It is a bit difficult to find a good yum char place in Auckland these days, but Pearl Garden is above average in the yum char scene in Auckland - I would rate them the best in the local area!
š„I never done an epic yumcha shot before and last weekend my wish came true! Thanks to our lovely foodie friends we got to not only enjoy some high quality yumcha at @pearlgardennz but also take some epic yumcha shots for the first time! The table we had wasn't the biggest but we sure got loads of food to binge onš¤¤. We loved their dumplings selection including Spinach Dumpling (č čé„ŗ), Prawn Dumpling (č¾é„ŗ)and Coriander Dumplingš±(é¦čé„ŗ). The Coriander one was not as bad as we thought with only a slight hint of coriander.
Their Prawn Cracker was one of our favorites with loads of prawn inside and super crispy on the outside. š® Bun was super soft and fluffy, kinda wish the filling was more runny than it was. Steam BBQ Pork Rice Rolls (åē§č ē²) was delish with good amount of fillings. We can't wait to come back again!
My favourite Chinese restaurant for over 20 years Great to see you back
Mike Moore
Everything I had today was authentic and fresh. My favorites are the shrimp steamed vermicelli rolls and salted egg yolk buns. The shrimp vermicelli rolls were soft but bouncy, with large shrimp patties throughout, the highlight was how much shrimp there was wrapped inside. The Bun filling was gooey, sweet, and savory all at the same time and there were crunchy sugar pieces to add extra texture.
I came during the lockdown and although service was a bit slow (understandable) the service was great, very friendly and helpful!
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Thought weād pop in for a well deserved yum cha date with mum, and we were seated quickly (tho this was just after 1pm) amongst a fairly cluttered room laden with tables but a busy and homey setting perfect for yum cha chats. We got the classics of course, but I do have to say everything was presented very well, very glossy and fresh looking, everything tasted very delectable and up to standard, quickly surpassing my expectations. Highlights were the classics of course (chicken feet, spare ribs), beef tendon(?) was done so tenderly, it lived up to its name š. I was very pleased with the service and food, however wish I couldāve seen more variety. Otherwise I really enjoyed my time. There is one thing Iād like to point out; both me and my mum became terribly thirsty after, to the point it was unbearable and we physically had to go and buy some drinks from countdown. My mum proposed this could be due to the heavy amounts of msg present in our meals-so beware if youāre not a fan of msg and itās controversy it carries. I definitely wouldāve considered going back if Iām ever around new market again craving yum cha, however I think Iād still pick other places over this due to the after effects of the dish.
Very quaint decor. A decent place to have dim sums at late night. They serve till 10pm but only accept order food and steam style dim sums(all $7.5) at night. Will have more choices and cheaper rates in day time(from $5.5). The chrysanthemums tea we ordered charged $2.5 each person.
Very casual and friendly staffs.
Dim sum I tried last night was okay. Maybe chef was hurried home and made them in rush which I can understand because it was 9:20 already.
The service was good ā it was a slow start but the food was worth the wait. Will definitely come back again.
Beautiful interior, lovely location too! The cutleries are just so antique and rustic. Dim sums were huge in size, they taste pretty authentic as well! Definitely coming back again!
Yum char was nice!! Often came hot / fresh. I recommend the Prawn toast, sao mai and hargow plus black sesame balls to finish! Came to about $28ish dollars including tea. A nice treat, definitely Abit pricey but relatively less so compared to Grand Park and some other dim sums I've been too. Sorry for the small photos, I ate them all xD haha - lovely lunch. Service was decent, younger staff were less pushy to getting u to buy more compared to older staff. This other older lady tho helped me out with my order by telling me not to get the squid etc - dishes such as those she said r not worth it as prices can go up to $20 per small portioned plate. Best to stick with dimsum only!! As at least the prices r more transparent :)
My go-to yumcha place, the food is pretty good(not as good as Grand Park but better than Sun World), and the service is good(topping up of tea) and reasonably friendly. Their siu mai and har gao are fantastic, as with most of the steamed dishes we tried. Pricing is also reasonable with the cost per dish on the pricing card.
A better place in the area for yum cha. I regret that all these years I just knew about this place. The place has good decoration and not big compare to another popular one in the area. However the service is a lot better and food taste better. There are so many dishes that I havenāt tried so that is my reason to go back there again :)
Amy Zhang (25% OFF Zomato Gold Code: WANS1150)
+4
Ambience 4/5
Food 4.5/5 Food is tasty
Service 3.5/5 a pushy lady trying to get us order the most expensive dish...Said no but kept pushing
3 people spent $160
The food we had was good but I donāt think there was much variation circulating the time we were there.
It was a Friday lunch so I would have thought here would be more going around so that was a disappointment but definitely a much nicer setting than sun world! If youāre fine with paying a few extra bucks then try this place out šš»
āDaileeā 25% Off Zomato Gold
+4
Havenāt been to Pearl Garden for a while due to parking but used really like their yumchar. Can get super busy from what I can remember. Came here few months back for friendsā wedding. They booked out the restaurant. Lovely traditional chinese cuisine with South East asian influence. Everything is so well cooked, seasoned and presented. Food came out really fast and everyone so full and had happy occasions.
We have been to Pearl Garden on numerous occasions for both dine in and takeaway. I suggest a booking if you are dining in as sometimes the place is very busy. When dining in, the service has been consistent and good. The wonton soup is to die for and has homemade wontons in it. We also love the chun chiew chicken and prawn fried rice.
