This place is my go-to for Korean food. I've tried many korean places and this is still my favorite place that can't be topped. Service is always fast. Standard clean dining. Reasonable price. Delicious food. In the pic: sizzling bbq pork, sizzling squid, and sides. The pic doesn't do the food justice!
BBQ beef was flavorsome, chicken soup was really unique. Service was great.
Another awesome Korean establishment that has been around for ages so you can be assured they know what they are doing. A great place for seasoned and new Korean foodies alike.
I am a loyal customer to this
Tried the spicy beef soup, the chicken soup, and the spicy rice cake. They were all delicious and I liked how the shared dish was served first before our mains. Portions are generous and staff members are really friendly.
This restaurant has been established for over 10 years, offers an excellent variety of Korean dishes.
Ordered the BBQ squid and BBQ beef. Both had a decent portion and authentic flavors, the rice however was slightly cold. They only offer 4 side dishes: kimchi, sweet potato, seaweed and fish cake, but they all taste very authentic. All sides are refillable.
Friendly staff and attentive service.
Decor and cleanliness could be improved.
Taste: 9/10
Presentation: 6/10
Service: 9/10
Ambience: 5/10
Value for money: 10/10
Price $15 per person
Probably my go to for Korean food. Full of flavour and good value for money. Service is good.
- Nice spacious area
- Nice view depending on where you're sitting
- I didn't have to wait long so customer service was good
- the Korean beef was really hot (temperature)
- the side dishes was alright but the sweet potato side dish was the best 😍
- Price is the best compared to other Korean restaurants 👍
Always good food and fast service whenever I go here. Food is cheap and come in decent sized portions. My go to is the spicy pork which is how it sounds. My boyfriend usually gets the cold noodle which he says tastes like his childhood so it means it’s good I guess :)
Great to visit during any time of day but especially during the evening! The staff get you involved in the final steps of the hot pot cooking process, bringing the boiling pot to your table, and happy to accomodate for the seating needs of large groups.
Nol Bu Ne is one of our regular restaurants. I really liked the side dishes, especially the potato. My favourite is the salmon bento box. It is good value. The BBQ beef was a bit too sweet for my liking. One of the staff gave me two posters at the counter which really made my day!
Got a large takeaway order here recently and it was fantastic! The kimchi fried rice was nice and spicy and the kimchi pancake was perfectly crisp! A regular spot when I need my Korean food fix.
Go to Korean restaurant in central Auckland - really affordably priced, tastes delicious and is accommodating for dietary requirements. I got the kimchi jjigae (stew) with pork and also asked for it to be less spicy. It tasted fantastic, and I really liked the banchan (side dishes) they served also. I just hate the elevator you have to use to enter the restaurant cos it takes ages to arrive. I need to try some other dishes but this one is so yummy that I just keep getting it 😍
Great service, honestly really kind owners who greet you beautifully. Their food is also exceptional, i would say the food can sometimes not taste 10/10 (more like 8/10?), but that’s probably because I’ve had home made korean food). The space in their restaurant is very very spacious so for a large group of friends or a family night out, Nol Bu Ne is a great choice! The prices are uni-student and budget friendly too!
This is my favourite Korean restaurant in Auckland. So yum.98%of the time I get the al-tang but when I’m feeling a bit adventurous I’d pick something different from the menu and it’s never disappoint. But quick tip: if you or you know someone who flexes about how much spicy food they can eat take them here and order the spicy pork but make it spicy spicy id like to see them flex after eating that
I ordered the dolsot bibimbap- this is my first time trying bibimbap from a restaurant as I normally eat bibimbap at home often. I really liked the amount of spicy sauce they had in the dish & the egg on top. However, I do wish they had a brown rice option which is why I have given it 4/5 stars. I also really liked the side dishes but felt like they were pretty stingy with the potato side dish as they gave us literally 5 pieces... the prices here are pretty good & the serving sizes are pretty decent.
Nol Bu Ne has been around for the longest of time. Can’t believe their consistency over the years. Good service. Good food. Good value. Good variety.
What else could you ask for?
(Other than probably a restaurant freshen up. Deco/ambient feels a bit tired)
Nol Bu Ne is an absolute experience. A dramatic entrance, eccentric decor and delicious food. The staff dealt well with our large group who had an enjoyable evening there recently.
Your standard taste and service - but would still recommend others to give this place a try. It’s located upstairs and honestly the lift area looks dodgy as. Once you’re in the restaurant it’s actually not too bad- could do with a renovation but at least there’s plenty of spaces.
I’ve been here previous quite often, and recently just decided to do a proper review. It has increased in price over the last year but that’s nothing unusual. Food was a decent portion, price is cheaper than competitors, taste was decent, and I love their generous side dishes!
This place is a hidden gem, the food is delicious service is good and the staff are polite. This restaurant could have a lot of potential if only it had a easy to find entrance. My all time favourite is fried dumplings and barbq pork with of course Soju ;))
Average level Korean restaurant and business was quite good. Service was not bad and the food such as BBQ beef rice and chicken soup tasted nice. The side dishes could be refilled which was really good.
This place has potential to be so much more. And get more food traffic, maybe a bit more decor and maintenance along with some very special dishes you cannot find elsewhere in Auckland. I really do hope this place picks up!
Such a great selection of Korean food! The steam boats are so tasty and so are all their different sizzling plates. We’ve dined here on quiet Sunday nights and have been here for BYO once. Everyone was so happy with the food and great service!
This is a place I’ve been going to for years. Since high school. The food here I find delicious. Prices are reasonable, side dishes are quite small. Love the place overall
Great for a late night meal. I love the kimchi pancake and kimchi tuna hotpot. The prices are very reasonable for the portions served. The staff can occasionally be a little abrasive. Extra points for being open late = )
The service is great and fast! Good variety of food options and is all great quality too. The price ranges are from $10-$20 for a single dish and $30-$50 for a hot pot that feed up to 2-3 people which is pretty good for the prices.
