Recognizing that everyone is in this current cost-of-living crisis together, one restaurant owner says his commitment is to keep his menu offerings affordable.
Tucked within a row of shops on Symonds Street is In Your Flavour, a Chinese restaurant serving Cantonese-style roast meat, cooked dishes, and dim sum.
The restaurant is run by Weibin Li, a chef and traditional Cantonese cuisine and roast meat master for many decades.
“I have been in the food business for many years, and cooking Cantonese food is my specialty,” Li said.
“Before coming to New Zealand around nine years ago, I worked in South Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia, also cooking up Cantonese cuisine.”
Li said he is a Cantonese himself, originally from Guangzhou, and is passionate about the food that he grew up with.
“From my international experience, what I want to offer at my restaurant is Cantonese food that appeals to different segments of the community,” he said.
“While many of our Asian and Chinese customers like our roast meats, local Kiwis tend to prefer simple dim sum like the shrimp dumplings, siu mai, spring rolls, and squid tentacles.”
Some dishes such as lemon chicken, sizzling black pepper beef and sweet sour pork have also become “local comfort food,” he added.
In Your Flavour is best known for their Cantonese-style roast meats, including Char Siew (barbecued pork), Siu Yuk (crispy roast pork belly), and Roast Duck.
Li said he chose to open a small eatery at its current location because it allowed him to maintain his aim of affordable pricing.
BBQ pork or crispy roast pork belly on rice is $19 a plate, as are other dishes like sweet n sour pork, black pepper beef, and soy chicken on rice.
“We don’t have high overheads when compared to people running big restaurants, so our savings can be passed on to our customers,” he said.
“Currently, New Zealand is facing a cost-of-living crisis, and we are all in it together. People can’t afford to spend too much when eating out, so we try our best to keep our prices low.”
But despite its simplicity in setup, Li still takes pride in what he does.
“My principle is that what I cooked, I myself must also enjoy and be satisfied with it,” he said.
WHAT’S AVAILABLE
For those who aren’t big on dishes with rice, there is a wide selection of noodle dishes and rice porridge (congee), which starts at $9.
Wonton noodle soup with shrimp wontons are $19, while beef brisket noodles and BBQ pork noodles are $18.
The fried noodles include Char Kway Teow, seafood fried noodles and Singapore fried vermicelli all priced at $19.
Other items on the menu include a variety of Cantonese roast and barbecued meat selections, and restaurant-quality dishes at takeaway restaurant prices.
Among the best sellers are the gong bao chicken ($26), sizzling black pepper beef ($26), lamb with cumin ($26), fish with spicy sauce ($26) and the chicken and salted fish with tofu casserole ($28).
For those who prefer more exotic options, the restaurant also serves pork stomach with pickled vegetables ($23), jellyfish with scallion oil ($17), steamed chicken feet ($9) or hot and spicy pig intestines on rice ($23).
Li said he is highly driven by his customers’ feedback and satisfaction for his food.
“My motivation are customers’ compliments,” he said.
“I strive to cook the best dishes for them, and at the best possible value.”
In an exclusive deal for Chow Luck Club members, Li has put together a great value set meal comprising a large combination platter of roast duck, char siew and crispy roast pork belly, a seasonal vegetable side and braised egg noodles for just $48.
When dining in, customers also get free soup of the day and Chinese tea.
In Your Flavour 粤顺兴烧腊
Address: 207 Symonds Street, Eden Terrace, Auckland Phone: 027 366 9569
***This article is brought to you in partnership with In Your Flavour.
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