They tell you that their portions are "sharing size" and theyre absolutely lying to you. Majority of the dishes are barely even enough for 1-2 people. Maybe im just used to my big fatso american portion sizes but I'd rather have enough food to fill me up and take home for the next day than be starved at a place where the food isnt even good Not only is every single damn dish spicy--which yeah, I like and can tolerate spice, and can enjoy it in certain situations, but every single dish you get being spicy is absurd and unejoyable, its not even the good type of spice, it just burns your throat--but the food was just plain bad too. I tried most of what came out and liked none of it. The only thing i could eat was the white rice which is pretty hard to fuck up. The food was so bad it made me throw up a bit mid eating and feel nauseous and have that about-to-puke feeling in my chest the rest of the time, which was worse than normal because there wasnt much that I ate in full and so its just pure stomach acid. The cocktails werent even good either, all the signatures were weird and the ones we got tasted bad. The servers were nice and thats about the only thing I liked about the restaurant. The place appearance wise was alright, but goddamn whoever designed the layout I guess decided to find a way to make noise echo as much as possible. I get it was busy at the time, but Ive been to busy places at peak hours that i didnt have to shout at just to get the other person to hear me. The entire floor layout was just weird in general and very crowded, not spaced out well at all. I wouldnt return to this place, mainly because theres nothing to eat for me, but I probably wouldnt recommend it either unless you like a shit ton of spice and weird meals & even weirder cocktails (What are in the photos is not all we ate, but i just took a photo of these to show how small the apparent "sharing sizes" are) read more

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Friends and family who have been in Auckland recently all recommended that we dine at Hello Beasty, and the place lived up to expectation. We made a lunch reservation for today, and enjoyed our meal so much -- slow-cooked lamb, Korean Fried Cauliflower, sashimi selection, and the astonishingly good creme brulee (not really a cheesecake as described on the menu) that we begged our way into a dinner reservation as well -- where we loved the Neko Ginger cocktail, cucumber green goddess, burrata, and stir-fried steak fillet. if only we had another day in Auckland to try more of this wonderful menu read more

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Stopped by Hello Beasty for lunch after a long flight and our first food stop in Auckland, New Zealand. If I could give 100 stars to this place I would. Incredible food, fantastic ambience by the harbor, lovely and engaging servers, and a laid back atmosphere. This was some of the best food I have ever tasted - a beautiful blend of Asian flavors with an authentic heart. We ordered the crispy soft shell crab, beasty fried chicken, chilli Sichuan noodles with tofu, mushroom xo/spinach/ water chestnut dumplings, spring onion flatbread, and crème brûlée cheesecake. Everything was divine and tasted harmonious! read more

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This place is really delicious. They have a lot of small plates which you can share with your table and lots of different things you can try and at this place really has a cool vibe. read more

Hello Beasty - Japanese Near Me - Auckland, AUK

Loved the concept of this place and was able to be seated at the bar/chefs counter upon arrival. Their dishes are mainly set up to be shared, so as a solo diner had to be selective in what I ordered. Got the Pork Belly Bao, Prawn and Crab toast and the dessert with mango and pineapple. The food hands down was amazing. Everything paired well together and I was surprised in the dessert with the mint added on top. Sitting at the bar/chefs counter q's also perfect as I got to see them preparing all of the dishes. The chef and his team work in tandem and the plating presentation is taken seriously. Saw at least one dish that was replayed as a piece of chicken fell and left sauce on the side. read more

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Hello Beasty is a posh, sleek Asian fusion restaurant by the harbor where you'll find delicious bite, a fun vibe, and decent drinks. Beasty Martini is a smooth drink is a nice take on the usual martini. Edamame is a great start and will be one of the better edamames you've had. Potstickers are delish and presented well. Pork belly gua bao has a tender fatty chew that hits as expected Prawn and crab toast a must - a very good flavorful bite Chilli Sichuan was prob the main miss - a bit bland and nothing too special Service was great. Be sure to make a reservation! Was packed at 830 on a Saturday. read more