Amazing food and friendly staff. I love the fried pork dish-super delicious and their Bibimbap. Ideal for dinner or group meals. Totally worth it. 😋👌
A warm atmosphere, love the setup of the place and the food is pretty affordable. Everything about this place screams inviting except the entrance which is quiet shady since I used to enter through that stairway thing but now I think they blocked that area off and elevators are the only way in so it’s not a bother anymore. Definitely give this place a go :)
The food is good , the waiting time is pretty short , friendly staff and the environment is nice and clean. Hahah n the best part is the dodgy elevator.
Went for dinner here and the food is amazing. I had the dolseot bibimbap, my mum had the grilled flounder and we shared a seafood pancake. The flounder was delicious and moist not over cooked. The bibimbap was delicious with a really well balanced sauce. The seafood pancake was hands down the best. It was massive and super crispy, it tasted like they may have fried it in butter. The portions were very generous in fact I probably ordered too much. The only downside was it was quite warm in there like there was no air conditioning, but the food and atmosphere made up for it. The staff were all very attentive. My mum knocked her drink and within seconds one of them came over with a cloth to clean it up. Overall an awesome experience, really well priced delicious food, I highly recommend.
By far the best Korean BBQ in New Zealand, and trust me I've been to them all. You are greeted by a friendly staff that takes you to your table, given water and menus. Food is 10/10 at 11/10 prices. You pay little for a big quantity and good quality food. I will say the toilets are quite dodgy but that's ok with me. For my fellow white people, you need to ask for forks haha I recommend the JAP CHAE BAP
This is one of the most affordable Korean places I’ve seen. It’s a prime location, really close to Queen st. shops and a short walk for the university facilities. Whether you decide to take the elevator or the stairs up, both are rather dodgy and don’t create the best first impression however the restaurant itself is very clean and I think the last time I checked they had a 100% A rating on hygiene. I alway get their cheese dukbokki which is $13 and it goes great with a bowl of rice or the rice from a bibimbap.
Good, tasty and authentic korean food but the side dishes portion was small. Service was good and fast. Parking would be the real issue though.
Erin - Gold Code For 20% Off : CATH6386
+4
My first try on korean resto in auckland - overall impression are nice and delicious food, they have good side dish. I ordered spicy pork bbq and pork katsu for Denny Setiawan.. both of the food are delicious
A little gem hidden away from all the chaos on queen street but definitely worth a try if you’re passing by.
Service: 8/10
Fast service, all the dishes were ready within 10 minutes. The lady happily ran over to help us when we needed to pay. Workers are mostly very polite but seemed overloaded and were rushing around.
Food: 8/10
The tteokbokki was unevenly cooked, some pieces were chewy, some were hard. The taste was a little spicy and the ramen was okay.
The bbq pork was cooked nicely and the meat was very juicy. It wasn’t too spicy and had a little hint of sweetness.
The doenjang wasn’t too salty and was filled with vegetables. The portion was quite big and I couldn’t finish it by myself.
The side dishes were all delicious. So happy they had my favourite potato side dish!!!!
Ambiance: 6/10
It’s pretty hard to find the restaurant if you don’t know where you’re going. The inside is clean and tidy but the walls and furniture are quite old. The windows and ceiling are pretty musty.
We got the kimchi fried rice, spicy beef noodles and the spicy tofu soup. The portions of the meal was larger than I expected. Kimchi fried rice wasn't too spicy, so spiciness is perfect in my opinion. Will go back again.
I have tried almost every Korean restaurant in Auckland but missed this one simply it is located in the middle of Auckland downtown. I jumped to a conclusion that it can not be good. Well it was my mistake. I came here on Monday before lunch time. Already 3 tables were occupied. We tried bulgogi (marinated beef) and two other dishes. Fantastic flavor without adding MSG. If I ever come to Auckland and want Korea food, no need to drive out. This is the place to try a genuine Korean cuisine without trying too hard. Highly recommend A++44
It's one of the more authentic Korean restaurants I've been to. The food is tasty, the service is attentive and fast, and the prices reasonable. I kind of liked the wooden / treehouse decor.
My only quibble is that the entrance doesn't do it justice - it's a cramped elevator ride or up dodgy stairs to get here.
The staff were kind and the food is yum and well priced. Adore the BBQ beef hot plate! It’s not trying to be quaint or fancy, it’s just a great place to eat
Absolutely legendary. I'd literally sell my soul for a BBQ beef hotplate. Last night i was in Nol Bu Ne they were playing bee gees night fever over the speakers and it was heavenly.
Friendly service from the ahjussi guy ordered a spicy squid the sauce was absolute delicious!!! Would highly recommend to try this it a good price
For just $13
i love this place so much, i go here after my classes. Food is good! Service is good too.
However, their location is not that great. Its just that the stairs that go up there doesnt look nice. The elevator is good but it smells lol..
oh but the inside of the restaurant is good though! :)
Came on an early Friday night at 5:30pm
My friend and I ordered fish roe mixed rice and fish roe soup (al tang). Came really quickly and piping hot.
I personally love fish roe soup a lot and have been trying al tang in so many korean restaurant. This restaurant has the most amount of fish roe in their soup👌🏻
Didn’t take a picture of side dishes but they were potato with soy sauce, some kind of jelly with spicy sauce, kimchi and seaweed and they tasted fine as well.
I’ve been a customer here since 2012 and have brought so many friends to have dinner here since the price is friendly and food is yum.
Definitely recommend this ☺️
So worth the money with all the side dishes. Food was delicious, I especially love the potato side dish. The people working there are really nice too and my sister was very excited about the k-pop decor on the walls. Great little place!
