items but still an excellent bun by any standard.
Big plates + Hibachi
Skipping the small plates and diving right into bigger plates, the slow cooked coastal lamb shoulder was a balanced, mildly spicy, delicate protein dish with drinkable sauce, and the mung bean and char siu pancake had the right ratio of veggies, sauce, and meat.
The Hibachi section provided me with my top pick – the korean bbq chicken. It resulted in a full day of me convincing my partner to go back versus trying another restaurant before we left Auckland, and I still get cravings for it. Spicy, savory, slightly tangy and not over-sauced was this perfectly cooked chicken skewer. On top of their steamed Japanese rice, it was the perfect simple bite.
Extras + Dessert
From the Extras section we had the crispy-fried brussel sprouts, smothered in sauce, with that amazing crispy yet melt in your mouth texture that you want out of a fried brussel.
Last up was Dessert, and the Kkwabaegi was the second all star. A twisted donut with miso caramel and fudge sauce, it was salty, sweet, and velvety, a delicious end to our dinner.
Tasty Tips: If you want to ensure a seat, make a reservation, they fill up fast! Also, ask your server which drinks they recommended with your meal. They have a great selection of fun cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages to choose from!
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