I was recommended here by a few people during my stay. Easily, this was one of the best meals of my trip to New Zealand! Upon walking in, I noticed it was a packed restaurant, abundant with both indoor and outdoor seating options. I was sat at the bar, which overlooked the open kitchen. I loved that I was able to see the chefs prepare the food. My server was great, he recommended his favorites and how much of each dish I should order. I got the lamb shoulder with naan and it was phenomena. The lamb was extremely tender and the curry was delectable. Very glad I was recommended to here read more

Hello Beasty - Lamb shoulder - Japanese Near Me - Auckland, AUK

Hello Beastie, Hello, indeed! Snagging a seat at the hot seat- the bar overlooking the kitchen- was the ultimate insider move. Watching each dish come together in real time gave us a whole new appreciation for the craft. Every chef had their own lane, and the efficiency and focus were seriously next-level. It felt like a live culinary performance, and we had front-row seats. We started with the Wagyu potstickers--rich, flavorful, and with a sneaky kick of spice. Next up was the broccolini: beautifully charred, perfectly seasoned, and balanced. After watching a steady stream of fried chicken hit the pass, we couldn't resist. It lived up to the hype--crispy, juicy, and layered with bold flavor (yes, there's heat!). The vibe? Electric. The service? Flawless. From start to finish, Hello Beasty delivers an experience that's just as much about the energy as it is the food. Pro tip: make sure to get the sauce on the side if you're sensitive to spicy foods. Goodbye, for now. MLA read more

Hello Beasty - Full menu - Japanese Near Me - Auckland, AUK

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Make a rezi easily online, highly recommended by our guide. Was a winner. Do: everything. But we loved the prawn crab toast and the blue nose fish. Sichuan noodles - solid and generous. Ahi tartare - great spice, texture and super fresh. Check out the chilled reds - excellent, particularly the local 'Head in the Clouds'. Front of the house is warm and engaging, fun decor and energizing music. Great spot - good for all modern world food connoisseurs. read more

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what can I say? I looked at numerous guides for best food in auckland and this place came up several times so I decided to give it a try and I was not disappointed. it's definitely a place you wanna go with other people as the dishes are designed to be shareable but they made accommodations on size so I could enjoy as many items as possible on the menu. everything was expertly cooked and that fried chicken was to die for. I was hesitant about the pineapple & mango tapioca for dessert but it was perfect. that crunch was just what it needed! I truly appreciated the servers and their friendliness. sometimes as a solo traveler places can be weird about dining in but everything was on the up & up. make a reservation or get there early because it fills up quickly! read more

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Man was this an awesome meal. Sat down at the bar and just enjoyed absolutely everything. From the mixed drinks to all the food. And it was absolutely perfect. I mean take a look at these drinks. The food was awesome too. I sat down at the bar and Tony took me on a gastronomical journey. Highly recommended you just sit down at the bar and have them bring out the food. Everything was delicious and I didn't have to order a main just bits and pieces of the best of the best. I'll be back!!!! read more

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Amazing Asian fusion food, very attentive service, and a modern, down-to-earth ambiance. It's a great place for adults to hang out. If you have young kids, try fried chicken (sauce on the side), roasted carrots, and their pumpkin puree for some main dishes are amazing for the kids too. read more

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Came for drink and appetizers and was pretty disappointed with the food. The drinks were sweet, just how I like them. The food on the other hand was not great. The sashimi quality was pretty poor. The salmon tasted like nothing and the maguro was grey and there were no shoyu dishes so I poured the shoyu directly on the serving plate. Also got the potstickers which were edible with a little spice. They tried to emulate the crispy bottom from Chinese and Japanese dumplings/gyoza but ultimately the result wasn't better than what they tried to mimic. The server was nice and the space is cute with lots of natural light on the front side of the restaurant but I wouldn't come here again. read more

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Reservations are strongly recommended at this popular restaurant at Viaduct Harbor. The best service with an attentive and friendly server. We started the meal with the cucumbers; which were flavorful and refreshing. Then the Korean fried cauliflower and the Beasty Fried Chicken. Both were so good!!!! The roasted Hapuka was delicious. You can't go wrong with anything at Hello Beasty. Be sure to eat at this restaurant while you're in Auckland. read more

