Dish Cult Dines: All you can eat at Paldo Korean Buffet
16 Jan 2023
16 Jan 2023
Auckland's ultimate guide for delicious chicken wings
Deep-fried, buttermilk-coated, skin-on, whichever way you spin it, chicken wings are the perfect snack.
A Thai take on an Korean-classic, Po Brothers’ Po Chon Chicken Wings are the perfect ratio of sweet to sour. Po Brothers takes chicken wings and deep-fries them before coating them in Bon Chon sauce–A mixture of brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and gochujang chilli paste, amongst other ingredients. The Ponsonby restaurant doubles as your next BYO spot, making it a great location to start the night and line your stomach.
One of SkyCity’s hidden gems is located on level 2. Often used to show a big game, or welcome the unlucky late-night casino patrons, Andy’s Burger Bar is a staple in the mechanisms of the Sky Tower. Their buttermilk-fried wings come in two flavoursome sauces. Firstly, the hot wings, which come in a buttery hot sauce and with a side of blue cheese. Secondly, the honey soy wings, covered in honey soy sauce, sprinkled with coriander, lemon, and sesame seeds.
Kingsland’s local sure know how to do a good wing, in fact, they’ve mastered all three of their Louisiana-styled chicken wings. The first on the menu provides a good kick without going full throttle, with blistered tomato, gojuchang chilli, and toasted sesame seeds. For those who may not handle their heat as well, opt for the burnt butter, lemon & gin sauce-covered wings. And, if you’re wanting that burning sensation with your wings, grab the Habanero hot sauce wings, with blue cheese and celery to dip. All of Citizen Park’s wings are available gluten-free too!
The chicken masters themselves, Lowbrow have five levels of spice for their free-range, organic chicken wings. Pick one (or go half/half) from Plain Jane, Lowbrow Original, Mild & Smokey, Hot Spice, or Firecracker. Available in singles, four, eight, or a full bucket of 16, and served with ranch dipping sauce, and white bread to soak up any rogue sauce and spice.
Making news for their $1 Wednesday wings, The Culpeper serves up good wings at a good price. Aside from having a prime location on the Auckland waterfront, The Culpeper is just a genuinely nice place for a casual-dining meetup or lazy Sunday afternoon. On the menu, you’ll find their infamous $1 hot wings, available every Monday after 6pm. Put your stomach to the ultimate test, without breaking the bank.
There are no better chicken wings than Korean Fried Chicken Wings. If you can look past the hot-pots and noodles on the menu and make it to the KFC page, we highly recommend the Ban Ban Fried Chicken. You’ll receive a half/half portion of original recipe and Pocha’s home-made spicy sauce, and a generous helping of pickled radish and jalapeños, to both cool and turn-up the heat.
As previously stated, not a lot beats Korean Fried Chicken. Simon & Lee brings together flavours and techniques from both western cultures and Korean culture, to create a contemporary fusion. To the right of the menu, you’ll find their chicken nibbles in four flavours: Original, garlic soy, safe spicy, and danger spicy. If you’re a little hungrier than some nibbles, grab the KFC lunchbox with Korean fried chicken nibbles in your chosen spice, pickles, slaw, and shoestring fries.
A place dedicated solely dedicated to the art of fried chicken, The Coop brings together chicken wing lovers from all across town. All their chicken is gluten-free, halal, and free-range, made with their special Jerk chicken recipe. Available in eight different flavours, including kimchi, Vietnamese, blue cheese, harissa, and original Jerk, there’s something for everyone and sides for days. If you’re strictly after hot wings, The Coop has got you covered with their no-nonsense hot and spicy sticky wings.
Don’t say we didn’t warn you… The Lumsden in Khyber Pass Road has the hottest wings in Auckland. Their Insane Wings are described as “thermonuclear”, served with a waiver for you to sign before attempting to finish your plate. If you’re not feeling up for the challenge (and we don’t blame you), go for The Lumsden’s classic buffalo wings in either teriyaki, sweet BBQ, hot, spicy chipotle maple, garlic parmesan, butter chicken, or lime and sea salt.
