Taste test: We try Paradise Fusion Pizza, the new venture from Auckland’s most popular Indian eatery

As you may have noticed, we have our ear firmly attached to the ground when it comes to whispers of new openings, new collaborations and events we think that you, dear reader, might like to know about. So, when we heard one of our favourite cheap and cheerful Indian spots in Auckland was branching out into fusion pizzas, needless to say we were intrigued.

Paradise Indian Restaurant has ruled the Sandringham strip for over a decade, with both the dine-in and takeaway arms of the business heaving with diners who can’t get enough of Paradise’s richly flavourful curries, biryanis and other delicious Indian dishes.

Its new Paradise Fusion Pizza Restaurant has recently appeared at 586 Sandringham Road, and the offering is just what it sounds like: pizzas topped with Indian-style toppings like Butter Chicken, Paneer and more. 

If this unseemly mash-up of Italian and Indian cuisine has you feeling a tad trepidatious, we understand — however, if we’d try an Indian-style pizza from anyone, it’d be Paradise.

We ordered three flavours, all in the name of research of course: Butter Chicken, Dragon Chicken, and Tandoori Paneer. There are several flavours, some of which we’re not 100 percent sure about like the (Middle Eastern-inspired?) Lamb Shawarma, and Charcoal Chicken which comprises BBQ chicken, vegetables and pineapple, so we decided to play it safe with slightly more familiar-sounding flavours.

While wholesome sourdough may be the base du jour for more upmarket eateries that have pizza on their menus, don’t expect the same at Paradise. These bready, doughy bases are more akin to classic fast food pizza joints (we don’t think it’s necessary to name them) and while sourdough might be trendy, sometimes a humble, doughy pizza hits the spot.

The Butter Chicken was less creamy than we were expecting, more like a tomato and chicken pizza with cheese and onion, plus some mild spices. The Dragon Chicken pizza promised to bring the heat, however, we found it was more of a slight lingering kick — this did add a nice dimension to the topping which, with its slices of round black olives, was slightly reminiscent of nostalgic childhood pizza bites. The Tandoori Paneer pizza had the most recognisably Indian flavour profile, a delightfully greedy vegetarian takeaway option.

All-in-all, we can say Paradise Fusion Pizza Restaurant is destined to fill the gap for those craving a decadent and unconventional takeaway option — Paradise, if you’re reading this, our next request is for a Naan-based pizza.

Paradise Fusion Pizza Restaurant
Pick-up only at 586 Sandringham Road

www.ordermeal.co.nz/paradise-fusion-pizza/

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The only vessel you should be drinking the country’s finest red wine from

Winter’s arrival means many things, but for wine enthusiasts, it signals the start of red wine season, as lighter varietals are cast aside in favour of a full-bodied Central Otago pinot noir. And considering that here at Denizen we definitely consider ourselves wine enthusiasts, it was music to our ears when we heard that The Studio of Tableware was set to welcome a very special glass back onto its shelves, designed specifically to maximise our enjoyment of a classic Central Otago Pinot.

Lauded glassware brand Riedel first launched its Central Otago Pinot Noir glass six years ago. It was created in collaboration with the Central Otago Winemakers Association as a vessel that would work specifically with Central Otago and wider New Zealand Pinot Noirs to highlight the wines’ unique characteristics. Upon its release, the glass was widely touted as the “perfect” design for the drop, allowing those drinking from it to experience the meticulously-balanced flavour of a Central Otago Pinot Noir, exactly as it was made.

Now, after production of the original stopped a few years ago, Riedel is reintroducing this incredibly popular style in an even more appealing iteration. Seeing the fine, machine-blown crystal glass perched on an elegant Riedel Veritas stem, the Central Otago Pinot Noir glass is back and better than ever, arriving just in time for our red wine obsession to get into full swing (and we couldn’t be happier about it).

If, like us, you are desperate to get your hands on some, The Studio of Tableware can provide them from the very first delivery just landed in New Zealand, so you can pick up a pair (or six) right now.

Celebrating the glass’ arrival, The Studio of Tableware is also offering a special, gift-boxed pair for $99 (instead of the usual $130), while in a similar vein, we have decided to mark the return of this stellar vessel by giving two lucky Denizens the chance to win a set of six each. (See below for more details.)

So this season, don’t do your Pinot Noir a disservice by settling for any old glass. Opt for one of these striking, purpose-made iterations, for a wine-tasting experience you’re unlikely to forget.

