MooChowChow

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Like a stroll through the fragrant night markets and food stalls of Bangkok, MooChowChow - a new Mark Wallbank venture - is a boost to the senses with its element of fun, surprise and deliciousness. Food that's a vibrant party-in-your-mouth, cocktails of fresh fruits and smashed herbs to tantalise and refresh, and icy cold pitchers of beer.

Fantastic food, killer cocktails and great ambiance. One of the vey best restaurants in Auckland.

Amazing staff, service, food and drinks!

I say we enjoyed it, because the main appeal of this restaurant - 'Moo Chow Chow' is the fun of it and the quirky little space. It claims to be inspired by the Bangkok street markets and it does capture that lively, rowdy bustle.

I can rarely see the point of the debate over whether food is "authentically" Thai or whatever but the cooking certainly mirrors that characteristically vivid freshness and spice. It lacks only the all-embracing fumes of the passing tuk-tuk but the noise level is pretty impressive.

The food is intended to be shared because "Caring is sharing" apparently. I would advise a certain generosity in ordering to avoid the possibility of ugly scenes over some of the better dishes as the dishes are all a smaller size portion. But as we were a party of 18 we had to go ona a set menu, so although only $45 each, don't expect to get full on this.

We kicked off with crispy pork rolls which were terrific. The popularity with our group of the chilli papaya & peanut salad & soft shell crab which I tried for my first time. Followed by caramelised pork and then beef rib, meltingly tender, spiced and with a rich aftertaste.

Yes I'd go back again but to choose from the Ala Carte menu in a smaller group.

I arranged for some clients and colleagues to eat at MooChowChow. They had limited time to eat so we ordered ahead of the group arriving. It was very difficult to get the menu as the menu online was out of date. The person I spoke to was very short with me on the phone and only provided problems, not solutions. Then when my group arrived the kitchen hadn’t started to prepare the food. My group were thus delayed. The ‘manager’ then rang me and complained about my group. Completely unacceptable service and never again. I would recommend avoiding MooChowChow.

I went to Moochowchow last night for my 6yr anniversary with my boyfriend, had read a few bad reviews online but our experience was amazing. From the moment I rang to make my reservation, greeted politely and friendly with a little banter to the table service during our visit, all of which I cannot fault.

I asked to not sit at a shared table when I reserved our table ( as most of the tables seat more than 4 people) and have a 2 seater if possible, which is what we were given-thumbs up when its your anniversary.

Swift service as soon as we sat down, I ordered a Super Squishy cocktail and my partner a beer. Waiter helped us make our decisions on what meals to share, suggested 3-4 for 2 people (3 was by far enough for 2 of us). I had read reviews about how spicy the food was so was a little anxious as I cant really handle too much spice but I didn't even have to mention it as the waiter pointed out the spicy dishes.

We opted for dried coriander spiced beef with green papaya salad, fish of the day (crispy salmon) red curry (my spice limit), a small pork hock (amazing-best dish on the menu I think and not a small portion for two people) and thai jasmine rice.

Food came out super quick which was great and it was jam packed with people. We were served the dried beef first which made a nice little starter and the other two dishes didn't arrive until we had finished, which was great as there was not really enough room on the table for all of them.

Too full for dessert, all of which sounded delicious and based on how good the mains were I would be sure they would taste great.

For $92 for 2 people it was very reasonably priced for the quality of food, service and the atmosphere. The only bad thing I could say was the small tables are quite close together so when you get up to leave you are practically on the other persons table. 9/10 for sure!

From the moment we walked through the french doors the service was fabulous. Cocktails at the bar followed by entrees, mains and desserts - all absolutely perfect. The host was all over the restaurant attending to everyone and the serving staff knew what they were talking about and recommended wines to compliment our food selections
The vibe at MooChowChow was buzzing and the restaurant was full yet we never were waiting for food or attention from the waiting staff so I give them a 10/10
We loved it so much we booked for a party of 8 to go back again for our wedding anniversary
I nearly didn't go when I read some of the reviews here so please ignore the bad reviews of MooChowChow and go and try it for yourselves

This was my second visit to Moo Chow Chow, the first being over a year ago. Then I didn't rate it at all. I felt the food was OK but not authentic Asian enough. We went back again last Friday and I am glad to see they have certainly upped their game in the kitchen. Great food - pork hock, duck roll, tofu - great service - buzzy atmosphere and very reasonable wines. I commented on the change to our waiter and he said they had made changes including more Asians in the kitchen! Well done and we will be back!

