NATIONAL DISHES

 Hello ladies and gents this is the Viking telling you that today we are talking about

New Zealand Food You Have to Try

Trying the local cuisine is part of the parcel that is travelling! Everyone has got to eat, so why not try some of the famous New Zealand food while you’re here?

What New Zealand foods are worth taking a bite at? Let’s go over New Zealand food culture together through New Zealand famous food.

Ok, so admittedly, New Zealand is world-famous for its culinary delights, but there are certainly some meals, snacks, desserts and even drinks that Kiwi are extremely proud to claim as their own. As a country with around 15,000km (9,320 miles) of coastline, it comes as no surprise that seafood is especially a favourite among Kiwis with a wealth of shellfish and fish. Food, or “kai”, has been a significant part of the Maori culture for thousands of years so it’s a must to try a traditional Maori dish, whether it’s hangi, fried bread or kawakawa tea!

Although there are many more New Zealand food we could add to this list, here are the foods you can’t miss in New Zealand!

1. Hangi

 

Let’s start with the traditional Maori hangi! More than New Zealand cuisine, Hangi is Maori cuisine at its finest. This involves meat and vegetables slow-cooked in an underground oven. Although it was a common cooking method for thousands of years in New Zealand, today a hangi is saved for more special occasions (mainly because it takes all day to prepare!) Prepare to be overfed but extremely satisfied at hangi meals as part of Maori cultural experiences.

Where to try: Hangi is available to try in many of the Maori cultural tours around New Zealand. Check out the 10 Places to Experience Maori Culture in New Zealand for more information.

2. Crayfish

Another traditional New Zealand food is Crayfish! Crayfish, also known as lobster, is a Kiwi favourite mostly because it something many fishermen and divers pride on catching themselves. Known to cost NZ$80 for a full crayfish, it’s not exactly the most affordable food, but it’s definitely worth a try when the opportunity presents itself! Then you’ll understand why Kiwis go cray for crayfish!

Where to try: Try some crayfish in Kaikoura. Restaurants include Nins Bin, Cods & Crayfish, Kaikoura Seafood BBQ Kiosk and Green Dolphin Restaurant & Bar.

3. Kina

Ok, New Zealanders love their seafood so we’ll just hop straight onto another foodie delight from the ocean. Kina is the local name for a type of sea urchin with a hard spiky outer shell and thin fleshy (and edible) insides. It has been a New Zealand delicacy for centuries!

Where to try: Boating trips in the Bay of Islands, Kai Caff Aye in Rotorua, Seafood Bazaar in Hamilton and other fish & chips/seafood takeaways around the country.