Food, and eating environment are good. Quantity is ok, not too much. Price is a little bit expensive, and flavour is fine. Staff is friendly.
Pearl garden is one of the best dim sum restaurants in Auckland, the food is absolutely amazing and the service is also ok. It has the right amount of flavoring and the texture is awesome. The restaurant is quite crowded and sometimes food can come up a little cold, but overall I still think itās a great restaurant!
Went with friend for dinner and it turned out to be amazing. Very polite and prompt service, loved the decor. And the food was fresh, hot and gloriously delicious. Had 3 different kinds of dumplings, noodles and crispy pork. All the dishes were on the mark. Would definitely come back for more.
Probably one of my favourite places in central Auckland to come have yum Cha.
They're not as busy as some of the Chinese restaurants but the food is just as good but without the rush.
They have a great variety of yum Cha and people are friendly and prompt. The price is also reasonable as well.
Highly reccomend if you're in the area!
Itās really not hard to see how Pearl Garden has kept its doors open for over 40 years. Itās still fully packed for Yum Char every single weekend.
If you are a Yum Char connoisseur or that you think you are one. Then you need to come and try Pearl Garden. They may not offer as much variety as some of the other well known places, but they do make what they offer to the highest of standards.
Price wise, Pearl Garden is actually on the lower end compared to the other Yum Char restaurants in and around the Newmarket area.
Yum Char aside, Pearl Garden also does a wonderful a la carte menu.
All in all, it is still a pearl after all those years. They still live up to its reputation as one of the best old school Chinese restaurants in Auckland :-).
A group of my school friends and I met here for dinner on a Friday evening two weeks ago.
It was easy to find a free park close by.
We chose from one of the set menus because one of my colleagues loves squid. $46 pp If my memory serves me well. Our food was delicious with a varied selection of meat seafood and vegetables. It even included dessert.
The family are great hosts.
One of my school friends family often ate there 20yrs ago, with the same fond memories.
I recommend this restaurant without hesitation
Came here for Yum Char, really amazing selection and very good service and atmosphere for a Chinese restaurant. Looking forward to going back again and trying their regular menu.
An awesome find. Loved the yum Cha. Staff were so friendly. It was a change to see some China. Good variety of food and since we got there early, everything was really fresh.
This long standing restaurant has been around for a generation.
the owners have always been friendly and ran the place with class.
I love coming here for yumcha for the nice China and friendly staff.
Food 4/5
Service 4.5/5
Setting 4/5
Have had a lot of Yum Cha but this is easily the best we've had in Auckland.
The restaurant is very clean and the decor is beautiful.
Service is also a huge positive :)
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Looking for high quality yum cha with a range of dim sums? Located in the heart of Newmarket, this place is open for yum cha at lunch and is an authentic Chinese restaurant for dinner. If dim sum isnāt your cup of tea, you can also order off the menu for a range of Chinese dishes like fried rice or noodles.Ā
With fresh dim sums made frequently, no doubt youāll see your favourite dish roaming around. If you donāt see it, you can order it too!Ā
I personally love the āHa gowā, which is a shrimp dumpling often called a shrimp bonnet for the pastry is folded in a pleated shape.Ā
I also love the classic āShaomaiā, which is a pork and mushroom dumpling with chopped shrimp. These dim sums are usually eaten with a side of sweet soy sauce and chilli oil.Ā
Never forget to order their steamed pork buns! This is arguably their most famous dim sum enjoyed by many. Their buns are soft and fresh with deliciously marinated bbq pork stuffed in the middle - no wonder itās one of their most popular dishes!
Looking for something sweet to end off with? I personally go for the authentic egg tarts, which does its job. It sweet yet the mild savoury flavour of the pastry balances the tart. Itās best served warm and they are always baked fresh at Pearl Garden.Ā
You can find parking from numerous side streets but you can also find parking at the āTournamentā car parks around Rialto and Kent Street.Ā
Food 7.5/10
Ambience 7/10
Service 6/10
Price 6/10
OMG! The Peking duck is unbelievable!!! The chaps and I left school at lunch and had a 3 course meal and got back to school in time for 6th period. The food quality and selection is outstanding.
The Sheikh of Auckland
Instagram: @sheikh.of.auckland
I love their dim sum ,it's really traditional taste just like I had in Hong Kong,I'v been there twice with different friends and they all like it,I recommend make reservations before you go,It is really busy during lunch time!
Gotta say definitely one of my favourite Chinese food places in Auckland. They are professional, from my experiences. Great spot for yum cha although I personally hope they were open earlier especially in weekends. Food quality never disappoints here!
Great dishes for dinner too, fresh fish everytime. Ambience is quite lovely with a homey feel and good ventilation.
And very impressed with their service, especially in comparison to a lot of other restaurants with the same offering.
Came for yum cha yesterday, we were a group of 6. We made a booking at 11.30am and thank goodness we did as during the hour that we were there a line had built up outside waiting for tables. The food was quick and hot and fresh plus a good variety. However, we had to ask a few servers to give us more hot water for our tea before someone eventually did which was quite annoying but quite normal for yum cha due to how hectic it is. Overall a great experience, good prices and would be happy to go back
First time to try their yum char today and we were satisfied with the food. We had a reservation and the staff directed us promptly to our table. Normally food comes around by trolleys but the place is too congested to move therefore the staff walk around with the dim sum selections on trays. We had prawn dumplings, pork spareribs, steamed BBQ Pork buns, panfried turnip cake, almond on prawn toast, pork chive pancake, sticky rice and Chinese sausage and prawn & coriander dumplings. Generous servings of meat, succulent prawns and generally the food was tasty. The staff was friendly although they forgot the drink that we ordered. They are very busy during lunch time so booking is recommended. Will definitely come back again.