Went to MooChowChow a few weeks back the food was not up to any sort of standard let alone for the price charged. The menu was very limited and the Thai influence was not recognisable in the muddle of bland flavours. The service was terrrible. We have eaten at most Ponsonby restaurants and this is one of the worst. We really loved Rocco and enjoy most of the restaurants in this area

The food at the restaurant is highly expensive for small portions and bland food. At $70 a head, I thought MooChowChow was exorbitant compared to many other Thai restaurants. The food was also not very authentic but the service was exquisite. The main problem with MooChowChow was the price; if it was quite cheap, the food may have been worth it.

We arrived as a group of 6 at MooChowChow latish on a Tuesday after the NZ Culinary Fare prize-giving, They were very hospitable with a lovely cocktail very quickly to the table followed by an array of fantastic dishes with flavours to make your mouth go wild. The food was divine, MooChowChow ia a must to visit. Cheers guys.

Average. The food was boring. I was expecting mouth party central but was disappointed time and again. We were a party of 10 so I got to try 9 dishes and frankly, MooChowChow - you have a LOT of work to do because the main flavour I got was salt. Worse than that though the concoctions are flat and without imagination. You have chosen one of the worlds great taste palettes and you serve up this?You get a star for excellent cocktails however.Joy Bong is just around the corner.

I had high hopes for MooChowChow, which were sadly let down by the terrible service - probably the worst I've received at an Auckland restaurant in years.

Our waiter was patronising and unhelpful - aggressively questioning our food choices, not bringing us dishes we had ordered, not once asking if we wanted further drinks, coming back to the table after we'd finished dessert to (aggressively) argue with us about a tea choice.

We wanted a large dinner, and ended up sharing two small pieces of tofu, two (overrated) spring rolls, a smallish curry and two small desserts between three people.

We all left hungry and feeling like the service had ruined our evening. We eat out several times a week and were seriously surprised and shocked by MooChowChow.

after reading all the positive reviews for moochowchow my partner and I were really quite keen to check it out. I really liked rocco (and couldnt understand why it closed) but moochowchow seems to have an appeal of its own. The ponsonby villa is decked out really nicely and makes for a relaxing environment. The menu is probably unlike any thai menu you're likely to see in auckland however that said, it is super expensive so be prepared. Overall moochowchow did meet the hype and is worth the trip into Ponsonby.

fantastic Thai cuisine! After trying on 3 separate occasions finally got the chance to dine at MooChowChow and it was every bit worth the wait. Fresh food, cool atmosphere and a price tag that doesn't put it out of reach - well done MooChowChow - yet another excuse to head into Ponsonby.

Big call I know, but Moochowchow is already one of my favourite restaurants and I reckon one of the top 10 in the whole of auckland. Love thai food but most of the other auckland thai restaurants offer pretty much identical food and flavours - Moochowchow on the other hand, and the flavour combinations, atmosphere and overall service are really welcome in the ponsonby dining scene. My choices were on the money - with the highlight being the soft shell crab. Expect to pay a lot more than you would at your local thai spot (and do book), but hey, it's a hell of a lot cheaper than a return ticket to bangkok right.

Moochowchow has some of the best cocktails going! Tried the Herne Bay Cooler and the White Lady Boy - creative and tasty!
Cool atmosphere too - won't take long for the ponsonby-set to claim permanent possies here!

Went in on Saturday, awesome!Loved the cocktails, very cool names.Had the salmon betel leaves, very nice and a great mix of flavours the salty sweet and sour, and haven't managed to see anyone doing the betel leaves anywhere yet. Also I love how you can buy individual oysters, and the goat curry is the bomb!Will be heading back to MooChowChow again and again.

really really really excited about the opening of moochowchow - sad to see rocco go but hey, that's life!
Lots of good thai options seem to be cropping up - and all within walking distance!