To celebrate the return of this covetable vessel, we’re giving away a set of six Riedel Central Otago Pinot Noir glasses to two lucky Denizens.

This competition is now closed.

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Illustrator Carly Black on cryptocurrency, natural wine and pickles

Multi-hyphenate Carly Black is based in Auckland where, by day, she works as an Account Manager for Coffee Supreme looking after around 70 cafes in the Coromandel, Northland and Auckland. She also spends “every spare minute” doing freelance illustration or graphic design work — mostly for independent, owner-operated hospitality businesses or winemakers. You probably recognise her charming illustrations from the signage of K’ Rd pasta favourite Pici, or maybe you’ve seen her cheerful, keep-cup-toting sandwich on the Ol’ Mate food truck.

Here, Black gives us an insight into her tastes, including her favourite places to eat, some great podcast recommendations and more.

What I do for a job described in one sentence: Account manager for Coffee Supreme by day, freelance graphic designer and illustrator by night.

My personal style can be defined by: Someone recently described my style as normcore. Generally I aspire to look like a piece of moss. Lots of greens, and mustards, browns and textured pieces. I also can’t seem to walk past a piece of corduroy without buying it.

The last thing I bought and loved was: A set of Temuka salt and pepper shakers from David N White Gallery in Wellington.

An unforgettable place I visited was: I did a camping road trip around the East Cape this summer with the dog. I loved it. I saw Te Waha o Rerekohu in Te Araroa — the oldest Pohutukawa in New Zealand — she’s six hundred years old.

The next place I’d like to go to: I’d love to do a South Island trip this winter. Maybe the Inland Pack Track on the West Coast. I think Kaiser [Black’s two-year-old whippet] would appreciate being left at home under the heat pump for that one.

Clockwise from top left: Carly Black illustration; Coffee Supreme mug; Plastic Bouquet album; Natural wine with label designed by Carly; Niki de Saint Sculpture.

The design (building, person, item) that inspires me is: My first reference is and always will be Niki de Saint Phalle. She was introduced to me by my German mother — three of her sculptures are in my home town of Hanover, in Northwestern Germany. I love naïve art in general. It’s nostalgic and joyous. Most of my illustrations look like someone’s doodled on the page in math class, and I love that quality of it.

My favourite app is: I’ve gotten into cryptocurrency quite recently, the last six months, so I do find myself glued to my wallet app, Exodus.

My guilty pleasure is: A really great bottle of natural wine paired with something deep fried.

My secret talent is: Looking like an extrovert when I’m the biggest introvert you’ll ever meet.

My morning routine is: Wake up, feed my dog Kaiser, share a cup of Coffee Supreme™ with my neighbour Hazel, who is also conveniently the owner of Fur & Forest, a dog pack-walking company. Very quickly get ready for work and then head to one of the cafes I look after for a catch up and another cuppa.

In my fridge you’ll always find: Jars and jars of pickled things, brined things, chutneys, anything to reduce my food waste.

My favourite room in my house is: My living room is south-west facing, so I get the dreamiest golden hour and sunsets. Ponsonby always gets the best sunsets.

The last meal out I had that truly impressed me was: This is such a difficult question. Like Gogo Music Cafe on Dominion Road is it for me. Spicy chili and cumin covered meat skewers, and giant wheat noodles with chicken curry never ceases to impress me. Close runners up are Pici and Ockhee.

The podcasts I listen to are: Oh man I always get embarrassed by my podcast choices. This American Life, Philosophize This!, CBC’s Missing & Murdered is a really good introspective podcast series on indigenous women who’ve gone missing.

The last music I downloaded was:Plastic Bouquet‘ by Marlon Williams with Kacy & Clayton.

If I wasn’t doing what I am, I would be: Off grid on some self-sustainable land somewhere south.

I have a collection of: Coffee mugs. So so many coffee mugs.

My favourite way to unwind is: Heading off into Riverhead Forest with Kaiser for a couple hours. There’s no reception or internet coverage, bonus.

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Amisfield’s Wine Club subscription service comes brimming with exciting perks

A well-stocked cellar is (we think) one of life’s great pleasures, and an Amisfield subscription service is ensuring you’ll never be left wanting when the occasion arises to source a bottle of exceptional wine from within the comfort of your own home. 

The acclaimed Amisfield Bistro & Cellar Door boasts one of the largest, single-estate vineyards in Central Otago, and Amisfield Wine Club is dedicated to offering wine connoisseurs, gastronomes and casual enthusiasts alike the opportunity to access a superior cellar offering with a large number of perks.