Came here on a Tuesday for lunch at around 12pm and it got busy really quickly. The restaurant is on the second floor in the red tower on Wellesley street - really easy to find.
Between 2 we got the Bibimbap and the spicy beef stew with 4 side dishes. Even though the side dishes are quite similar to there Korean restaurants, the marinated potato was pretty nice and packed with flavor. The seaweed could use a little bit more flavor as it was quite bland.
The bibimbap and the beef stew were piping hot and the beef was pulled and easy to chew. The bibimbap, when mixed well and even though really hot, had a mix of spiciness and a tiny bit sourness in it which gave it a kick to the overall flavor.
It was a filling lunch as we even got the side dishes refilled.
Taste - 7/10
Size - 7/10
Service - 7/10
Price - 7/10
Kelly Vilisoni-Richards
+4.5
Not much to fault here!
Came here with a friend and ordered the Korean BBQ chicken. The chicken was flavoursome, the rice a little dry though. Comes with sides for free!
Sushi was a bit dry but still decent.
Good food, fast service at great prices.
If you are into Korean cuisine, this is definitely the place to be! Very suitable for family and friends dining with awesome food! Great food and friendly staff.
We got a table pretty easily, nice location although may be hard to find if it's your first time. Food was so good and very wallet friendly. Fast and efficient service.
It's easy to find a way and the food quality is decent. It's good to have a big Korean restaurant. The reason why it didnt get higher rate is because it is "decent" but honestly nothing special.
This place is always my go to whenever I can't think of where to go! With that being said though, I think the chef might've changed? The bulgogi is a lot sweeter than previous years. Highly recommend the dolsot bibimbap, kimchi fried rice and yukgaejang.
Extremely reasonable prices for such generous portions. The sides are free and delicious. The food comes out super fast and service is efficient. They give you free side dishes as well.
This is my go to place when I don't know where to eat. Affordable and always guaranteed a seat as there's lots of seatings. Makes it an easy choice if you want Korean food with a big group of friends in the city. Food comes out quickly and side dishes not bad, it's not amazing, but pretty good for the price.
Love love love this place, always go here often when I leave school early illegally. Forever my number one place. Although the toilets are a tad dodgy and the tables are quite sticky, the food does not bring the place down. Great prices for great food. Always order the Jap Chae, all dae err day
Great Korean food. Excellent value for money. The default side dishes aren't as nice as other places, but the main bbq platters are tender, moist and plentiful.
Unfortunately there was quite a wait for some of the food and I had finished mine by the time my partner received hers. Although it was busy, it seems like the
place usually handles that many customers, so I was slightly disappointed on that front.
Nevertheless, I will be returning to try the rest of the menu.
The food was alright :)). Where it's located is creepy, the music scares me and it feels like a horror movie. The staff were really nice :)) overall, the food was good, service is great but location and the Vibe around there feels like a horror movie.
Have been here a numeric, food is nice, especially good to have a steamboat hotpot; friendly service except the lady a but stingy I think she's the boss.
my fav korean cheapeats in town. The salmon don I ordered was just $13, and u get a lot salmon and veggie. Than they give u the homemade Korean sweet spicy sauce to mix the rice up. It's so tasty and fresh.
This place was recommended to me by my daughter. Situated at the first level of Choice Plaza Building. Very affordable price for a decent and sumptuous meal in the city. Side dishes were absolutely divine....sweet potatoes and fresh kimchi. Staff were friendly and fast service. Good serving for the price of $12.00. It might not be the best location, as the signs on the stairs were confusing. Definitely worth going for the price and food quality. Bought takeaway Korean beef for hubby and he really enjoyed it. Would definitely come back!
Environment: Generally a nice place to eat at if you prefer a casual dining.
Service: Have to say they're fast though nothing special
Food: Cheap, though I've tried better Korean restaurants - I do prefer their side dishes!
Only thing that ruined my experience was the old man at the counter - quite rude and not very friendly when I had questions to ask.
Food taste great! The atmosphere was energetic, restaurant was nice, besides the torn posters on the wall. Overall food was awesome, staff were lovely and a great spot to hang with friends.
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First time dining here. My friend and I finished our sport game and came to Nol Bu Ne eat. I'm a big fan of Korean food and I wanted to introduce one of friends to the food and culture. She doesn't usually eat spicy and I thought Korean is a great way to get her into eating spicy. A friend of mine who also has a passion for Korean and spicy food recommended this place to me so I decided to take my friend here to try it out.
Everything looked delicious coming out of the kitchen to other customers that I was so ready.
We were greeted by a nice host and when we sat down we were given water and menus. My friend and I ordered Bulgogi and Bibimbap and the quality was delicious. Side dishes were delicious as well, we were given Kimchi (picked cabbage but there are other variations), Gamjajorim (Potato and Soy Sauce), Yangpa Jangajji (pickled onions) and seaweed. Overall the food experience was amazing and I was definitely satisfied.
The prices are reasonable as a student I can say. All I'll say is that I was scared to ask where we could get more water because everyone was so busy but that might be just me since I have a really quiet personality in public
I definitely can say I'll come back here again.
First time dining at this place. It was a Saturday around 2pm.
We were greeted at the door by a lovely lady and seated straight away. Menus were already placed on the table and she was kindly waiting for us to be ready to order. Menus are easy to read the pictures in the menus help a lot too.
Food came our very quickly and was very delicious and the serving size was good. I love how Korean food come with dishes.
Venue was lovely not too loud and not too quiet. Service was excellent.
Will definitely eat here again.
Was seated immediately upon arrival. Menus already on the table. Waitress greeted us and gave us cups of water and took our orders. Food was quick and hot. Tasted delicious ! Was given a doggy bag without having to ask (Great Service). Had a great ambience, very calm, and a very peaceful place to eat. High recommended.