Up the stairs to the restaurant. The rotation of the varying dishes was poor. However the food was scrumptious and satisfying. Stand out dish was the salt&pepper squid, it was unlike the usual yumcha squid tentacles. Also the tofu rolls, yum!
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The first thing we noticed were the innovative plate that can become a bowl instead of the usual small bowl and saucer combo. This is sooo much more practical and less washing. This aside we were served with more innovation such as changing out the peanut dumpling with cashews and taking out the meat from the tofu skins. Impressed with 3 lots of dipping sauces that were already on the table and we did not need to ask for them. We also had chrysanthemum tea. The usual dumplings were very fresh. We especially enjoyed the deep fried squid which just came out of the deep frier to our table. Sesame balls were good but one of our party thought the chicken glutinous rice needed more flavour. Kudos to the families who have ran this place forever. There were lots of families eating here today. It was a nice atmosphere to be part of. One person said they were the usual dishes but here, they have thought about them and improved them and made them more delicious. I couldnāt agree more and will be back again.
Went there for yum char, had a reservation and walked in straight to our table no waiting! This is the first time I go to a Chinese restaurant for yum char and donāt have to wait when I have a reservation. Service was good and food was good also. As we were a table of 10 we ordered some dishes and it came not long after. Will definitely come back.
Came here for a celebration dinner. The was a bit cramped for our party of 14 on one table. I do like the Chinese decorations, furniture and decor throughout the restaurant. However, the chairs were difficult to seat around the table with so many of us.
Service was quick. Tea was constantly topped up and plates were cleared regularly.
We had so many dishes I lost count but the highlights for me were:
The starter: really well presented and had a lovely array of BBQ meats. The duck was warm and crispy and the jellyfish was lovely.
The Veges in special soup: the soup was super tasty and the Veges were on point. Crisp and fresh.
Prawn Yee mein: tasty and large portion size.
Really enjoyed the ambience and decor. Felt really authentic.
Been in this yum char restaurant a few times over the years. The waiting time in here is quite good compared to other popular yum char places. We like the atmosphere and their tea selection (I believe other yum char restaurant also have all the different tea but Pearl Garden listed all the teas+description in the menu, for me who loves tea like crazy this is definitely a plus).
The food taste are quite good too! We probably prefer this restaurant instead of other yumchar place close by. Our favourite from here will be beef ribs and sticky rice in lotus wrap. Other steam dishes also quite nice. Siomay and hargau are texture were great.
Try to be here a bit early as during peak hours restaurant got very busy and food flow got distracted. They don't really serve the food in the trolley as place quite congested. Most things got serve in trays.
The customer service is great. The location is quite good since it's in Teed Street off Broadway. The atmosphere is great. The only issue is that they do not have the teas separately.
Food was pretty good and the prawn dumplings are filled with generous amount of succulent prawns. But I always judge a dimsum place by their char siew puff and their puff was abit too yolky. Overall I wasn't totally blown away, it was just slightly above average imo.
When we wanted to take away an egg tart because we ordered too much, we were told we had to pay for the takeaway box. This is the first time I've been asked to pay for a takeaway box. It's pretty ridiculous. Given that this is not exactly the BEST dimsum place, I wouldn't go back.
I visited Pearl Garden Tuesday last week. I experienced great service, they were very attentive, and they seemed to be happy with what they were doing. The waiting time for food was also very impressive. Ā I thoroughly enjoyed the meal. Ā Dishes that stood out in particular were the Steamed Pork Balls, Dim Sum (4 pcs), Pan Fried Pork Dumplings, and Shrimp Fried Rice. The atmosphere of the place was lively, and was packed even though it was a Tuesday Lunch. The only thing standing between me giving the restaurant is the fact that the dumplings weren't that juicy. And at times it was hard to hear what the waiter was saying, due to the noise level. It also seemed as though it was rather cramped with all the tables.
The decoration, plates and cutleries are great. The dim sum is average though. Waitresses kept bringing the same items around and couldn't list the desserts available. I only saw the wide dessert selection when we went out to pay. Best to make a booking if going on a weekend.
Pearl Garden is still one of our fav place to go yum cha in central Auckland. Authentic food, great service and reasonable price. Weekend lunch time generally very busy so make sure you call them to check first.
Excellent service!
Staff were kind and unlike most yumcha places they spoke good English
Their prawn pancakes were to die for
And their icecream bowls were delicious
Shu mai and other dumplings were good also but nothing out of the ordinary
Food rotated quickly so we got to try lots of things
Also had the sticky rice w chicken- that wasnt as good as some other yumchas
Overall happy w the experience
I liked how they had an outdoor porch! Great for sunny days
Nice place, mostly good service and the price is quite reasonable. Food isn't in the wow factor, and some of it is a little too oily like the spring rolls, but it's mostly decent enough and nothing is disgusting. The staff aren't always all friendly, but they do their job in a satisfactory manner. Great place for a relaxed lunch or if you're just in the mood for some Asian food, I've been here a lot of times and I'll still be going back.
