Jordan McCraeToday, we’re calling all Kiwis ravenous for an adventure in Asian cuisine! Are you ready to spice up your taste buds?
It’s time to hit up Malaysian restaurants in Auckland! Malaysian food is like a flavor explosion — think aromatic spices, bold flavors, and a mix of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous influences.
It’s the ultimate umami experience, with waves of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy all rolled into one mouthwatering serve. Whether you’re a newbie to Malaysian eats or just searching for your next foodie fix, our handpicked list has got your taste buds covered.
So go ahead, get your gear on, and get ready for the best Malaysian cooking Auckland has to offer!
Uncle Man’s K’road
– Media credit: uncleman.kroad
Website: https://unclemans.com/
Address: 277 Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Contact:
Hours:
- Closed on Monday
- Tuesday to Sunday: 11:30 AM–2:30 PM, 5:30 PM–8:30 PM
Let’s begin with the legend of Uncle Man’s! With three branches now gracing Auckland, it’s the OG on K-Road that kicked off this roti revolution.
Known citywide for crafting the most divine roti you’ll ever taste, Uncle Man’s is where it all began. And let’s be real: finding authentic, handmade roti is like discovering a unicorn in your backyard.
It’s rare, folks! But here, it’s an art form. You’ll watch in awe as the dough masters at Uncle Man’s work their magic, tossing and rolling until each roti is a masterpiece.
And let’s talk portions. You don’t just get one roti, you get two!
Pair it with your favorite curry (or two), and you’re good to go. Trust us, your taste buds will thank you!
| Pro Tip: They don’t skimp on the chicken curry (our favorite) since Uncle Man’s doesn’t play around when it comes to dishing out juicy chunks of meat. |
Sri Pinang
– Media credit: sripinang.krd
Website: https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=151613248230140
Address: 356 Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Contact: +64 9 358 3886
Hours:
- Closed on Sunday
- Monday, Saturday: 5:30 PM–10 PM
- Tuesday to Friday: 11:30 AM–2:30 PM, 5:30–10 PM
Sri Pinang sits right across the road from Uncle Man’s. With the fabulous Angie at the helm, a low corkage fee, and dishes that make you want to do a happy dance, what’s not to love about this place?
Angie’s dedication knows no bounds; she’s either burning the midnight oil or up at the crack of dawn, perfecting that roti dough. Speaking of roti, Sri Pinang’s version is more flaky than fluffy, giving Uncle Man’s a run for its money.
But hey, which one reigns supreme? That’s a matter of taste buds — yours!
| Pro Tip: Try the gado gado, the dish that’s making waves from Indonesia to Malaysia. Sri Pinang’s take on it is utter perfection: crunchy veggies, smothered in a peanut sauce that’s so good it’ll make you want to lick the plate clean. |
Selera
– Media credit: brunchbunniesnz
Website: https://www.facebook.com/seleranz/
Address: 487 Khyber Pass Road, Newmarket, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
Contact: +64 9 520 7977
Hours:
- Open daily from 11 AM–10 PM
Selera Cafe Limited is your go-to spot for tantalizing Malaysian flavors that’ll make your taste buds dance a happy jig. With a menu bursting with signature rendang and laksa dishes, this place is a hot favorite among foodies of all stripes.
From rice and noodle dishes to authentic Malaysian delicacies, they’ve got it all. And let’s talk about those rendang and laksa dishes: bold, spicy, and oh-so-satisfying!
Creamy soup, chewy noodles, and flavors that’ll make you weak in the knees – all for just $16. Trust us, you’ll want to keep this bowl of goodness all to yourself.
Lunchtime blues? Dinner dilemma? Selera Cafe Limited has got you covered.
Just swing by for a quick weekday lunch or linger over a leisurely weekend dinner. It’s the perfect pit stop after a day of retail therapy or city exploration.
| Pro Tip: To get there, hop off at the Newmarket train station or catch a bus. Either way, you’re just a hop, skip, and a curry jump away. And if you’re driving, parking’s a breeze too. |
Sim’s Kitchen
– Media credit: yennymccraycray
Website: https://www.simskitchen.co.nz/
Address: 1/59 Victoria Street, Onehunga, Auckland 1061, New Zealand
Contact: +64 9 949 1159
Hours:
- Closed on Monday
- Tuesday to Sunday: 9 AM–2 PM
Located away in Hillsborough, Sim’s Kitchen is your ticket to unadulterated Malaysian bliss. It’s more than a dining spot as it’s a legend among Malaysian families in Auckland, dishing out flavors straight from the streets of Malaysia.