XX_Mystery_Reviewer_Xx
+4
Pros:
- BBQ meat dishes and Bibimbap are really good
- Friendly service
- Enough seating for large groups (8+)
- Food worth the prices ($12-$15)
- Nice environment and seating
- Many tables available (has a second floor with seating)
- nice water
Cons:
- Charges for refills on rice and side dishes
- View obstructed by some goofy veranda thing
Great little place! We had the tteokbeokki, the pork kimchi BBQ and the beef BBQ, all were tasty and good size and price! Service was fast enough
Good Korean restaurant!
I had Hot pot and Cheese topokki and they were boh delicious.If you like spicy food and cheese you'll gonna love them.Its better go with someone else and share because proportion is quite a lot !
Good value for cheap eats.come here every fortnight.service is non -existing but you learn to close your eyes on that when food is really good .
Go to For Korean food! Love this place and it's variety. Their cold noodles and kimchi jigae is bomb! The prices vary but you get nice potions and free water!
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6th time here now. This place is hidden gem from the public eye. The first time my mate brought me here I thought I was going to a hide out. Cheap Food, Good Taste. And the sides are boss!!!
THE FOOD
Sizziling plate Bbq pork (4/5) - Not my most favorite but very good!!
Sliced beef with glas noodle #34 on menu (4.5/5) - This one is perfect for a winter night, its like the spice gives your stomach a warm hug. I had a cold one night and came here, boom the next day i was better.
Johnson Hotpot (3.5/5) - I didnt particular like this dish, i rates it a 3 but i asked my friends for their rating and it came to this rating. Its got decent spice and alot of sausage.
Kimchi Pankcake (3.5/5) - This would be a higher rating for people who haven't tried. I'm biased because my flatmate makes the best kimchi pancakes.
Half Chicken Soup (4.5) - Love the simplicity of this dish and the memories of my childhood it illicits.
Tried Pork Bones Soup (3.9/5) - If you dont mind getting your hands a little messy then this is a go to dish.
THE SERVICE
The service here is pretty good, the staff are so fast it's hard to critique. Are generally responsive and from time to time you may need to call em over. Theres always the same guy at the counter to pay which adds character to the place (unless its the owner and he doesn't trust people with money)
THE ENVIRONMENT
This place gets really busy and there are alot of tables. It is well spaced and has dividers to maintain privacy.
WASIT WORTH IT
For sure!!! You should go
I had Korean Japchae dish, reminded me of my days in Korea! Very fresh and nice. I loved the little side dishes that came with it. Can't believe that I only paid $11 in total. Excellent service and the waiters were really cute:) I'm going to try their bulgogi next time. Great location. Close to my work.
I can't give this place anything less than 5/5 rating. It has never once disappointed me during my numerous visits. I recommend the kimchi fried rice. I also recommend the cheesy fishcake and noodle dish.
Been here multiple times and the foundation of every meal has always been their bulgogi or BBQ beef. The beef is very tender and they always bring it sizzling hot to your table. Portions are generous and the accompanying side dishes compliment the beef very well. Would be nice if they gave more sides for multiple diners but you can always ask for a refill. I wouldn't recommend the BBQ eel as it is $20 and they only give you half a plate. Overall though, a great place to come for a casual lunch or dinner.
Here the food is tasty, simple and affordable. A good restaurant to go when your hungry, as the portions are well served, but don't expect to have anything light. Flavours are powerful and a lot of things are fried.
One of the thing that stands out is the Kimchi. I had bibimbap rice as main, which is delicious.
Pattarintorn Emmy Jusakul
+4
The way to go to the restaurant was slightly complicated but a waiter there was really friendly and gave us a excellent service.
The food was mediocre but I really enjoy it.
The price and the size were reasonable.
Hidden away above the Umiya sushi place and No. 1 pancake store. This restaurant can be quite difficult to find if you don't know where you're going.
I remember the first time I came here I thought it was really dodgy, especially when I went up the dark stairs while they had renovations going.
It's a great cosy and private dining area. Staff are friendly and helpful and I love all the Korean side dishes that come with the meals.
My favourite is their set menus. Easy and don't need to take ages to pick from their extensive menu. Their set menu reminds me of a bento box but Korean style.
I do like their fried squid, jap chae and the chicken and ginseng soup. Their mains are decent and reasonably priced. I like how their mains don't have random other vegetables as a volume filler to make the dish look larger. If it's a meat dish it's about 95% meat. I will try one of their Hotpot meals to share with friends next time.
■ Good value
■ Open & Spacious
■ Generous portions + side dishes
■ Can be missed
Ive been here about 2 or 3 times during my time in the city and it's a pretty good place to get your Korean fix. One of the perks here is that they give you free side dishes- Winning! Its a very cheerful eatery with plenty of seating and a warm environment. The entrance looks dodgy as it's quite hidden and you gotta walk up a weird staircase but inside, the restaurant itself is allgood.
Its very popular among Uni students and perfect for eating on a budget since it's within walking distance of Auckland Uni. The service is impressive and attentive and dishes arrive sizzling hot on stone plates which makes it ideal for winter.
We usually order the hot pots and my favourite is the Korean BBQ Chicken and the Bulgogi.
Went to Nol Bu Ne with a bunch of people a few days ago. We got the bulgogi, spicy rice cakes (mild version), fried dumplings and the bulgogi kimbab. I loved every dish. I liked the marinated taste of the sizzling & juicy bulgogi, the soft chewy rice cakes & the crispy dumplings, the filling in the dumplings were very tasty. The kimbab were small enough that I could put the whole thing in my mouth.😁
If I'm ever down town again, I'll definitely pay Nol Bu Ne a visit. You should too!😉
Relatively impressed with this place. Convenient location near the University, though it is on the second floor so a bit harder to find if you didn't know what to look for.