With no joining fee — just a commitment to purchasing two cases of 12 bottles per year — Amisfield Wine Club is a truly accessible way to sample the vineyard’s exquisite vintages. Members of the Amisfield Wine Club receive discounts on all Amisfield wines and at the restaurant itself, plus a personal allocation of new-release wines, access to exclusive pre-releases and select cellar and limited edition wines. 

You can expect invitations to Amisfield events and a highlight is one complimentary wine masterclass per year for you and three guests — an in-depth, educational and informative wine tasting session, with an overview of the history of Amisfield Estate and the Central Otago region. 

In further exciting news, 2021 is Amisfield’s first vintage from which all of the grapes (and subsequent wines) will be certified as organic, by BioGro New Zealand. The culmination of a five-year process, full organic status is no mean feat, and Amisfield’s organic conversion is part of a multitude of ongoing sustainability initiatives at Amisfield. The conversion has resulted in soil health and biodiversity improvements, plus greater differentiation of flavour profile from block to block as the vines are able to assert their own unique personality into each exquisite wine.  

That being said, there’s never a better time to join Amisfield’s wine club, and with complimentary freight available for every subscription delivery in New Zealand and Australia, it’s a brilliant way to treat yourself — or another lucky recipient.

You must be 18 years or older to subscribe to this service.

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Ecostore leads the sustainable charge once again with this genius product

Once again taking the lead in the bid to reduce plastic waste and offer cleaner, safer products for the home and body, Ecostore has just launched its new Cleaner Concentrates — and they’re genius.

Packed in tiny glass bottles with recyclable lids (creating 90 percent less plastic waste), the formulas are 10-times concentrated and are designed to be combined with tap water in reusable spray bottles. When mixed with water, they boast the exact same cleaning power as Ecostore’s regular 500ml spray cleaners.

“Every time our customer uses the new ecostore refill concentrate bottle, they use 90 percent less plastic waste because each spray head lasts for 24 refills,” says Ecostore group CEO Pablo Kraus. “This can make a 1.46kg of plastic saving and we can divert 6,450kgs of plastic waste from landfills each year.”

There are currently three variations of Cleaner Concentrate available, all made from plant-based ingredients and enabling the user to tackle different areas of the house with ease. 

The Multi-Purpose Cleaner Refill Concentrate is an effective antibacterial cleaner that makes cleaning oil, food, dust and dirt a breeze. It can be used on hard household surfaces, bench tops, appliances and walls — while the Glass Cleaner Refill Concentrate is perfect for leaving a streak-free finish on windows, mirrors and glass surfaces.

The Bathroom and Shower Refill Concentrate cuts easily through dirt, soap scum and hard water spots using citric acid — a safer alternative to Benzalkonium Chloride that is proven to kill common household germs and bacteria. 

The release of these new products couldn’t have come at a better time, with World Environment Day on Saturday 5th of June prompts us to once again be reminded that we have a long way to go in terms of reducing our plastic footprint. But by embracing this inspiring new initiative from Ecostore we can play a small part in the wider cause.

When it comes to individual progress, an accumulation of small actions carried out consistently everyday makes a difference, and with Ecostore’s Cleaner Concentrates, you can be sure that you can keep both your home and your conscience spick and span.

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Claudia Li FALL WINTER 21 BIG BOW SHIRT IN WHITE.

Meet Claudia Li, the New Zealand-raised fashion designer who counts Michelle Obama and Bella Hadid among her fans

For Claudia Li, creativity has always been effortless. The Auckland and New York-based fashion designer grew up with a legacy of artists on her mother’s side and an art dealer father, from whom the urge to craft was intrinsically nurtured from a young age.

“Creativity wasn’t something they taught me,” she says, “it was baked into the way they lived, and it was normal.” This extended to a love of fashion, and when it came time for Li to study, fashion design seemed like a natural next step. Now, Li is one of the industry’s most exciting independent designers with a host of accolades and experience already under her belt.

Claudia Li.

Raised between New Zealand and Singapore, Li moved to London, aged 19 to study at Central Saint Martins and was then recommended to the Parsons MFA programme which prompted a move to New York. “That was one of the best career-defining decisions I have ever made,” she says.

What followed were stints on the design teams for Brandon Maxwell’s Haus of Gaga label and at JW Anderson, and in 2015, Li debuted the first collection under her own, eponymous label at New York Fashion Week.

Claudia Li Fall 20.

