NZL: Hello Beasty
Meatless KFC: Korean Fried Cauliflower!
Having had enjoyable modern Asian dishes at Chin Chin in Melbourne, Australia. I was keen to find a similar dining experience in Auckland, New Zealand. Eventually, my travel buddy and I stumbled upon Hello Beasty, which serves contemporary dishes that take culinary cues primarily from East Asia.
Stuart Rogan, the head chef of the eatery, has cooked his way around the world from a Michelin-starred hotel to a garage with six tables and a kitchen the size of bathtub.
Korean Fried Cauliflower NZ$19.00 (~S$14.35)
Taste: 8.5/10
We started with a lovely vegetarian take on Korean fried chicken. The bite-sized cauliflower florets were deep-fried until crisp before being tossed with sweet and spicy gochujang (Korean paste of red chili, glutinous rice, fermented soybeans and salt) and finished with spring onions and sesame seeds.
Kkwabaegi NZ$18.00 (~S$13.60)
Taste: 8.5/10
One of the most popular items is the Korean twisted donuts given a more contemporary and decadent treatment. Fried fresh to order, they arrived warm and fluffy, drizzled with rich chocolate fudge sauce and salty-sweet miso (Japanese fermented rice, barley and/or soybean) buttermilk caramel that offered a nice contrast of flavours. Served alongside was a scoop of vanilla ice cream topped with dark cacao crumbs.
Torched Poached Pear + Rhubarb NZ$18.00 (~S$13.60)
Taste: 7.5/10
As we weren't particularly hungry, we decided to share just one savoury and two sweet dishes. Sitting on a smooth bed of ginger custard, the torched pear and tender rhubarb cubes were topped with coconut crunch. They were accompanied by refreshing pear sorbet dusted with lime zest that provided a bright, citrusy note to the dish.
For a caffeine kick, I also ordered a cup of cappuccino. Topped with a thick layer of velvety milk foam and a dusting of cocoa powder, the coffee was smooth and well-rounded. It was a comforting cup to round off the meal. Pika's advice: If you have the time, stay for some pavlova.
Heart + Soul NZ$22.00 (~S$16.80)
Taste: 8/10
As rhubarb isn't something common at home, I decided to have more of it in the form of a cocktail. The gin-based sour combined the botanical notes of gin with vibrant rhubarb and a bright citrus kick, creating a nicely balanced drink. Shaken to a silky, foamy finish and topped with a sprinkling of red petals, it was fruity, refreshing and not overly sweet.
Melon's Rating
Taste: 8/10
Ambience: 8/10
Service: 8/10
Overall: 8/10
Unlike the high-energy atmosphere at Chin Chin, Hello Beasty offers a quieter and more relaxed setting. Pika's advice: Just like at Chin Chin, if you prefer to leave the dish selection to the restaurant, you can go for their Feed Me menu. With a minimum requirement of two diners, it starts from NZ$75.00 (~S$57.20) per person.
Hello Beasty
95-97 Customs Street West
Auckland
New Zealand
(Daily: 12 noon - 10.00pm)
*Prices quoted are nett prices.
Have a nice meal,
Cliff(y)
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