Service was average, food was pretty good. I wish they had more side dishes. My friend was very happy with her lunch box option - served with 2 kinds of meat. She especially enjoyed the crispy dumplings (though I found them a little bit too cold, would have been nicer hot!!)
I was very excited that they have spicy rice cakes (my favourite Korean dish) with cheese. It was very cheesy indeed, but I though it was a bit lacking in flavour, could have been so much spicier!!
But all in all still good, I wouldn't mind visiting again.
Very authentic and cultural. I ordered the BBQ chicken on rice, it was stomach filling. Would definitely come back next time. The last time I was there was for a friend's birthday.
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II was really excited to go to nol bu ne because I've never been inside the Chinese pagoda looking building, and I was finally getting the chance to look!
After walking up the dingy stairs, I expected the restaurant to be the same sort of atmosphere, but it was warm, brightly lit with attentive waiters and happy patrons.
We ordered a hotpot for two that was spicy beef and squid, as well as cheese ddeukbokki. We got the customary side dishes, although I'm not sure whether they refill it because I saw some guy get his refilled but I was too scared to ask.
Waiters were great bc they heard me drop my chopsticks and got me a new pair without me asking!
The cheese ddeukbokki came out first and it was pretty good. Cheesy and hot! I thought it was a bit pricey for ddeukbokki.
The hotpot came out and it was smaller than I expected. The broth was extremely tasty, and although it was spicy I loved drinking it. I loved eating the beef in kimchi, it went really well! I was so in love with the dish. We then realised that the hotpot was not too small, and we couldn't finish it. We didn't even finish the ddeukbokki and had it doggy bagged and I was uncomfortably stuffed. It was delicious, I really wanted to keep eating but my stomach space let me down. Definitely a case of my eyes being bigger than my stomach.
I really enjoyed this place contrary to the reviews because of the tasty food, nice and helpful waiters and the space, which is rare to find in the city. Will definitely be coming back again
Had one serve of half chicken soup with white rice there. Chicken was tasty with good texture. It was cooked with real ginseng. Very healthy food. Service was also good. Hope to meet higher levels side dishes there next time.
Had a delicious bibimbap although I think less cooking time on the eggs would've been better. Love the colours in the meal and the service was great and fast :)
You can find nol bu ne in a small alley, up the stairs or by lift. The area around the restaurant does look quite dirty and scary, but surprisingly, the food is really comforting and delicious. Reasonably priced with big portions, i can see why many uni students would come here for some comfort korean food. I would recommend the japchae if you like glass noodles. But If i was being abit extra picky, i would say that the food was a tad on the salty side, especially the egg rolls. It definitely takes skills to season eggs right, but im not too fussed.
The food here is still just as good as its always been for years. Still has not changed. Ordered the fish roe spicy soup and the beef bulgogi and they did not disappoint.
Noticed that there is a new change now that there is a charge of $1 now if you wish to refill the side dishes per dish. Probably a good idea to do so to stop customers abusing the Korean hospitality.
Dined here on a Sunday night (group of 5) and only paid $84. Very reasonable.
We had the bbq pork, bbq chicken, japchae, seafood pancake and a medium steamboat. We were all very happy with the food and the service. Will definitely be going back again
I'm in love with this place! hidden Korean restaurant on the heart of Queen st. Went there for lunch last time and ordered spicy tofu jelly soup, bbq pork and japchae ( Korean glass noodle ) all of those taste amazing. Service and staff also so fast and friendly!! Recommended for all Korean food lovers!
I asked for authentic Korean and this is where my date took me (over a year ago). I've been back a couple times since and it's always an adventure. So authentic you can pretend you're overseas on an adventure.
The food was simple and tasty. The cold potato side is weird for someone unfamiliar with Korean food but it's complementry! and the prices are so good you can just order lots of options and eat what you like. Especially liked the seafood pancake thing.
Don't be put off by the strange stairwell etc - it's a mission to get to, but it's worth it. Al part of the adventure.
Very friendly hosts - welcoming to English speakers too, so don't be shy, go try.
Bahasa: Panggang2 ala korea plus gratis appetizers seperti kimchi, kentang kecap, dan rumput laut. Bukan cuma rasanya yg enak, harga relatif murah dibanding harga makan siang pada umumnya di tengah kota auckland. Porsi luar biasa besar, pas buat orang besar seperti saya hehehehe (berat 90 kg)...
English: Never knew I would have an excellent korean cuisine with great taste, huge portion and cheap price in Auckland city. I would recommend this restaurant to all korean BBQ and Kimchi lovers.
This is one of the few good Korean restaurant at a reasonable price. We love the spicy pork, it's beautifully made with the right taste. If there is anything negative, the side dish variety is limited. Would surely be back again. Good service, good taste and good ambience. What else do we need.
Good place to try Korean food! This restaurant is one of the oldest Korean restaurants in Auckland CBD and I love how their food still tastes the same. There is nothing new or special about this place but they make very good authentic Korean food that everyone loves. I recommend BBQ meals and cold noodles.
The flavour of the soups here are amazing and many to choose from. A good place if you enjoy hot food and look for a hearty meal. The interior is looking a little run down, the taste is the winner. They close at 10 during the week and 10:30 on weekends, perfect for late dinners :)
Highly recommend this place for korean cuisine as I believe it has the best kimchi in town. The bbq squid dish is also full of squid unlike other Korean places which give you half a plate of onions and cabbage. Would recommend this place as the food here is delicious and the atmosphere is good too. Lots of space in between tables and the service is fast
Went for lunch~ had the fish egg soup(12) and friend has ramen soup(9). Came with free dishes like all other Korean reaturants but personally I feel like the portions are smaller and the seaweed is not fresh :( the mains are good! Reasonable price, but heard the rice is really good so next time I'll try that :) the waiter was pretty cute btw.