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Five star service right from the hostess. Food and drinks are excellent. From the Tuna tartare to the lamb. The vibe next to the wharf is excellent as well. This restaurant was recommended by DRAGONFLY part owner in Wellington. It was great. Do not hesitate to stop by and check them out. Cheers and thanks to the staff and our server from Finland! read more

Everything was perfect, delicious, friendly, welcoming, warm and lovely! From walking in to getting seated- Kammie, our server, spoiled us and fed us well. They were so accommodating to my husband who had a bad leg and provided an extra chair so he could elevate it! The food though was so delicious! The potstickers, the burrata, the soft shell crab small plates were absolutely perfection! We also had the scallops and a piece of the hapuka - too much food to eat but it was all so lovely we had to try it! Dinner was so delicious, we had to go back a second time within the week. This is restaurant should not be missed- a 10 all around! Thank you Beasty!!!! read more

Hands down one of the best restaurants in NZ. We did their tasting menu and everything was amazing from the edamame to fried chicken to the lamb. The flavor was amazing and they were always checking in on us. Perfect start to our trip! read more

Hello Beasty - Lamb with broccolini and rice - Japanese Near Me - Auckland, AUK

Everything we ordered here was so good! Only 4 stars because of the drinks. Although they were super tasty they are extremely small, we finished them after a few sips. Great service and cool little location near the water. Definitely recommend the grilled hapuki! read more

Hello Beasty - Grilled Hapuki - Japanese Near Me - Auckland, AUK

A small venue with big flavor! They pay great attention to the details, magically combining flavors into unforgettable small plates. Pro tip: sit at the counter to watch the open kitchen at work. On a busy night, it is a fine ballet of the culinary arts. A foodie's reward! read more

Terrible rude customer service! Don't expect to ever hear from them via phone or text. They charge you $50 for booking holding yet don't honor reservation. Hyped up. They were doing major cleaning while people were eating with chemicals everywhere. Will not return! Do yourself a favor and go to other restaurants such as Ada where you will be treated with respect and food is good and clean. The host especially read more

Friendly and expedient service. High quality fresh food with a twist. Cocktails were will thought it and executed.

1st, the good: The hostess, Georgia, was incredibly nice! Both on the phone, when we arrived, and when she checked on us later at the table. Our waiter was too notch, though can't remember his name. The food was excellent. We ordered 6 total plates, and there was no issues. All home runs. Thrilled to find a restaurant with these unique flavored dishes. Glad HB exists, and in such a vibrant area. Everyone* in the busy restaurant was having a great time. Now, the blaring disappointment: At one point, a busser came to remove some finished dishes from the table. If you've been there, you'll know that the high tops have very thick legged, heavy wood stools. The busser was very discrete and polite, but as they turned away to leave our table, they tripped on the empty heavy wooden stool (my companion was in the restroom) - they didn't fall to the ground or drop anything more than silverware. But when that happened, I glanced up to the chef, whom I was sitting directly across from, and he gave the most sarcastic, mean, and drawn out glare at the bus person as they recovered and walked away. That the chef did this in front of a packed restaurant was insane. It was like he was on a tv show showcasing the meanest boss. How bad was his reaction? The guy at the high top next to ours, also facing the chef, exclaimed : "Oh my god! Did you SEE that?! Chef wasn't having any of that!" The chef drama continued: as our neighbor was saying that, the chef resumed shaking his head, and looked up again to scowl at the same employee. "He just did it again!!" - we said at the same time and laughed in amazement. But nothing funny about a boss who visibly makes fun of his employees in front of an packed restaurant - for all to see. How insulting to his employees, and to the guests trying to enjoy their meals. Guaranteed that was not the 1st time he did that. *I'd say the agitated and sarcastic Chef put a black cloud over our dining experience, and surely that employees working environment. read more

Incredible in so many ways! This Asian Fusion, hipster place, deserves all the accolades it gets. I was lucky to snag a seat facing the kitchen. The ingredients and their preparation are of the highest caliber. Sitting at the bar, I can give testimony as I watched sea-fresh fish, scaled cleaned and filleted. I am coming back for the vegetable side dishes. The service is incredible, no cons! Everything is on point! read more