With its bold, colourful and irreverent aesthetic, Claudia Li the label has been worn by a host of powerful celebrities, tastemakers and even politicians — Michelle Obama, Karlie Kloss, Eva Chen, and Bella Hadid, to name a few. In 2017, Li was named a Forbes 30 Under 30 Art and Style honouree.

Although Li’s CV boasts the kind of work experience most designers would dream of, one of the main things she’s learned is also fundamentally simple. “I’ve learned so much from my past experiences, but I think the most important lessons I learned are to be kind and be grateful”, she says.

Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner wearing Claudia Li.

“I really love the fact that everyone on my team is genuinely kind and down to earth. I am really lucky to have such an amazing team and together we’ve created an awesome working environment which is essential to produce great work.”

Having returned to Auckland due to the pandemic, Li says the past year has been both challenging and enlightening. “I’ve been rethinking the whole system we base our business on. How, when and what we create. How, when and what we sell,” she says. “I think in some ways, the pandemic ‘pause’ really made the noise go away, at least for me.”

An accelerating system of ‘more, next, new, fast’ needed to be rethought, says Li, and she’s now working on moving her brand forward in a more conscious way, working with her New York team and establishing more of a base in New Zealand as she does so.

Essentially, Li is aiming to do much more than just feed into the never ending appetite for newness. Designing is her way of sharing a narrative and sparking connection. “Some of us don’t just want to sell clothes, we’re also trying to connect with our audiences on an emotional level. We’re trying to tell our stories.”

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Meet Double Double — the cool coffee bar from the dynamic duo behind Culprit and Lowbrow

You’d never call them complacent, as the duo behind Culprit, Little Culprit, Lowbrow and Nook has just opened a sweet new coffee shop in the central city. Named Double Double, the freshly minted cafe is located right next to Elliot Stables, a java-slinging oasis in the middle of it all.

The opportunity to open Double Double came about a few months ago, says co-owner Jordan MacDonald, and what solidified it was the layout of the space when they checked it out initially. “It had great bones,” says MacDonald, “with a brick wall, high stud and a banquette that we could see would be beautiful re-covered.”

The interior is small — only around 10 seats — and there’s no kitchen, meaning it’s a slightly more low-maintenance affair than their other restaurants. However, they’ve made sure the offering is still characteristically delicious with toasted sandwiches, baked goods from Ponsonby bakery Il Forno (where Lowbrow’s buns are made), Coffee Supreme coffee, and some outrageously good sweet treats invented by MacDonald and co-chef and owner Kyle Street.

Double Double’s toasted sandwiches are all made with Il Forno focaccia, and you’ll find flavours like Truffle & Cheese, comprising truffle salt, gruyere bechamel and mushroom paste; a mortadella, swiss cheese, rocket, red pepper and mayo iteration; chicken schnitzel with rocket, mozzarella and tomato kasundi; and grilled eggplant, red pepper jam, mozzarella and rocket. There will also be specials and the menu will likely change seasonally.

The sweets selection is like nothing you’ll find anywhere else. Cornflake Crack Brownie is a heavenly combination of chocolate brownie base topped with a caramelised cornflake layer. Peanut butter and jam drop cookies are like a supreme version of a Shrewsberry biscuit, and there’s a pretzel loaf cake with golden syrup icing, a gluten-free sweet granola slice — and more.

Like the sandwich selection, the selection may change depending on what’s popular and/or seasonal. We can confidently say this will be a must-visit for breakfast and lunchtime punters who are after some of the tastiest coffee, sandwiches and sweet treats in town.

Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 7AM — 3PM
Saturday & Sunday: Closed

Double Double
39 Elliott street,
Auckland Central

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Maggie Marilyn’s exciting debut presentation at Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2021

Fostering a spirit of community and connection has long been a cornerstone pursuit for Maggie Hewitt, founder of lauded New Zealand fashion brand Maggie Marilyn. This philosophy was shown to be more starkly important than ever throughout the last year, and when it came to designing her latest ‘Forever’ capsule additions, it was from a renewed emphasis on togetherness that Hewitt drew her inspiration.

This concept also became the catalyst for Maggie Marilyn’s exciting debut presentation at Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2021, where the brand is showcasing its new capsule with a beautiful cinematic creation A Brave New World — today at 5PM NZT. As the name would suggest, this feature explores the changed frontier we’ve now found ourselves in, gradually trying to emerge from the pandemic with optimism, empathy and inspiration.

The Bridgerton dress.
Maggie Marilyn founder Maggie Hewitt.

