New Zealand cuisine is largely driven by local ingredients and seasonal variations. Trying the local cuisine is part of the parcel that is travelling! why not try some of the famous New Zealand food while you’re here? Although there are so many New Zealand food we could add to this list, here are the foods you can’t miss in New Zealand!
1. Hangi
Hangi is a traditional food of Maori. It consists of meat and plenty of root vegetables such as potatoes and pumpkin. A pit is dug in the ground and hot stones are placed in the bottom, fresh off the fire. Baskets of food are placed on top of the hot stones and buried with the earth for a couple of hours, giving the food a delicious smoky flavour.
2. Crayfish
Crayfish, also known as lobster, is a Kiwi favourite mostly because it something many fishermen and divers pride on catching themselves. It is a very fresh and yummy sea food.
3. Hokey Pokey Ice Cream
Australian prefer Hokey Pokey ice cream made by combining fresh vanilla ice cream and little honeycomb pieces. Perfect in a cone on a sunny day at one of our many beaches.
4. Chocolate
In New Zealand, we pride ourselves on making some pretty decent chocolate! Given our large dairy industry, we have the luxury to make chocolate using the best milk products around. Pineapple Lumps and Jaffa’s are kiwi classics loved by many and can be brought in supermarkets and convenience stores throughout the country.
5. Pavlova
Pavlova is a traditional dessert in New Zealand, and Australia claims it as well. It is a meringue base that is filled with whipped cream and usually kiwifruit. Children’s birthday cakes are often pavlovas in New Zealand and may be decorated with candy. When looking at this cake, you must be want to eat it immediately.
6. Manuka Honey
A highly sought-after honey on the international markets, manuka honey is acclaimed for its medicinal purposes. The purer the manuka component of the honey is, the healthy (and more expensive) it is.
7. Paua
Paua is a fresh seafood in New Zealand. Paua (the Maori word for abalone) is a popular delicacy, especially because the sale of wild Paua is prohibited and recreational free divers are limited to collecting 10 per day, strictly without the use of scuba equipment (that’s cheating).
8. Roast Lamb
There are a lot of lambs raised in New Zealand, it’s not surprising that lamb is readily available to eat. Kiwi’s know how to cook em, and you will find Lamb available in many different dishes, from burgers and pies to Sunday roast and curries, a real kiwi favourite.
9. Savoury Pies
Pies in New Zealand aren’t like the sweet, sugary ones in America or other countries. New Zeland’s Pies with savoury fillings like mince and cheese, steak and cheese, and even fish pies are the go-to lunch at any gas station or bakery!
10. Fish & Chips
New Zealand’s fish and chips (pronounced “fush and chups”) are the best in the world. Considering the farthest point from the sea is only 120km away, our seafood is the freshest there is to offer. Always aim to get the local fish of the day for and don’t be afraid to try something new.