Finding this place was a little scary due to how hidden it is. But service was prompt, prices are cheap and the food is decent!
Nol Bu Ne is a good place to go if you are strapped for cash but want a good meal.
The side dishes are always tilting the scale on end or another on the taste scale, either very salt, very sweet or very spicy.
My friend got the BBQ beef and I got the BBQ chicken. Practically the exact same taste, difference of meat was only slightly noticeable. But overall was a decent experience
This is a very popular cheat eat place in town. Not only do they serve a huge selection of Korean dishes，the prices are pretty reasonable. One thing I dislike is that Nol Bu Ne feels so secluded. I find the stairs which lead to the restaurant is just as dodgy.
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Don't be put off by the foyer; the restaurant is lovely!
We went to Nol Bu De for dinner before seeing a show. Loved it. Here's my rundown of the experience:
Food rating: A. (Same chef and owner for 13 years; these guys know their business.) 10/10
Food quality: Delicious, spicy, and some dishes served on a sizzling platter. Lots of extras too. 10/10
Portion sizes: We ordered two mains and an appetiser between 2 people, which turned out to be more than we could eat.
Prices: Cheaper than most Auckland restaurants. $12 for a main. 10/10
Beer: Enjoyed the Korean beer. Light lager, expect to get through a few of em. Adorable Korean soft drinks also available. 8/10
Hardware: Thin engraved metal chopsticks and a spoon to eat with. Some dexterity required. 7/10
Service: Ultra quick and efficient, very attentive but not personable so bring your own company. We were seated immediately during dinner rush, no reservation needed. Food is came quite fast, which is superb if you're going somewhere afterward. 9/10
Decor: Beautiful wood panelling everywhere colourful and cheerful. Lots of Korean signage. Menus in English and all staff seemed fluently bilingual. 10/10
Ambience: It was full but not packed. Table layout is ideal -- most tables are beside windows so you have a view, and are spaced comfortably wide apart so there's no chair battles or conversation overspill. 10/10
Access: Family friendly restaurant but you'll need to push your way in through the smoking hostel goers filling the street level stairs, then take the lift one flight up. No wheelchair access by the looks. 4/10
Recommendation: If you're a pretentious restaurant snob, go back to the Wynyard Quarter and don't ruin one of my new favourites with your complaining. But if you appreciate a nice atmosphere and good food, I'll see you at Nol Bu Ne!
This is a popular place that has plenty of seating. Good range of dishes available and priced quite well. Only problem I find is that the owner is not always friendly.
Food: 6/10
Service: 3.5/5
Ambience: 3.5/5
Value: 3.5/5
Overall: 16.5/25
Love this place. Its been around for years! Always a good spot if your after, cheap, tasty korean food.
I always order the bbq chicken and beef which comes on a sizzling/hot plate and 4 side dishes. I prefer the beef to the chicken, has more flavour. But all together very tasty!!
for $12 a meal, its great value. I'll always be back.
Have been here several times and recommended to friends. Always have received Good food with Good portion, decent service and staff. Really happy about this restaurant. :)
Soooooooooo good. Pork bone soup perfect for cold nights. Seafood pancake is delicious and filled with all sorts. Love their banchan! Finally tried dukbokki, wish I had it earlier, it was better than I thought it would be.
The food is cheap and portion sizes are large. Chum churum, grape drink and the frozen milkshakes went great with our meal too. Only gripe is that it is in town :( too far for me to go to every day Waaaaaaah!
Been here many times. Loving their jap chae, steamed dumplings and red bean ice cream :) and of course , their friendly services :) do come and try :)
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A very popular Korean restaurant in Auckland City
I've been here multiple times since I started university and it's definitely a front runner for best Korean food in the city. There are definitely a few that are better but I find Nol Bu Ne is a lot more spacious than the little restaurants in the city. We usually come here for lunch when we have a lunch break from lectures and it's always really popular. The most recent time we came, we arrived just when they opened at 11am. There was no one else there so we ordered quickly and the food arrived no more than 5 minutes later. I ordered the Korean BBQ chicken and my friend got the Soondubu Chigae "Jelly tofu stew". We both really enjoyed our meals. Mine was nice, a bit on the oily side but it was tasty and my friend really enjoyed the stew, spicy and keeps the body warm in the winter. Both dishes came with rice and we didn't get charged for refilling the side dishes but the menu says there's a charge so not sure about that.
Pictures:
- Soondubu Chigae "Jelly tofu stew" ($11)
- Side dishes = Vinegar spicy radish pieces, seaweed strips, kimchi and potato in sweet sauce (Free and refill once free)
- Korean BBQ Chicken ($12)
Apart from the dodgy location and staff being very rushed/not particularly friendly, it's a tasty place. The side dishes aren't as good as other places and dishes are a tad oily but all in all, we enjoy eating here.
Dined here for lunch today with my sister. Some reviews say it's a confusing location but if you have the street address it's pretty straight forward and they have their sign displayed from the street so you know where to go. Appearances on the way in is not the fanciest but once inside it has a Cosy and cute set up. Perfect spot to go for quick cheap and flavoursome eats. Pictured are the bbq Chilli squid and bulgogi dishes which come with rice - they also serve 4 complimentary sides which is really nice and enough for two. Service is quick and efficient which is the usual for Asian style eateries - food arrived to the table within 5 minutes of placing our order. rated overall 3.5/5 as it was above average the food was tasty but did not exceed my expectations. #foodreview #foodie #bulgogi #cheapeats
Nol Bu Ne is my go-to Korean restaurant when I'm in the city. I can't even count the times I've been here; I've literally been here so often!