My favorite dim sum place. Always going for their dumplings, curry squid, black pepper chicken, seafoods and vegetables with oyster sauce. They are usually always busy for lunch and dinner so call to book in advance. The owner is usually present and speaks very fluent english along with majority of her staff.
Have been here three times. Like the dim sum here and the tea. But every time we came here, we felt quite uncomfortable about the service. The women who helps to take the orders is not patient.
The dim sum deserves 4-4.5 rating. But due to the poor experience, we would not go this place again.
Heard so much about this place, i had to try it myself. I've been to so many Yum Cha restaurants and this by far is my favourite. The food was AMAZING and very affordable. It's definitely a hidden gem in the heart of Newmarket. The staff was very welcoming and went beyond measures to check on all their guests even with a full house. Definitely will be back !!
My boyfriend and I wanted to go to grand park for yum cha but the wait was too long. 40 mins wait at least. So we thought we'll try somewhere else. We came to pearl garden. It was also busy but we got seats pretty quickly. The food here was surprisingly good. The tables were bit crowded (as expected) and they served the people behind us in line first. But otherwise we really enjoyed the food and will come here again.
Yumcha is very good and usually busy but they do need to work on their dinners, the food came in small portions and were very expensive whereas the taste was pretty average.
Yumcha experience 8/10
Dinner experience 5/10
Pearl garden is always busy. But, the past few times I've been there, I've managed to get a table (for 2 or 3) without a booking. So, I guess they have a pretty efficient waiting system.
Their dim sum is not the best that I've tried but it is okay. I didn't particularly enjoyed their Loh mai fan. But then again, I don't really like that dish to begin with.
Their cheong fan (with Yu char Kwai) was delicious - that's probably not the correct way to describe it but I'd recommend you try it.
Also had their cha siu puff (basically a pastry version of the Cha Siu bao. The fillings not bad, albeit the pastry was quite big and not as delicate as dim sum should be.
We had a mix of good and bad service from the servers working there. The food took some time to come over to our end (we were placed on the balcony), and sometimes they even deliberately choose to skip our table). Not sure why.
All in all, go there to fill your tummies with decent food, but not for a mindblowing dim sum experience.
We came here for yum cha last Sunday. The place was packed! It was even busier than I remember.
We choose a few dumplings and we ordered a few dishes. They were all really good! The service were fast and efficient. The only complaint i had is the fact that we got kicked out after 1 hour. From memory pearl garden was the only yum cha place i know that serve good food and that you can eat in peace with out being rushed or have this fear of being kicked out after an hour. I understand the place was really busy and they are probably keen on having faster turn over which means more money. It seems to be common practice with most popular yum cha places.. But it doesn't make it less annoying! I would have given the place a 4.5 if we weren't pushed out of the door after 1 hour.
Will i go back? Probably yes because the food is actually pretty good. But i will probably be annoyed next time too!
One of the best places in Auckland to go for Yum Char (if you can get a table)! Have all the favourites plus a good selection of tripe and other specialties. They also take orders so if you want something you can't see then they will make it for you :)
A Hidden Gem in the heart of Newmarket! We only found this place through an associate who makes a monthly visit here & we have also made it a monthly place to visit which is well placed next door to the Nespresso shop which is great. I recommend calling a head to book a table as this is a busy little place & you could be waiting a while if you just try & turn up. The food here is tasty & lots of choices to choose from. Reasonably priced too. Service is also very prompt . Weekends have to be their busiest times as we go on a Sunday and it is generally packed.
Went here for yum cha first thing on a Saturday morning. The food was good and there was a lot of it. Only disappointment was only steamed yum cha came out while we were there. If you are going to try this place, make sure you go about an hour after they open so you can get a mixture of steamed and fried.
I eat yum char 2-3 times a week, and have been all of gem from the shore all the way to papatoetoe. This is by far the best and my favorite. They don't have a lot of that weird Chinese innards and stuff I like. However their typical dimsums are with care. A lot of the dish contains finely chopped garlic which brings out even more flavour. Prawn dumplings 5/5 here. Parking a bit annoying but isn't a big deal.
Food Quality: 5/5
Food Quantity: 5/5
Environment: 4/5
Wait time: 3/5
Price Range: $25pp
Pearl garden is a must do for everyone who loves a bit of Chinese cuisine for any occasion! this place has the most amazing menu that is affordable and tasty! i will always regularly go here with work mates on my lunch break and even for dinner as its such a quick and easy service, the environment of Pearl garden is warm and cosy and tucked away for a getaway experience, a meal i would definitely recommend would be there prawn dumbling and coriander prawn dumbling. Also for a sweet tooth you must try there ice cream balls! so yum, would 100% recommend coming here, my reasoning behind the 4.0 rating is because although the staff, food and environment is amazing the restaurant can be quite packed around lunch time and often the staff can bring the meal delayed by at least 25 mins or so, so if you're a person who would be bothered by that i recommend going just after peak time around 12:30 is the peak hour for being busy there! other than that great place to go with friends and family!
I've been here a few times for yumchar and it's always been a great time. The food is delicious, great vibe- always busy and lively and service has been good as well. However, my family and I came here for dinner tonight, and the poor dinner service was a dissapointing start, no one came over with menus or drinks or anything. After they kuffufle, we finally ordered and when the food came out, it made the dinner experience better. The food was delicious, everything was so flavoursome and the portion sizes were good. I definitely would come back again and I hope the poor service at the start was just a one off
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More than just a Yum Cha place...