Amazing hidden gem! We had the KFC korean fried cauliflower which was absolutely delicious... then the Karaage chicken which is THE best most tender K-chicken ever (and I go to Japan a lot) .. also had the Crispy fried soft shell crab and wagyu beef + shiitake potstickers which were also delicious!! I would definitely come back!! read more

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5 Reasons Why I Love Hello Beasty Here are five reasons why I love Hello Beasty and why you should visit pronto! 1. The Service. From the moment we walked in, service was welcoming and friendly. Kudos to Emma Rogan, co-owner (along with award-winning chef and husband, Stu) who was running front of house - she was friendly, professional and lovely to chat with. 2. This One Cocktail. While the food was outstanding, there was this one cocktail that immediately caught my eye when perusing the menu - Heart + Seoul. Made with Hwayo Soju 25%, vanilla and rhubarb shrub, lemon and egg white foam, it was delicious, with a lovely sweet/sour combination, and hints of marshmallow. 3. The Mouthwatering Food. Their menu brings together fantastic New Zealand produce and takes inspiration from the cuisines of Korea, Japan and China. We ordered the following: Fresh NZ Oysters - shucked to order and served with fresh wasabi and pickled ginger - A GAME CHANGER! Steamed Pork Hock Buns - like pan-fried mini Baos, served piping hot with Japanese black vinegar and chili jam. Katsu Sando - think crumbed chicken breast, shredded white cabbage, kewpie mayo and tonkatsu sauce in a toasted soft milk bun. Mmm... KFC Korean Fried Cauliflower - very moreish dish (perfect batter and crisp) and would happily order it over Fried Chicken any day. Karaage Chicken - the crispiest Karaage chicken I have ever had, perfectly tender and seasoned. Wild Caught Australian King Prawns - cooked on Hibachi grill and served w/ garlic and kombu butter (amazing) and prawn oil. Spring Onion Flatbread - served with green koji, BUT better mopped up w/ the garlic and kombu butter. Heavenly. 4. The Decor / Design. Loved the vibrant decor, especially the giant pink neon Maneki-neko on the back wall. Not only is it super cute, but it glows throughout the whole restaurant. Aside from this, I also loved their menus and branding, designed by co-owner Emma. 5. The Location. Conveniently located in the Viaduct, Hello Beasty is in a prime spot. It is a great place for date night, dinner with family and friends, or even a few cheeky cocktails before you head out for a night on the town. Even though it does not have direct harbour views, book a table in their open-air courtyard and I can guarantee you will have a fun evening! read more

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What a great, creative food spot. The hostess was super accommodating to us, we walked in without reservations and she popped us up to the bar for a starter and cocktail before quickly moving us to the counter for more bites. All of the staff were nice, the atmosphere was lovely, and the food was delicious. They had a scallop special with some herb butter that was divine. The dumplings under a pancake had a nice zip to the sauce. The kebabs all looked great for those looking for a grill item. A definite pick when you're down by the harbor. read more

Amazing food. Amazing service. We sat at the bar and watched the cooks prepare everything and it was ART. We are coming back tomorrow to try more! read more

outstanding food and service although we were rushed to leave after 1.5 hrs noisy busy place. read more

Very nice, stylish and clean place with friendly staff. The dishes we had were delicious and worth the money. The staff is helpful and takes good care. This place is a clear recommendation from our side. Why no 5th star, we found the place quite noisy (generated by the guests and the lounge music). read more

Hello Beasty - Japanese Near Me - Auckland, AUK

Came for a drink just to pass the time. They were happy to seat us even though they were closing up (and didn't know all we wanted were drinks). Pretty sure they were relieved that we didn't order any food. Service was quick. Plum wine was decent. There was very few to choose from, but that's more than many other restaurants. Usually they asked how you'd like your drink (straight, on the rocks, etc.), but the waiter just bounced after taking the order. (I did forget to tell her I wanted it straight though, but still). Love the neon cat. Place was clean, good outdoor seating. read more

