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Yearning for exciting and zesty cultural flavours? Auckland’s street food culture is as vibrant and casual as the food offerings themselves. From sweet treats to sizzling skewers, street food in Auckland is a bite of multiculturalism. Besides numerous dishes at different wandering kitchens, Auckland’s bustling street food culture thrives in multiple areas. Whether you’re heading up or over to South Auckland or just walking through Ponsonby, there is a snack waiting just around every corner. Auckland’s food trucks and pop-up stalls don’t just serve traditional Kiwi food, they blend influences from around the world.
Top 10 Street Food In Auckland
Auckland’s streets are bursting with global flavours and creative bites. Here are the top 10
must-try street food in Auckland:
1. Hāngi Pie
Photo: Maria Keays / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Auckland’s street food scene offers a unique blend of tradition and innovation, and the Hāngi Pie is a delicious example. Cooking meat and vegetables slow-cooked underground using heated stones is invoked for an earthy, smoky flavour. Inside, you can find tender meat, mostly pork, lamb, or chicken, and kumara (sweet potato), carrots, and pumpkin, all with just a hint of wood smoke. This portable take on a cultural classic is both filling and flavoursome. It’s a must-try street food in Auckland for those wanting to taste a piece of New Zealand’s rich culinary heritage.
Best Paired With: A cup of kawakawa tea or local ginger beer
Popular Places To Try: Otara Market, Auckland Night Markets
2. Pork Belly Bao Buns
Photo: City Foodsters / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
A beloved street food in Auckland, the Pork Belly Bao brings together bold flavours and soft textures. These delectable steamed buns are filled with slices of tender, slow-cooked pork belly. It is then glazed to create a savoury and sweet coating. This pork is then garnished with crispy pickled type, fresh herbs such as coriander, and drizzled with hoisin or spicy mayo. Light but filling, this on-the-go hand snack is ideal for anyone who wants to dabble in bold, fusion flavours. It truly is a must-have for anyone wanting to learn more about Auckland’s great and diverse street food culture.
Best Paired With: Chilli garlic sauce or sweet soy dipping sauce
Popular Places To Try: Judge Bao (food truck), Ponsonby Central
3. Poutine With Kiwi Bacon
Photo: Guilhem Vellut / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Inspired by the Canadian classic, Poutine with Kiwi Bacon is a savoury treat becoming a favourite in street food in Auckland. The dish comprises crispy golden fries topped with rich brown gravy and squeaky cheese curds, just like the traditional version. What sets it apart is the addition of New Zealand’s own streaky Kiwi bacon, which adds a distinctly local flavour. Some vendors even add a sprinkle of spring onions or a fried egg on top for extra indulgence. A fusion of North American comfort food and Kiwi goodness, it’s a must-try for poutine lovers exploring Auckland’s vibrant street eats.
Best Paired With: Craft beer or sparkling lemonade
Popular Places To Try: Food Truck Collective events, CBD street stalls
4. Paua Fritters
Photo: HarshLight / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Coming from a gourmet treasure turned street food favourite, Pāua Fritters have a true taste of coastal New Zealand. The dish comprises finely sliced pāua mixed with herbs, leaves, and eggs into savoury fritters, shallowly fried until they turn golden brown. This yields a crisp outside with a soft and tender interior bursting with the goodness of seafood. Pāua fritters are typically served with a wedge of lemon and possibly a dollop of aioli or tartar sauce. It’s a great way to sample the purely local ingredients and Māori heritage with a hint of casual street food.
Best Paired With: Lemon wedges and tartar sauce
Popular Places To Try: Matakana Village Farmers’ Market, roadside food caravans
5. Churros With Chocolate Sauce
Photo: Alpha / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Bringing a sweet twist to the street food scene in Auckland, Churros with Chocolate Sauce is a crowd-pleasing treat. These deep-fried, golden Spanish dough sticks are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, coated with cinnamon sugar. The decadent chocolate sauce served on the side (or generously drizzled over top) only adds to the fun of dipping or dunking. Churros are a great dessert option or sweet snack on the go. It brings a global element to Auckland’s melting pot of deep-fried snacks to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Best Paired With: Hot chocolate or spiced chai.
