23 Ponsonby Road,
Ponsonby
Auckland,
(09) 360 6262
The ViewAuckland Review
Vibe
The former Rocco has been transformed into a sleek Asian eatery, with shared tables and a buzzy communal ambience similar to Melbourne’s Longrain or Sailors Thai in Sydney.
Service
Chatty and sociable, but also well-informed on the menu, especially about new items just added.
Winelist
Skewed to New Zealand, but also with an impressive range of Australian and European wines, with lots of Asian food-friendly aromatic varietals like Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris. On the beer front, Kirin is on tap, and Little Creatures Pale Ale and Leffe Radieuse Belgian Strong Ale are other standouts.
Highlights
MooChowChow’s small plates to share are also available as bar snacks. Try the crispy fried eggs with coriander and ginger in a tamarind and lemongrass dressing, or the suckling pig spring rolls with lime leaf and ginger, served with a coconut chilli jam dipping sauce. One more chilled Kirin beer please…
Most Suprising Dish
Probably not surprising if you’re dining on a languid tropical evening on Phuket, but a revelation on a chilly Auckland night. MooChowChow’s red curry of stir-fried soft shell crab with green peppercorns and lemongrass could be one of the best things we’ve tasted all year.
The Bottom Line
Yes, it’s Thai food, but on a totally different level to Auckland’s other Thai eateries. Stunning flavours showcased in playful reinventions of Bangkok street food, and MooChowChow is a guaranteed diced carrot- and cauliflower-free zone.
A Reason To Return
The ever-evolving menu, and MooChowChow’s delectable cocktails. Next time we’re for plumping for a feisty White Lady Boy, zesty lemongrass and fresh lemon laced with gin and Cointreau.
MooChowChow has been reviewed by 16 users