Have been here several times for yum chaĀ over the last several years and always had good food served. I get that most people expect attentive staff etc... but given the hustle and bustle of the place and rapid turn over if you are expected to be waited on hand and foot, you should probably go somewhere else.
However never been here for dinner until a couple of nights ago..
The place was not too busy but full enough to give it a little buzz about the place
We had for entrƩe some of the steam dumplings which were the yum cha dishes and as always very well made.
For mains we had the lamb cutlets which was served in a dark sauce and brought to the table on a sizzling pan which added to the theatre but did leave all of us getting splattered a little by the oil. In addition we also had the beans in XO sauce and the soft shell crab. All dishes were cooked really well with excellent flavours of China. The crab was exceptional in the crispiness and seasoning which made it the dish of the meal
Overall a very good meal which was a nice surprise
A very nice place with elegant decoration and atmosphere. Feel so relax once step in the restaurant! The ladies whom we believe are the boss are so nice as well!
Among those we tried, we love the shrimp rice noodle roll the most!
Pearl Garden is a Chinese restaurant located in New Market. The interior is nice and staff are friendly. We went there while there was only one other table so there weren't any trolleys being pushed around but we could order from the menu so everything was made fresh. The waiter forgot one of our dishes but we were too full to finish it anyway.
Took family for Friday evening meal. The dumplings and BBQ pork were really good, as was the fried rice - kids loved it. Would return again in a group or with family.
I've been here a couple of times for dinner and the food is really delicious and not overly pricey which is good since our family likes to eat a lot. Been here once for my first yum cha experience and it was fairly decent. The staff weren't too nice and my friend asked one of the waitresses if we could get some cold water and she just told my friend to get it up the counter ourselves which was a bit rude, I personally do not mind getting water myself but the woman sounded very rude and careless.
I think it is quite an impressive Yum Cha restaurant overall. However, Shao Loong Bao is dry that needs improvements. If not because of this, my rating will be 4.
This is fantastic Yum Cha! The service is great. They always are close by with a smile if you are needing more food. One of my favorite local stops. You want to have an empty stomach coming here, you won't be disappointed. #gidschallenge
Service: 7/10
Food: 6/10
Cleanliness: 8/10
Value for money: 7/10
Overall: 7/10
Came here for yumcha. Wouldn't say it's the best place for yumcha but it's definitely up there.
Pretty good Yamcha however a little "Hyped Up" as to being the best one in town.
Don't expect to be able to walk in for breakfast on Saturday or Sunday morning. This place needs breakfast reservations so plan your weekend breakfast accordingly.
Absolutely beautiful food so much variety, quick friendly service, I would defiantly recommend the golden custard balls and the ice cream balls for anyone who has a sweet tooth
5/5 amazing
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I would have regarded Pearl Garden to be one of the better yum cha venues in Auckland and in my top 5 for over a decade. Will always be a fond place as here and One Tree Grill had meals with a former workmate sadly now deceased.
The place was busy before 12pm but it was a sunday and it was a lovely sunny winters day in deep and dark July (hehe). My mum had wanted and outing so she choose yum cha. Again I know its a place she holds in high regard.
The dishes were up to a very good standard each one was faultless. From simple prawn dumplings in glutinous rice to the more acquired taste for marinated steamed chicken feet or turnip cake squares. All 3/5 to 5/5 as dim sim dishes go bar one dish.
What was a let down is the reputation was built on a better than the average selection at yum cha. However it was well short of my expectations. In fact most items were the common dim sims that you can get easily and of a good standard at most other yum cha outlets in Auckland. I was surprised as the same stuff circulated three times that I noticed. It's probably fine for some westerners who won't be too adventurous unless with an Asian diner. Some dishes were only on a order such as glutinous rice rolls with prawn pieces call Cheong fun. That is not the norm in Auckland.
Service staff were mainly young staff and had good English. They were mandarin speakers mostly some had cantonese chinese. Instead of trolleys staff carried the dim sim baskets on trays so to move between the tables. It gives you an idea that the popularity of PG meant tables were close together as trolley width aisles were not viable. Also there is a change in level when you head out to the tables on the covered deck.
Final disappointing service act was to bring a derp fried dish ( see final pic) that was very cold and as it was an order should have been heated specific for a table. It was a sure case of being palmed of a cold dish at least five mins after leaving the pots or fryer. It also was poorly prepared as it should have had a coating of sesame seeds on the crust thst was quite sparse.
Could have/should have been a 4.5 -5 out of 5 yum cha venue. 1/5 pt off for the cold dish serving and a point for the over simplified food options. Won't be rushing back given there was no standout dishes and mediocre service and probably outside my top 5 now. Was not cheap but never was for the quality and point of difference you once got. Child friendly rated 4/5 can get noisy if baby asleep; staff were mindful not to serve steamed food next a baby in a high chair.
RIP Panu.
