King of Skewers

The self-coronated King of Skewers definitely knows how to celebrate its esteemed position in Auckland's dining scene. Renowned for their inimitable skewers (no surprises there) and skewer style hotpot, this King absolutely rules!

King of Skewers positions itself as a cafe and restaurant, where customers can grab a delicious skewer or three on the go or sit back with loved ones over a bubbling hotpot. Cute and kitsch, they're keeping it breezy with a beachy colour scheme, pairing light woods with whitewashed walls, glossy cream tiles and luscious bamboo trees that provide a swish/sway accompaniment to your evening. Welcome to China's preened and beautiful tropics!

Sichuan/Szechuan cuisine gets a modern overhaul over at King of Skewers. Ease yourself into the evening with small plates to share like five-spice beef slices, beef lung and spiced cucumber. Then, it's time to start building your hotpot. First, choose your single or double flavour soup base, then opt for a few meats and vegetables that you can drop into your delicious cauldron.

Be as adventurous as you want. Those who want to play it safe will love the beef and lamb slices, pork meatballs, minced prawn and seafood platter. Those who wish to try something new will jump at the chance to try duck tongue, pig kidney and poke liver. Once you've designed your hotpot, let it simmer and enjoy a Wusu or Tsingtao beer whilst you wait for the flavours to mature and marinate. When it comes to hotpot, this restaurant takes the crown every time.