I've tried my fair share of dishes here and I have settled on my favourite: spicy beef soup. For $12, it is so filling and tastes so good! It also comes out bubbling hot as well and it is perfect for cold winter days like today! The spice warms me up and I love the glass noodles that come with this soup. The barbecue meat hot plates are so yum as well, and are perfect for sharing with friends!
You also get free side dishes (four of them) with any main meals purchased and refills are only $1. I don't usually need refills as my meal fills me up enough but the side dishes here are usually all good! I'm a big fan of the seaweed, sweet potato and kimchi here. The fourth side dish usually changes.
Service is also good here as well. I will keep coming back! @
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I heard about this restaurant through my Zomato followers. Getting there was a bit of a hassle since my friend and I went to random places with stairs and elevators near the restaurant. I only heard about this place via Zomato reviews and they all mentioned elevators and stairs! In the end, we got there after this lady told us where to go!
My friend and I ordered the Naengmyun ($11) and the Cheese Ddeokbokki ($11.50) for the first time. I swear only Nol Bu Ne is the only Korean restaurant that has Cheese Ddeokbokki on their menu, so we had to try it. The cheese ddeokbokki was so good, it was chewy and a bit spicy for me that I had to run and get heaps of water for myself! The naengmyun was delicious as well, the broth was weird but good at the same time. It was something new for me. The interior design may look quite old and tacky, but it kind of gives an old historical Korean vibe? Maybe that's just me.
Overall, I loved this place and I loved their food. I will most definitely come back for more Korean food. ESPECIALLY THE CHEESE DDEOKBOKKI! ^_^
Summerlee Fataoui Schick
+4
Nol bu ne is one of the restaurants where you will only ever find out via a friend who has been. Its location is hard to detect and the elevator or staircase had a "seedy" feel to it, but once you get inside its busy and service is quick. I love the free condiments you receive with your meals. Cheap, cheerful and tasty food. Its a great place for a quick dinner or lunch with no frills. I love it and return again and again. My advice...take the stairs though..the elevator is kind of scary at times
Quite hard to notice this place. Their side dishes are definitely too little for two people. Refilling charges $1. I ordered Kimchi fried rice ($11) , tastes not bad.And my friend ordered deep fried pork steak ($13), which looks and tastes boring.
Definitely not the easiest place to spot if you didn't know this place existed. I was introduced to this place a few years back and i have been going back ever since. The Korean food is affordable and the best part is the sides, can get free refills!! Never say no to more rounds of kimchi! Definitely my favourite Korean restaurant in the city.
My fav. Korean restaurant!!! ♥️ service is always great as well as the food. Heaps of servings too. The only thing i don't like is how customers need to pay for side dishes refill. It used to be free but now they added fee. Lol. But overall i love this restaurant ♥️♥️♥️
You get what you pay for here. If you like Korean food at a good price, then this is the place for you. Service is fast, food is consistent, and prices are good.
I was so impressed with the service, attentive but non-intrusive. Food was great, arrived super quick and the sides were the best complement to dinner. Minor annoyance of only being able to use your credit card when paying for the whole table and over $40.
My lunch at Nol Bu Ne ! It's great and not expensive as well. Dokbokki Cheese with ramyun, a pork BBQ and bibimbab. All of these are tasty. I can say that it's worth the price with the quanlity. I'm sure I'll go again lol
Regular Korean restaurant in town. Reasonable pricing and food is tasty, Ordered the fried dumplings and our favourite Al Tang soup (fish roe spicy soup). Food held our expectation. Dumplings were nice and crunchy with a soya sauce. Al tang was great for a cold night. Spicy with flavours coming from the fish roe and tofu. Cheap and reasonable place to eat Korean.
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Been here quite a few times. My friend had introduced me to this place otherwise I would've never found this place as it's quite hidden and "dodgy" just going upstairs to this place. Inside the restaurant is fine though.
Sometimes the customer service here is good. This time I had ordered the "raw salmon dupbap" and honestly. It was not good. Lacking in flavour. Nothing to it besides salmon, rice and raw veges (carrots, apples, cucumber, cabbage etc). Like there was no sauce or even vinegar flavouring to the rice. Salmon had no soy sauce to dip or whatsoever. Everything in that bowl was just so bland. Not good. Don't recommend that dish.
But I've tried their kimchi fried rice and bibimbap and they're pretty good. Love their side dish things where they give to you for free with your meal. Have tried they Japanese udon too. Pretty good also.
Their seafood pancake was average this time. Maybe cos it was a Friday night and they were quite busy. On a non busy night, their pancakes are nice and crispy and not so oily like the kimchi pancakes we've had before.
Overall this place is good. Would recommend this place to others.
Great food at very good prices. The outside of the building and part of the entrance look run down, but this is a great inner city Korean restaurant to eat at on a budget. Highly recommended.
Amazing food! Love it :) Cheap and worth what you pay for!! Apart from the questionable elevators everything was good! Highly recommend :D !!!!
I have come here multiple times and was never disappointed :-) The warm lighting and warm environment makes the experience so much more enjoyable. The service , food and overall experience is always satisfying - for that reason, I will always come here when I have the time :-)
Apart from the questionable elevators, Nol Bu Ne is my favourite Korean restaurant. They never fail to deliver consistent and delicious meals :)
Nol Bu Ne is my all time favorite Korean restaurant in Auckland, that we visit almost every week. Their side dishes are superb! I really love the seaweed salad, sweet potato and the egg marinated in soy sauce. I think they have the best BBQ Chicken and Squid, and for only $12! Staff is also quite friendly and very fast with serving customers.
Nol Bu Ne serves good food, portions and also amazing side dishes! I love the potato jorim and also bean sprouts. My favorite will be spicy pork, dolsot bibimbap and spicy squid. Husband's fav is spicy beef soup. Staff are helpful and very attentive.