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This is easily my favorite and the best Yum Cha restaurant in Auckland. Mabel and her son Chris are fabulous hosts and always make you feel welcome. When dining for Yum Cha I prefer to sit out on the terrace, this gives you a good view of all the action.Ā
All of the dumplings on offer are very tasty, the pan fried pork dumplings are a must, along with the bbq pork buns which are fluffy pillows of heaven. If you are a duck fan, the duck dumplings are fantastic. There are a variety of prawn dumplings all of them bursting with flavor so go ahead try them all. Their fresh fruit juices are great, watermelon is my go to.Ā
A little secret, you can order peking duck dim sum, it's about 6 or 7 pancakes filled with peking duck, onions and hoisin sauce. This is a nice way to get a little taste of their famous peking duck. Now I say famous because it is probably the best peking duck outside of Hong Kong that I've ever had. The skin is always crispy and the meat is moist, cooked to perfection and full of flavor.Ā
So, not only is this a great place for Yum Cha it is also a great place for dinner. I recommend ordering the Peking Duck in two courses or all the courses if you have a big party. The two courses are the traditional peking duck served with pancakes, stripes of carrot, cucumber and onions and of course hoisin sauce. The second course is San Chow Bow which is diced duck meat cooked with vegetables and deep-fried vermicelli, served in lettuce ābowlsā with more of that tasty hoisin sauce.Ā
Both portions are quite large so if it is just two of you dining then you will definitely have leftovers for lunch unless you are like me and end up eating it when you get home, even though you are incredibly full and about to burst.Ā
I highly recommend visiting Pearl Garden on a Saturday or Sunday morning, or any day of the week for that matter, it is a great way to start your day :)
YUM CHA - This restaurant is hidden down the back streets of New Markets popular shopping lane Teed St. In fact its above Taylor Boutique, Up a pokey staircase. You'll find it always super busy. So take your luck if you dont book. The waiters don't speak a lot of english but thats across the board. The food is like any other yum cha restaurant - super yum, but dont gorge yourself like I usually do - cause you end up overfull and leave rather sick. The decor is old but Chinese and appropriate.
Been to Pearl Garden a number of times over the years now. Quality of food is never a let down. A great selection of tasty and authentic dimsims, great environment, great service. I can see why this place is booked out most weekends.
Finally a yum cha place that impresses on all levels. The food was outstanding, definitely one of the best in Auckland, service was super helpful and quick, and the interior straight out of Hong Kong.... Normally yum cha houses get either the food or the decor right (or neither) so I was ecstatic that the stars aligned here, but also disappointed that I hadn't been before! We had all the usual dishes, couldn't fault any of them, loved the atmosphere, and even though they looked full they got us to a table fairly quickly. The hidden yum cha gem of Newmarket...
This is a great 'go-to' yum Cha place in Newmarket and despite some reviewers finding it not as authentic as other places (maybe because everyone speaks English), and pricey, I still feel this is still a great place to come for consistent food and service. Ā
As a rule for this place however, we do tend to just order the dishes we want 'just in case' the item we're craving doesn't roll around for whatever reason.
Our favourites include,Ā
- prawn and coriander dumplings
- a variety of the duck dumplings (you definitely have to order these)
- spicy squi
- prawns and spinach
As a rule of thumb, always grab a beer with your yum cha, it helps wash down the chilli and salt flavours!
This place is one of my go tos. Reliable and pleasant asian food that's of a good standard. I always leave as full as can be! Pricing reflects that of newmarket and it's convenient - if you can get a table during the rush!
Tried pearl garden the other day as I was craving yumcha baaaadly. Service is okay - hard to get their attention but they are polite. 9/10 of them can speak fluent English too which made it a little easier here as opposed to the Chinese restaurants in East Auckland.
Food was good - Came a little towards the end of the lunch service so trolleys were not roaming around anymore. We ordered a few dimsum dishes and they all came quickly and extremely hot. Personallyl, I feel that pearl gardens dishes cater more for the westernised population, as some do not taste as authentic as other restaurants; food is definitely still good though. I highly recommend their dumplings!! The pastry is delicious!
I wouldn't be in a rush back, only because there's so many places that I would rate higher within the same price range.
Work above Pearl Garden. Been here a dozen times and have had fantastic meals each time. Affordable and great staff. Busy restaurant tucked away on Teed St.
We stopped in for dinner. A group of 30. It's been sometime since I've been here. The food is well priced. Great flavours and tastes. We ordered collectively and after around 30 minutes of wine and conversation a stream of food arrived that kept all diners eating and talking. I am really surprised that they were able to put out so much food with well timed delivery between plates. What a great place to eat, what a great night out. This is definitely a place to stop in for dinner. It's upstairs with lift and stair access. The place is clean tidy and beautifully presented. It was Ā a pleasure dining here.
Lovely Chinese restaurant with a cozy and relaxing feel and a balcony upstairs. A little on the pricey side but is expected for fine dining and the food here is consistently well-made and beautifully presented. Have taken my partner here a couple of times and enjoyed dinner here.
Very good for Yumcha lunch. We chose here if around Newmarket. Maybe the best in Auckland. The service is sometimes not so quick when they are too busy as in the weekend, but some of the staff attentive enough.
In Auckland quite a few yum cha place are too pushy and we feel like we have to eat and eat without stop. Too many Chinese restaurant bring food all at once. But Pearl Garden has somewhat Western style of service so we don' have to be so rush.
I love their deep-fried squid, soya noodles, prawn dumplings, and pork buns. They serve yum cha in the evening also but I recommend the lunch that is less pricey with more menu.
Went there for yumcha and it was packed during the weekend. One of my favourite yumcha places in Auckland. Service was excellent. There was a period where they hide their food hygiene grading, and I stopped going there for around half a year. Happy to see them displaying the A grade certificate again.
Went for lunch today.
Authentic, busy and very good. Waiters zip around with steamed bun and dim sum, and you just pick what you want. You can also order from a main menu too.