Hello Beasty - Japanese Near Me - Auckland, AUK

Just WOW! It's been a really long time since a I've been impressed by a meal. We had the tuna tartar, KFC popcorn cauliflower, hibachi prawns, and curry lamb shoulder. All we're incredible. Great wine options as well. read more

Hello Beasty - Logo on coasters. - Japanese Near Me - Auckland, AUK

It is a prime location. They have a hip trendy vibe in the restaurant. The menu has a lot of new and cool items that I had never seen before. They offer a lot of Vegan dishes as well. I think they just opened so some of the dishes may not be perfected yet. Some of the items were a little bland and not well seasoned. The bbq eggplant was mushy and not worth the 35 dollars. The side dishes were good especially the cauliflower and broccolini. The chili seasoning they have is also good. They also use no MSG which out of the 2 places I ate at in new zealand one used it. Nice service will need to revisit after they have been open for a while. read more

It is a great Asian fusion experience - but more sophisticated than most of the restaurants of this style. You need to try as many dishes as you can, so go with a group so you can share. Very friendly and competent service and despite being full, their service was competent and very friendly. Open 7 days as well. You definitely need to book! read more

Love this place, ate here almost everyday during our one week stay in Auckland. Love the menu, fusion of Asian & NZ . Our favorite was the charred broccolini, karaage chicken, and the slow cooked lamb shoulder. Can't wait to go back again! read more

Hello Beasty - Charred broccoli I....my favorite side! Can eat it everyday (and I did while we were in Auckland)!!!! - Japanese Near Me - Auckland, AUK

Great Japanese fusion. Highly recommend the Korean fried cauliflower, Karaage chicken, and the crispy fried soft shell crab! Very good service and nice atmosphere read more

Hello Beasty - Japanese Near Me - Auckland, AUK

This place is a hidden gem on the Auckland waterfront. Try the Line-caught Trevally for melt-in-your-mouth fresh fishy goodness. The prices are a little steep but worth it, I reckon. read more

Hello Beasty - Japanese Near Me - Auckland, AUK

What a delightful place! Great Japanese/Korean menu and beverage selections (wine, sake, beer, unique cocktails). Fine, friendly service made for a great experience. Nice setting at the marina to boot. read more

We read about this place on Heart of the City Auckland and decided to come try it out after a rainy day hike at Rangitoto Island. We (my husband and I) ordered 5 dishes: sashimi, tofu dumplings, potstickers, ramen to share, and kimchi pancake. The waitress was gonna advise against ordering this many dishes for just two people, but my will persisted. The sashimi consisted of 3 types of fish: salmon, tuna, and snapper. The fish was delicious, with flavors of koji sauce, wasabi, and xo sauce. Tofu dumplings were amazing, earthy taste with refreshing green onion twists on top. The potstickers had an amazing presentation, upside down and looking like a starfish sitting in spicy oil. They pan fried the dough to make it crispy and crunchy around the potsticker. My husband who doesn't usually eat potstickers said it's the best one he's ever had. Our 4th dish is the shared ramen cup, the cup is small but big in flavors: it had shrimp wonton, char shiu pork, and the noodles were thin and flavorful. The broth (chicken) is excellent. Our last dish is the grilled mung bean kimchi pancake, by now we were a bit full, but we still managed to savor the meaty dish and sweet mayo-bbq sauce. We go to a lot of Korean restaurants so we have tried various savory pancakes, this one didn't disappoint. I highly recommend this place to anyone who loves fusion, good cocktails (Bloody Kimchi and Bokbunjuju Bramble), and quirky/cool vibe. Were it not for our departure date being tomorrow, we will definitely come back! Our rating of all 5 dishes (compared to one another): sashimi, potsticker, ramen, dumpling, pancake Rating against its own category (eg. the Beasty ramen against all the ramens we have had around the world): potsticker, dumpling, sashimi, ramen, pancake read more

A welcome addition to the restaurant scene at the viaduct, Hello Beasty offers tasty and creative Asian fusion in both snack and main sizes. The vibe is relaxed, the decor colourful and the service friendly. Definitely worth checking out and one of the better options among the touristy and bar-laden waterfront read more