A Guide To The Auckland Food Truck Scene

Hapunan meaning “dinner” in Filipino is the perfect choice for a fresh and tasty meal. Their menu usually consists of four dishes, comprising of Beef Pares, Pata Tim (pulled pork), Prawn Siomai, and Adobo (chicken thighs). Each meal has a slightly modern twist, which owners Aldrin and Laura believe further enhances traditional flavours.

The truck also offers a unique dessert called Ube Pandesal. As the name suggests, the dish uses ube, a sweet bright purple Filipino yam, to create a subtly rich ice cream sandwich. Very different yet extremely good.

Speciality: Filipino Cuisine 

The Rolling Pin’s chief dumpling artist, Gordon, has more than 12 years experience in the artistry of creating delicious dumpling morsels, so rest assured he knows exactly what works when it comes to mind-blowing flavours. In addition to their permanent locations in Ellerslie, Wynyard Quarter, and Onehunga, you’ll find this authentic Chinese food truck at many markets.

Typically, their menu consists of a pork, beef, or tofu option which all are served with Asian slaw. Each choice comes generously filled with fresh ingredients, so you can expect a some next-level dumplings coming your way.

Speciality: Dumplings

Step aside vanilla ice cream, Lalele is in town. Run by husband and wife team, Nathan and Mulan, this popular gelato caravan brings you a range of gourmet vegan popsicles, sorbet, and gelato. With their gelato flavours ranging anywhere from raspberry & rosemary to black sesame & coconut, it’s going to be an exciting experience.

Lalele creates their flavours in small batches, to give the utmost attention to detail possible, making sure you’re receiving the best of the best gelato in town.

Speciality: Gelato, Sorbet and Popsicles

Sweet As Bowl will intrigue you with their bright green truck, and reel you in with their range of incredible plant-based meals with a Kiwi twist. What’s the must-try dish you ask? Hands down the Hāngi.

Sweet As Bowl’s Hāngi comes with smoked kumara and potato, watercress, smoky cashew sauce, and cabbage. For anyone after a sweet treat, their take on banoffee pie is an absolute winner. Made using kumara, caramel, kawakawa syrup, and chocolate bits, it’s a modern (and delicious) twist on a classic!

Speciality: Plant-based Kiwi dishes

If you’re an avid fan of supermarket crumpets, take it up a notch with a batch from the Kraken Crumpets food truck. Whether you’re after a sweet or savoury treat, these guys have got you covered.

You can pick one of their simple options such as vegemite, honey, or peanut butter. Alternatively, if you’re feeling adventurous, their more extravagant flavours range from banana salted caramel to salmon cream cheese. We’ll never say no to a crumpet or 4.

Speciality: Sweet + Savoury Crumpets

No average fry-joint, this well-loved food truck brings an authentic taste of Holland to Auckland through the creation that is Dutch fries. As the Double Dutch team slice and fry the potatoes before your eyes, you might just begin to salivate.

With the options of a small cone for $6 or a large for $8, they’re a perfect choice for a solo meal or a shared snack with friends. To make the fries extra tasty, you can choose between a topping of Dutch mayo, satay, or tomato sauce.

Speciality: Hand-cut fries 

Gluten-free guys and gals, this one’s for you. Amaranto (run by innovative Italian couple, Luisa and Tommaso) have completed their mission of creating tasty gluten-free Italian cuisine. Offering risotto balls, gnocchi, ravioli, and spaghetti to name a few, their menu has every dreamy, creamy Italian dish you could want.

Of course, Amaranto couldn’t leave you hanging without a traditional dessert from Italia itself, which means there’s a gluten-free tiramisu calling your name.

Speciality: Gluten-Free Italian Food