We had fried squid, coriander dumpling, scallop dumplings, duck in lettuce and two beers and it came to around $60. Good service, exciting eating experience, and full of chinese people, so it must be pretty good!
I would book in advance as we had to wait 15 minutes for a table. It would be a fun place to go with friends for lunch.
I've read the reviews and felt I should set the record straight, the food is great and the staff are very pleasant. Pricing is reasonable, the place wouldn't always be so full most days around lunch time if they weren't doing a good job.
Don't listen to the narrow minded noddy's, you need to try it for yourself. They look after us just fine.
Pearl Garden has been my favourite Chinese restaurant for a long time.
I love visiting Pearl Garden. It has been a while, but everything met my expectations as per usual, the options come around regularly but not so much that you feel interupted, the prices are fantastic, the flavours delicious. 2 guys and 1 girl filled up for $38.
My improvement suggestions are: have more space between tables, and while most customers are of Chinese origin, a bit better english would assist in understanding the less obvious dishes.
Another delicious meal, "Sheh Sheh" :)
After reading a few of the recent reviews we were a little wary about coming to Pearl Garden but the meal we had tonight was excellent. We had a Spreets voucher - and were not treated any different to any other guests. It sounds as though some of the confusion lies with there being two menus - the 'tapas/yum char' menu - and then a full menu. Some meals are on both however those on the 'tapas' menu are understandably smaller. We chose items off the tapas menu and were really pleased with the size of each dish. The Crispy Beef and Chun Cheiw Chicken is absolutely recommended. This is definitely not the cheapest Chinese restaurant in town - but we didn't expect it to be. We really couldn't fault the food, the service or the whole experience. Will definitely return!
I had yum cha at this restaurant with my friends and I really like the food. The restaurant was very busy and beautiful.
My favourite yum cha and have been coming here for years. Usually very attentive service and good quality hand made dim sum (served steaming hot) with a very clean environment. All staff speak English well which is a plus! Reasonably priced as well which makes this place a good regular. Highly recommend the egg tarts baked fresh and the golden custard buns - nowhere else has molten custard buns like pearl garden!!
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Another Yum Cha restaurant in Auckland, located in New Market. Nothing compares to Yum Cha in Hong Kong and China, but hey, its New Zealand.
Came here some time ago with my Mummy and little brother, the decor of this joint has a traditional Asian feel, yet contemporary and modern - I quite like it a lot. Mummy knew the lady that runs this place, so we got some sweet discounts and special treatment (hence the reasonable rating) Food is good, from what we chose to eat, but you could tell that somethings that isn't normally 'Yum Cha' dishes looked a tad off or over cooked, such as the BBQ dishes.
As an customer, if Mummy didn't know the lady, I would of had an horrible experience here. Looking around, you can see staff members being rude to customers and lacking in communications with non-Asian speaking customers. They were not attentive enough, seeing some people with empty teapots while staff just stand around.
Don't get me wrong, this place is beautiful with tasty food, but the staff do add a lot to the experience. I don't know, I think I need another experience here but with different people to give a better opinion I presume. Mixed feelings.
Genie @ BunnyEatsDesign
+3.5
I have had yum cha at Pearl Garden a couple of times this year with both friends and family. Pearl Garden has been around for a long time and their Newmarket location means they are often busy.
Pearl Garden have all the classic yum cha dishes and also some other dishes that are not usually served at yum cha such as BBQ meats. I find their roast duck to be disconcertingly chewy. Perhaps it has been sitting around for some time? They are not a BBQ restaurant so perhaps we shouldn't have got the BBQ duck.
The dishes that come around can be random and sometimes the dish you want never turns up and the dish you don't want comes by many times. The service is good, with our teapot being filled many times during our visit.
Their website looks great is a lot more contemporary than the style of the food and restaurant, which looks traditionally Chinese just like it might have looked during the '90s or '80s.
The price is good value, around $14 per person for a very filling brunch.
We were quite lucky that we had yumcha here almost at the end of the lunch hour. First off, I think this place looks grand. Iāve only been to a few Chinese restaurants and this is probably the one that paid lots of attention to aesthetics. I appreciate that.
My friend actually suggested we come here because she likes the deep fried squid and I found out for myself that it's really good. They have a good range of yum cha food that was well presented. I came with friends and we also liked that they let us split the bill.
more on: http://sweetsandbrains.wordpress.com/2013/09/12/yumcha-adventures-pearl-garden/
One of our favourite Yum Cha haunts, this place is always packed (make sure you book!). The dumplings are wonderful and we often go for Chinese greens with oyster sauce, dumplings and their divine spicy squid. Perfect way to split up a heavy days shopping in Newmarket. For a full review and dish recommendations, go to http://cheapeats.co.nz/pearl-garden/
Had dinner here. We ordered 2 claypots (tofu, eggplant), sizzling beef and roast duck. Everything was so delicious! Portions were large and filling. Our family loved it! Prices are on the higher end but definitely worth it. Will be back again.
The dim sum here is great. Loved their bbq pork buns and pineapple buns, both were fluff and of good quality. Wouldn't recommend their roast duck, will instead order more dim sum dishes next time. Customer service isn't great and the dishes are a bit pricey, but still 5 stars as it's the best dim sum place in Auckland.