Popular Places To Try: Toro Churro (food truck), La Cigale Market
6. Korean Fried Chicken
Photo: Gary Stevens / Wikimedia Commons
Korean Fried Chicken is one crispy, juicy, and very flavourful wonder. It is served boneless and generously coated in a sticky, flavourful glaze, ranging from sweet soy garlic to fiery gochujang. This dish is all about bold taste and satisfying crunch. Double-frying leaves the chicken crusty on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside. Topped with sesame seeds and accompanied by pickled radish, the dish gives a blend of textures and flavours to please every palate. Popular at night markets and trendy food trucks, this mouthwatering dish is a must-try street food in Auckland.
Best Paired With: Pickled radish and cold soft drinks
Popular Places To Try: No. 1 Chicken (truck), Auckland Night Markets
7. Butter Chicken Roti Roll
Photo: SoHome Jacaranda Lilau / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Butter Chicken Roti Roll is a combination of Indian flavours with the Kiwi street food flair. It consists of chunks of chicken, slow-cooked in a creamy, spiced butter chicken gravy, wrapped in a warm, made-to-order roti. The roll can be topped with fresh lettuce, zesty onions, and a bright herb sauce (like mint chutney or yoghurt) for an extra layer of freshness. Very portable and very flavourful, it is just right for those craving a little comfort food with a twist. It finds a home in Indian stalls, trucks, and multicultural festivals, where it adds spice and satisfaction to the already colourful world of street food in Auckland.
Best Paired With: Mint chutney or mango lassi
Popular Places To Try: Temptation Indian Food Truck, local festivals
8. Lamb Shawarma Wrap
Photo: Andy Li / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Lamb Shawarma Wrap is a fantastic Middle Eastern treat with tender marinated lamb slices slow-roasted on a vertical spit. The meat is juicy and spiced with garlic, cumin, paprika, and a hint of cinnamon. Wrapped up in soft warm pita bread, the lamb has crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, thinly sliced onions, and tangy pickles. Then, for an added punch of richness and depth, cream garlic or tahini is drizzled all over the wrap to enhance its already bold, savoury flavour.
Best Paired With: Spiced fries and a lemon soda
Popular Places To Try: Shefco (truck), Ponsonby Street Food
9. Thai Mango Sticky Rice Cups
Photo: deror_avi / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Known for its tropical flavours paired with creamy goodness, the Thai Mango Sticky Rice Cups are an absolute dessert. It comes served in small cup-sized portions, so you can eat it while on the go. This dessert includes glutinous sticky rice boiled in sweetened coconut milk until soft and fragrant. Topping it off are chunks of ripe, juicy Thai mango, with bright colours and a honey-like sweetness. These cups are both visually appealing and easy to eat on the go. Refreshing, gluten-free, and naturally sweet, Thai Mango Sticky Rice Cups should not be missed by dessert lovers in Auckland.
Best Paired With: Thai iced tea or coconut milkshake
Popular Places To Try: Auckland Night Markets, Thai food trucks
10. Cookie Dough – Filled Doughnuts
Photo: BrokenSphere / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The cookie dough-filled doughnut of Auckland is a decadent combination of two much-loved desserts, i.e., pillowy doughnuts and rich cookie dough. These golden deep-fried treats have a crispy shell outside and airy softness inside. Therein lies a generous amount of edible cookie dough, made with brown sugar, vanilla, and chocolate chips. They are usually topped with smooth vanilla or chocolate icing and garnished with either cookie crumbs or drizzled syrup. Each bite is the perfect combination of warm, fried dough and cool, creamy cookie dough. Whether you’re nursing a sweet tooth or looking for a different twist on the classic doughnut, this is an absolute must – try.
Best Paired With: Hot chocolate or vanilla ice cream
Popular Places To Try: Sweet As Crepes Truck, Silo Park
Eating street food in Auckland means tasting just about all bold overseas flavours in one city. This ranges from sizzling skewers and clicking dumplings to the sugar-coated churros. There are food trucks, night markets, and even pop-up restaurants, all supplying delicious and diverse options. You can come across snacks that surprise you, meals that fill you, and experiences that remain long after you’ve left the plate. Eager to go on a taste adventure? Plan with TripXL and discover where locals eat, map out your route, and enjoy Auckland’s deliciously dynamic food scene.
Cover Photo: Mx. Granger / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