Shot across 120 acres of countryside at The Range in Byron Bay and directed by Duc Thinh Dong, A Brave New World drew on some of Australia’s brightest talents to create a spirited visual showcase for Maggie Marilyn’s latest designs. Producer Lauren Barge, photographer Dan Roberts and stylist Emma Kalfus lent their skills to the project, which features an enchanting cast of models and muses including Shimma Marie, Mahalia Handley and New Zealand’s own Manahou Mackay wearing the brand’s covetable pieces.

A palette of rich, chocolatey brown and buttery yellow is punctuated by enchanting pops of azure blue and shimmering gold; sumptuous cream and signature prints. We love the effortless silhouette of the Bobbi Boyfriend Pant and the matching chocolate Make A Livin’ blazer; the ankle-grazing George Carey coat in either check or bubblegum pink, and the showstopping Bridgerton dress.

The Bobbi Boyfriend pant.
Kingi.

For this collection and its subsequent showcase, Maggie Marilyn also partnered with two like-minded designers — footwear brand Nelson Made and jewellery designer Mineraleir — to create limited-edition, consciously made accessories that solidify the capsule’s aesthetic right down to the finer details.

True to Maggie Marilyn’s core pillar of sustainability, the new Forever pieces are timeless, intended for wear all year round. They are crafted from traceable and organic or repurposed fibres, made in New Zealand with a focus on responsible manufacturing and ethical practices. Once again, the brand has created pieces that will both add an exciting dose of freshness to our wardrobe, while being cherished for years to come.

In celebration of this highly-anticipated launch, Maggie Marilyn has offered to give one lucky Denizen reader the ultimate shopping experience worth $2,500. With this you’ll receive a personalised shopping session with Maggie Marilyn’s Head of Retail where you will walk away with a mixture of new Forever and Somewhere pieces followed by a delicious lunch for you and a friend at Kingi, Britomart.

This giveaway has now closed.

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Photo: Undersoul Photography.

The enchanting Luma festival is back, transforming Queenstown into a magical wonderland

Queenstown’s award-winning sensory experience, Luma is back after a year’s hiatus. Bringing together illuminated art, light sculpture, performance and community events over four days during Queen’s Birthday weekend, the event promises to enliven the Queenstown Gardens on the shores of Lake Wakatipu.

Working with over 500 contributors, from the established and renowned New Zealand light artist Angus Muir, to up-and-coming artists such as Christchurch creative Drew Hill, Luma is now in its seventh year, and it just keeps getting better.

As Muir notes, the Queenstown Gardens is a spectacular location thanks to its natural lack of ambient light, serving to highlight the installations that much more. While in 2019, Luma attracted nearly 60,000 domestic and international visitors, there’s hope that the 2021 iteration may be witnessed by even more.

So, if you’re thinking of spending your Queen’s Birthday weekend in Queenstown, we suggest you commit soon, as this cornerstone arts and culture event will be one you won’t want to miss.

Luma Festival
5pm-10pm,
Friday 4th — Monday 7th of June
Queenstown Gardens

www.luma.nz

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Azabu's karaage chicken.

Denizen’s definitive guide to the best fried chicken in town

These days, a fried chicken craving needn’t be fulfilled at a greasy fast food joint or on a bad hangover. From karaage to buttermilk, Korean fried to Southern-style, the number of eateries putting their own spin on this crunchy, tender, deep-fried delight is impressive to say the least — for which we count ourselves lucky. For your perusal, we’ve compiled the best places in Auckland to get a fix of the good stuff.

Azabu
What do you get when you combine Peruvian and Japanese cuisine? Criminally tasty buttermilk karaage chicken with pickled daikon and mayo laced with aji amarillo — a yellow, fruity South American pepper. Both Ponsonby and Mission Bay locations have their own take on this classic dish, so you can get your fix wherever suits.

Gochu.

Gochu
There are many reasons to visit Commercial Bay’s modern Korean restaurant Gochu, and the fried chicken is a strong contender for the top of the list. Head chef Jason Kim has made sure his signature fried chicken is irresistibly sticky, crunchy and juicy. Heat seekers would do well to order ‘Jason’s fried chicken, but spicier’.

Hello Beasty.

Hello Beasty
An essential addition to any order at this Viaduct favourite, Hello Beasty’s kaarage chicken is served with a sweet-leaning Japanese-style BBQ sauce. A lemon wedge on the side means you can cut through the richness with a refreshing zing of citrus — making this one seriously moreish dish.

The Chamberlain.