November 2022: Took parents here as they never been to this restaurant before. With paper menu, pricing is much more transparent. Food was good; although a prawn dumpling kinda tasted like it had a bit of detergent in it? The food arrives quite quickly. Staff present at the time were nice... 3 stars.
January 2023: Much improved. Went here on weekend with 10 others and we paid $30each which was reasonable. I enjoyed all the dumplings, prawn on toast, sticky rice, and desserts. Everything is delicious. Just teapot needs to be filled up more often. 4 stars
Quality restaurant for Yum Cha in Newmarket. We come often as a team for lunch. They have a good variety on offer and the custard buns are a must if you have a sweet tooth. It's recommended to book ahead, as they always seem to be busy. Service is always excellent. Edit: Prices have gone up significantly, service not so much
Dined here & ordered for take away. Great experience either or food is always top notch!
My family were able to get a taste of some of my fave dishes from here.
Shao Mai,
steam beef balls with fu jung, prawn dumplings,
Custard buns
Egg tarts
Pan fry dry shrimp rice roll
Steamed pork spare ribs
And the feedback was great! Thank you Peter and the team here for providing great food and service.
We came from Hong Kong and we want to say itās so good and even better than many of the dim sum places in Hong Kong!
We traveled to NZ for vacation and saw many good reviews online for this place so we wanted to try how authentic the dim sum in Auckland can be. And it didnāt disappoint! We ordered turnip cake, siu mai, bbq pork rice roll, prawn toast, tripe. And everything tasted amazingly delicious. The ingredients were fresh and the portion was large! I had never seen a prawn toast with so much prawn paste! The price was very reasonable and we were very happy having such good quality and traditional dim sum while away from home.
Had yum cha here not too long ago. There was a crowd but not overly crowded. Sitting arrangement was good and spacious. It was comfortable. Service was as expected. We enjoyed the food. It was a good place for yum cha. If you are keen on yum cha you may like to pay this restaurant a visit.
Pearl Garden Yum Cha in Newmarket, Auckland, deserves an enthusiastic 5-star rating! From the moment we stepped in, we were treated to impeccable service by a friendly and attentive staff. The variety of dim sum and dumplings they offer is simply exceptional, bursting with flavors that attest to the quality of ingredients used. What truly stood out was their extensive tea menu, which perfectly complemented the meal. We can't wait to return for more delectable dishes and delightful moments!
THE BEST Yumcha ever!š„ šš¤š„¢
We ordered a variety of different dimsum, sticky rice and vegeterian spring rolls. Soooo yum. Highly recommend š
Delicious yum char! With friendly service. The setup reminds me of dim sum places from South East Asia. From the hipster streets of Newmarket to Hong Kong - you are transported instantly when you enter Pearl garden Restaurant.
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What we ordered:
- Golden custard buns
- Egg tarts
- Steamed prawn rice roll
- Steamed chicken feet
- Prawn Dumplings
- Mini Shanghai buns
The golden custard buns were so fluffy and not too sweet but the custard was thick and just the best thing I've ever tasted. The egg tarts were also amazing with flaky pastry and this soft silky texture. It was just so good!
The prawn dumplings (har gow) and steamed prawn rice roll (cheung fun) weren't that different but in both cases the prawn was so bouncy and delicious. The rice rolls come with this sweet soy sauce and they are extremely slippery and extremely worth it.
The mini Shanghai buns (xiao long bao) didn't have as much soup as I thought they would but they were so juicy and flavourful, the wrapper is soft and slippery and the meat just has this incredible bite to it and all of the juice just runs out of it (it's wonderful. And last but not least, the chicken feet were good, it was the first time I've ever had them but my god they are a pain to eat.
Pearl Garden Restaurant was a perfect spot for post work dinner en route home, as a hankering for Chinese food was had and we were most fortunate to get a table walking in as there was a large group function. The staff were most inviting and attentive to us and we were promptly seated and served jasmine tea.
To share, we ordered Steamed Pork Balls, Panfried Pork Dumplings with condiments and these were succulent and delicious like having yum char at night. Our mains were Crispy Beef, Chicken & Pineapple and Shrimp Fried Rice and these were most satisfying and exceptional.
Our overall dining experience was wonderful, the restaurant was bustling and the ambiance was lively as you would expect with any great Chinese restaurant. The service was extraordinary! Highly recommended with distinction!
One of the oldest Chinese restaurant in Auckland.
Clean and cozy environment. Foods are good and friendly service. Reasonable price in Newmarket area.
one of the best yumcha in auckland, delicious and very consistent every time I eat here. would recommend booking in advance as they are very busy during lunch time!
Eric Chou儧å
čåƶå„
+5
Fantastic!
I have found myself another paradise!
Love love love
Of course this is definitely not like my all time love 928 Dominion Road "where has already gone"
Pearl Garden absolutely my new love in the Central auckland.
I love the way how they demonstrate the old Cantonese authenticity including the table wears.
Business is so packed! No reservations no tables.
Everything was good. The only one star down from food as we found our other local restaurant has better flovour chicken feet to our taste. Otherwise everything is flavoursome.
Beautiful decor in a central location. Very easy to get to. This place is pumping! Excellent service and top notch food which attracts a huge crowd during peak hours. Of the many yum cha restaurants we frequent, Pearl is definitely very high up the list. Make sure you book in advance as this restaurant is extremely popular and walking in usually results in a disappointingly long wait. Great prices and outstanding flavours. Will definitely be back very soon. (One star down because I saw a waiter leave the bathroom without washing his hands...)
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