Stomach grumbling but wallet looking a little bare? It’s no news that food prices in Auckland have skyrocketed over the past few years, and we’re all feeling the pinch. Thankfully there’s still a number of places across the city that are bucking the trend and offering great value lunch deals for the price conscious. We’ve rounded up five of our favourite spots that offer a rice or noodle based lunch for under $10.
1. Bento Express 百姓大食堂 - 242A Dominion Road, Mount Eden
Bento Express is one of the best value Chinese meals south of the bridge. They’re fairly newly opened in the latest hotspot for good food on upper Dominion Road in Mt Eden. For just $9.90 you can choose three from the smorgasbord of their large range of home-cooked style Chinese dishes such as stir-fried greens, mapo tofu, braised pork belly, lion’s head meatballs and much more. Your choice of three dishes is served alongside rice and a clear soup. While the portions of the dishes aren’t huge, you can’t beat the price and selection in a central location.
2. XinFengMao Chinese BBQ 新丰茂烧烤 - 14E Torrens Road, Burswood
XinFengMao is another place for a hearty meal of rice with your choice of dishes. This restaurant has become hugely popular amongst East Aucklanders at lunchtime (especially on weekends) since having pivoted to offer $9.90 rice plates to encourage patrons during tough times. XinFengMao offers your choice of two meats, one vegetable and soup as part of their deal. Much like Bento Express you get to pick what you like from options such as tomato egg, stir fried chicken and braised beef. If you don’t mind waiting and are looking for a home-style Chinese meal this is your place.
3. Japanese Dining You - 21/25 Elliott St, Auckland CBD
It’s not all Chinese out there on the cheap and delectable lunch front! Japanese Dining You has been delighting students and budget-conscious curry lovers for a number of years now. While it has moved locations a few times and had a bit of price adjustment since its opening, it’s still shockingly cheap for when midday hunger strikes. Japanese Dining You specialises in Japanese curry with various options such as beef, beef mince and cheese, chicken and vegetable. The curry will set you back $7.50 for large size on rice and $9.50 for large on udon noodles. You can add on crunchy fried sides of your choice such as croquettes for $1.50 and up. They also have options for various affordable donburi for a steal at $11 – 15. Note that at the time of writing (September 2024), Japanese Dining You has just moved to the location listed above, we suggest you contact them to double check they are open before planning a visit.
4. Sunrise Hong Kong Café 新发茶餐厅 - 479 Khyber Pass Road, Newmarket
Sunrise is truly an institution in Auckland and has been part of the Newmarket landscape for as long as locals can remember. They’re pioneers of the dirt-cheap but delicious lunch with a range of deals on their Hong Kong style food displayed on the board by the counter. Options at the time of writing include beef or chicken noodle soup, chicken laksa, dumpling soup, pan fried dumplings, soy sauce chicken on rice (ranging from $6.50 - $9.50) and few meals for $10.50 including black pepper beef on rice, black bean fish on rice, crispy chicken on rice and eggplant mince on rice. These are not gourmet meals, but are tasty and filling and remain a great option for an affordable lunch.
5. Yong Li Noodle 永利面家 - 40 Rosedale Road, Rosedale
With so many great value options on the shore, especially around the Albany and Wairau areas, it’s hard to choose just one! But one did steal the spotlight thanks to its exceptional value, and that was Yong Li Noodle. Yong Li echoes the same model as Bento Express and XinFengMao with a $9.90 meal deal where you can choose your favourite three dishes from a pre-cooked smorgasbord and enjoy this on rice or noodles and a side of soup. Yong Li has charmed the North Shore with its generous portions of home-cooked favourites such as beef stew, tripe and a big range of stir-fried vegetable mixtures in a cafeteria style setting. You won’t break the bank with this one but be prepared for lines during peak lunchtime as this place is no secret to locals.