The Chamberlain
A fresh new fried chicken menu has landed at Britomart bar and eatery The Chamberlain, and it’s described as being ‘tasty as cluck’. Tailored to your liking, you can pick from white meat (breast and wing), brown meat (thigh and drum), tender fillets or classic wings, and choose your spice level from four tongue-tingling options. Served with sliced bread and pickles, the only thing that could make it more perfect is pairing it with one of The Chamberlain’s 15 top-notch tap beers.

Nook.

Nook
This St Kevins Arcade yakitori spot from the duo behind Lowbrow (read more about its irresistible wings below) and Culprit does great bite-sized pieces of karaage chicken. Free-range pieces of chicken thigh are lightly coated in delicious batter and served with delectable wasabi mayonnaise and a dusting of sesame salt. What more could you want?

Kai Eatery.

Kai Eatery
If you like your fried chicken as big as your face, you’re in luck. Serving modern Taiwanese street food, Kai’s infamous ‘XL’ chicken is the Mount Everest of fried chicken — a mighty bite begging to be conquered. Take your pick from three flavours (original, five-spice or flame-kissed charcoal sauce). If you’re not up to the challenge, the fried chicken bites are a good option.

Ebisu 
As the home of some of the city’s best sushi and sashimi, Ebisu is our go-to when we’re seeking excellent Japanese fare. It’s no surprise then, that the Britomart stalwart has karaage chicken down to a delicious science. Served with crunchy, fresh mixed carrot salad and soy onion dressing, we even feel a little virtuous after polishing off this perfectly balanced dish.

Peach’s Hot Chicken.

Peach’s Hot Chicken
Specialising in authentic Nashville hot chicken, Peach’s Hot Chicken is so popular the former food truck transitioned to a restaurant in East Auckland’s Panmure. Choose your spice level (ranging from mild to Holy Cluck — described as a religious experience) and enjoy it served on either a piece of soft white bread, inside a tender brioche bun, or piled atop waffles.

Simon & Lee’s KFC (Korean Fried Chicken).

Simon & Lee
Get your hit of KFC (Korean Fried Chicken) at Simon & Lee, the Parnell eatery that indulges our desire to order chicken for breakfast, lunch or dinner. There’s the KFC chicken lunchbox, which pairs chicken with slaw, pickles, shoestring fries and aioli; chicken nibbles ranging in spice level up to ‘danger spicy’ (you’ve been warned); a fried chicken burger and finally the fried chicken bao. Consider this fried chicken heaven — complete with disposable gloves to keep your paws pristine.

Beau.

Beau
Fans of Freaky (the now defunct CBD cafe) are eternally grateful that its famous fried chicken lives on at Beau. A triumph with sesame mayo, this Ponsonby wine bar makes fried chicken and a crisp glass of something good taste like the height of sophistication.

Winner Winner.

Winner Winner
Born in Hamilton, this joint is so popular it’s since established branches in Wellington, Pukekohe and Takapuna. Specialising in all things chicken, these guys know a thing or two about creating a winning chicken dinner. Brined for 12 hours and fried in buttermilk, boneless bites can be ordered with ranch and pickles, in a sandwich or stuffed in a burger with white BBQ sauce and crispy onions. With three spice levels to keep any palate happy, this is the perfect quick pitstop for a no-frills feed.

Ockhee.

Ockhee
Ponsonby Korean restaurant Ockhee serves up two different (yet equally delicious) takes on Korean fried chicken. The sweet chilli and a roasted peanut glaze is delightfully sticky and syrupy while spicy soy and sesame glazed has a deep umami flavour. We recommend pairing with the Chun Sa Chae noodle salad for a deliciously fresh contrast.

Lowbrow.

Lowbrow
As our go-to purveyors of fancy fast food, Lowbrow throws down a bloody good fried bird, taking its interpretation of this naughty nibble very seriously. The chicken sando is a thing of beauty, incorporating American cheese, iceberg, McClure’s pickles, and mac sauce with free-range chicken thigh, and the organic chicken wings… let’s just say a bucket disappears remarkably quickly.

Chop Chop’s Cobra Kai ramen with fried chicken.

Chop Chop Noodle House 
If ramen is the first thing you think of when Chop Chop comes to mind, fried chicken should be a close second. The Ponsonby noodle house can’t get enough of the stuff, whether its dripping with chilli sauce, crushed peanuts and yum yum mayo, crispy with hot Ssäm sauce or placed atop of a piping hot bowl of ramen as a delicious pièce de résistance.

Gastronomy

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