Sure, it might be a trek from central Auckland, but trust us, the nasi lemak alone is worth the journey. Every bite is a symphonic burst of flavors.
It all starts from the fragrant coconut rice to the fiery sambal sauce, the crispy anchovies, and the crunchy peanuts. And finally, they all come together in a mouthwatering medley.
And don’t even get us started on the chicken curry. It’s like a flavor explosion in your mouth, an experience you won’t find anywhere else. So pack your taste buds and get ready for a culinary adventure like no other at Sim’s Kitchen!
| Pro Tip: Parking can be a bit of a competition here! We suggest going in earlier than the usual lunch or dinner crowds. |
KK Malaysian Cuisine
– Media credit: kkmalysia
Website: https://kkmalaysia.co.nz/
Address: 463A Manukau Road, Epsom, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
Contact: +64 29 123 4345
Hours:
- Closed on Monday
- Tuesday to Sunday: 11 AM–8:30 PM
KK Malaysian Cuisine has been tantalizing Aucklanders’ taste buds with Malaysian delights for over 15 years, and boy, are they still at the top of their game! Fried chicken holds a special place in Malaysian cuisine, just like meat pies in Kiwi culture.
And we have to be honest here, KK chicken takes the crown as the ultimate crowd-pleaser.
We can just imagine sinking our mouths again into juicy morsels of chicken, deep-fried to crispy perfection. Then, the pieces are tossed into a wok filled with garlic, chili, onion, curry leaves, and spring onion.
The result? Some of the most tantalizing Malaysian flavors you’ll ever encounter.
| Pro Tip: The Fish Head Rice Noodles dish is a bit unconventional but highly tasty. Just make sure you’re okay seeing it on your plate! |
PappaRich
– Media credit: chabituin
Website: https://www.facebook.com/PappaRichNZ/
Address: Shop N208, Sylvia Park, 286 Mount Wellington Highway, Mount Wellington, Auckland 1060, New Zealand
Contact: +64 9 573 0059
Hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday: 11 AM–8 PM
- Thursday to Friday: 11 AM–9:15 PM
- Saturday: 11 AM–8:45 PM
If you’re on the hunt for a Malaysian food extravaganzam then look no further than PappaRich. With multiple spots in Auckland, finding them is as easy as pie.
Our long-running obsession is their curry laksa. It’s like a warm hug from Malaysia itself, introducing you to a world of bold flavors.
Before you know it, your feast will be at your fingertips, ready to devour. Malaysia is truly Asia!
| Pro Tip: PappaRich’s eateries dot Auckland, and they’re all about blending top-notch nosh with cozy vibes and lightning-fast service. Simply grab a menu form, tick off your faves from the 160+ options, hit the buzzer, and hand it over. |
Mama Kopitiam (Mama Rich Cafe)
– Media credit: mamakopitiamnz
Website: https://www.mamakopitiam.co.nz/
Address: 205 Great South Road, Greenlane, Auckland 1051, New Zealand
Contact: +64 9 520 1350
Hours:
- Closed on Wednesday
- Thursday to Tuesday: 11 AM–9 PM
In the world of chicken rice, PapaRich has a partner in crime: Mamarich! But now, she’s called Mama Kopitiam.
Tucked away on the ground floor of a corporate building in Greenlane, it’s your go-to spot for all things delicious. In case you didn’t know, “kopitiam” is the term for coffee (kopi) shop (tiam). Ingenious, huh?
But here’s the kicker: Mama Kopitiam isn’t just any ordinary café. It’s the brainchild of a group of food enthusiasts hailing from Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Their mission? To bring the vibrant flavors of their homeland to the taste buds of Aucklanders.
And boy, do they deliver! With a knack for sourcing top-notch local ingredients and cooking them up the Malaysian way, Mama Kopitiam is a culinary gem you won’t want to miss.
| Pro Tip: When getting the Hainanese chicken, make sure they serve the broth too. It’s the traditional way to serve it, and you want the full experience, don’t you? |
Mulan Malaysian Restaurant
– Media credit: mulan_nz
Website: https://mulan.co.nz/
Address: 243 Hinemoa Street, Birkenhead, Auckland 0626, New Zealand
Contact: +64 9 480 2806
Hours:
- Closed on Monday
- Tuesday to Sunday: 5 PM–10 PM
Chinese name, Malaysian game — that’s Mulan for you! Forget the usual suspects in the City area; Mulan serves up home-style Malaysian cuisine like no other.
With a menu as diverse as your taste buds, they’ve got something for everyone (yes, even vegans)! And with their digs that are just steps from the top of Hinemoa Street, Mulan’s got that cozy vibe down pat.
Now, onto the good stuff: their duck mee jawa is the stuff of legends. It’s the Malaysian street-hawker classic that’ll have you coming back for more.
And can we talk about their commitment to quality? Free-farmed pork and chicken are the norm here. That’s quite a rarity in Asian restaurants!
We’re just in love with their Northern Pad Thai. They’ve got this rice noodle extravaganza featuring egg, mung beans, garlic chives, roasted peanuts, and tamarind.
Oh, and choose your protein wisely: chicken, prawn, or tofu/vegetables. Just wait for it to be served and prepare to be wowed!
| Pro Tip: Get their Cauliflower Poppers: crispy, tender perfection in every bite! The perfect side or the perfect snack, whichever tickles your taste buds! |
Mamak Malaysian Restaurant
– Media credit: wchen
Address: Chancery Square, Unit 106/50 Kitchener Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Contact: +64 9 948 6479
Hours:
- Closed on Monday
- Tuesday to Sunday: 11:30 AM–3 PM, 5–8:30 PM
Nestled snugly in Chancery Square, right across from Obar, is one of our taste bud paradises and olfactory oases. It’s Mamak Malaysian Restaurant and it serves a slice of Malaysia to Auckland CBD, hitting highs and lows on the flavor scale!
Whether you’re lounging indoors or soaking up the sun al fresco, it’s the go-to spot for a quick lunch or a leisurely dinner. It’s an open secret yet still a hidden gem begging to be unearthed by any foodie with a hankering for a Malaysian flavor fiesta.
We love getting into their Crispy Spring Rolls, dunked in sweet chili sauce, for a flavor explosion. Then, we’d indulge in the Salt and Pepper Squid, which has a satisfying crunch that’ll have you coming back for more.
And for the main event, we’re going with the Mamak Mee Goreng with Sunny Side! It’s a dish bursting with flavor and crowned with a perfectly runny sunny-side-up egg — crispy edges included for that extra oomph.
And don’t even think about skipping the Mamak Nasi Lemak with Beef Rendang, a Malaysian classic done oh-so-right. Darn, we just might head out for it after writing all about it!
| Pro Tip: For a taste bud dance party, slurp up the Seafood Laksa, packed with spicy goodness, creamy broth, and a boatload of tofu, squid, prawn, bean sprouts, and egg. It’s flavor town, baby! |
Bunga Raya
– Media credit: eatlitfood
Website: https://bunga-raya-restaurant.business.site/
Address: 2A/3062 Great North Road, New Lynn, Auckland 0600, New Zealand
Contact: +64 9 827 8666
Hours:
- Closed on Monday
- Tuesday to Sunday: 11:30 AM–2:30 PM, 5:30–8:30 PM
In New Lynn, Bunga Raya Restaurant calls out to all foodies (and spice lovers) with its Malaysian delights. With fresh ingredients and authentic flavors, it’s a must-visit for both locals and travelers alike.
It’s going to be a deep plunge into a world of culinary wonders with their dine-in or takeaway options. From Hainanese chicken to oatmeal prawns, their menu is bursting with Malaysian goodness.
And to be perfectly clear, we were dazzled by their chic decor, perfect for intimate dinners or lively get-togethers. The vibe is laid-back, and the atmosphere welcoming — just right for sharing a meal with your crew.
No need to watch the clock at Bunga Raya: they’ve got you covered from lunch to dinner. And even though prices have crept up a bit, they’re still a steal in Auckland.
You can BYOB or indulge in their selection, like the ever-popular Tiger beer. Despite New Lynn’s soggy situations, Bunga Raya stays hot and packed with lunch and dinner crowds, so be sure to line up early to get good seats!
This family-run find treats every regular like royalty, starting with a warm green tea welcome and serving up divine drinks. Trust us, a trip to Bunga Raya is an adventure worth savoring.
| Pro Tip: Their Hainanese Chicken Rice, Laksa, Nasi Lemak, and curry chicken are out of this world. And if you can handle the heat, their sambal is a must-try. |