Very good. The staff are helpful and friendly
good food, good portions, good taste, good prices.
My favourite Korean restaurant in Auckland, good food, great value, quick service. I'm especially partial to their vegetarian kimchi fried rice (spicy and amazing!), my boyfriend is a fan of the bulgogi. You also get free sides.
Seriously one of the best Korean restaurants in Auckland. The people who run it are so friendly and the food is DELICIOUS!
I recommend the spicy squid highly. If your taste buds are a little tame go for Bulgogi first time.
Great, friendly service. It doesn't look that great inside, but it's clean, and the food tastes absolutely delicious. The meal prices are very cheap ($9-$20). The atmosphere is family friendly.
All in all, great service. I would love to go again.
It use to be one of my not so favourute korean restaurants back in '11 when i came once for breakfast.
It's not my favourite but the quality in food has improved heaps since the last time I came here. Dinner time is quite busy but the service and food arrive quickly. As always, i recommend the bbq meals (particulary the beef) and the dolsot bibimbap* (in the hot stone bowl). Generic range of side dishes available but it's very good, especially the kimchi and seaweed. Very affordable if you're looking for a meal under $15~20.
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Nol Bu Ne is famous amongst students for a cheap, and filling meal. I highly recommend the Dolsot Bibimbap- a hot stone bowl with rice and assorted vegetables and meat which you mix up with gochujang (korean spicy sauce). It's worth paying the extra dollar for the hot stone bowl so you get sizzling, scorched rice at the bottom. I've been searching for a good bibimbap in Auckland and finally found it at Nol Bu Ne. The kimchi stew is bubbling hot and flavoursome and delicious, and their side dishes have a good variety too. I would put a pass the tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) though, it's good, but their version isn't as tasty as some other places.
Update: I've returned to Nol Bu Ne three times now. Side dishws vary each time, they're quite average but the sweet potatoes are really good. The other dishes I tried with my friends were the Salmon dupbap (alsp average), normal bibimbap, and kimchi fried rice (first time trying it and it's ok, but very kimchi-y). There is a huge difference between normal bibimbap and dolsot bibimbap so I recommend again, go for dolsot! Basically, I'd only come here for that one dish.
Possibly my favorite Korean restaurant in the heart of Auckland. The staff are really friendly and always greet their customers with a smile. you will find all your typical Korean food, the difference being that nol bu ne is really tasty. Even the sides you receive are delicious and will have you asking for more. There are plenty of tables upstairs and downstairs and is a perfect place to host a large family or birthday dinner.
Would recommend to anyone looking for a great Korean restaurant.
Woof.
Carmella @ Easy Food Hacks
+4
Nol Bu Ne is located on the first floor; I suggest you take the advice taped to the wall, and take the stairs rather than wait for lethargic elevator. There are menu pictures taped on the wall heralding the restaurant. Nol Bu Ne has been around for a long time, and seems popular by the tables of happy diners. While the deco seems standard for a cheap and cheerful eatery, the mirrored ceiling was a bit of a surprise.
The first win for Nol Bu Ne was the pictorial menu. Some of these dishes had basic descriptions, so being able to visualize the dish was helpful. Also, Little Brother and sis-in-law are old hats at Nol Bu Ne, and suggested some dishes. The mackerel with rice and noodles in cold soup were recommended. Nol Be Ne also serves Japanese (e.g. katsu, udon) and Chinese (e.g. ginseng, offal) dishes.
Sis-in-law went with her favourite, - al tang, a spicy fish roe soup with rice ($12). I would never have ordered this, but the fish roe is delicious, slightly chewy and balanced the spicyness of the soup. Little Brother got the bulgogi (marinated grilled beef, $12). This was mainly for the kids, who enjoyed the sweet soy chargrilled taste. I stayed safe with my BBQ eel ($20, your usual Japanese terikayi unagi, okay I cheated), served on a hot plate with slivers of fresh ginger and slices of preserved ginger.
All dishes come with rice and banchan (sides dishes). Banchan is my favourite part of Korean cuisine; small dishes of cold vegetables. There were four offered; two kimchis (cabbage and radish), gamja jorim (soy sauce braised potatoes) and miyeok muchim (seaweed marinated with vinegar, sugar and salt).
For the rest of the review, see: http://easyfoodhacks.blogspot.co.nz/2013/11/nol-bu-ne-restaurant-cbd-auckland.html
An Auckland institution in the realm of Korean food, this family owned restaurant continues to treat Aucklanders to delicious Korean food, of which the BBQ squid is a must try. Their braised sweet potatoes, served as part of their banchan, continues to win hearts. For a full review and dish recommendations go to http://cheapeats.co.nz/nol-bu-ne/
Excellent food, often go there to eat in but their takeaway is also just as good. Great portions and good value for price.
Always love Pork bone soup, it was a nice ending for our Auckland trip~ the sides especially delicious!!!
One of my favourite Korean restaurants! A little hard to find as it's inside the red tower and you need to take a lift, but the food has always been good. Always come here for the beef bulgogi - highly recommend!
located on level 2 inside a building, you need to take lift to get there. Interesting and old school decoration. Prompt service and food was great, price’s are ok for the portion compared to other korean restaurant in the cbd. The bulgogi was very generous with lots of meat, spicy kalguksu was ok, thick broth but wish it’s a bit more flavourful. Steamed egg’s amazing! They also have options for korean hotpot style food which can be shared with 2-4 people. would def be back when im in cbd again.
The restaurant inside the building, the lobby is decorated with many images of idols. That's interesting. The space is large and a bit dark. The menu has many options. You can come alone, with your family, in a group that suits you. The food was served quickly and to my taste. Friendly staff.
Parking: No
Dine in, take a way, delivery: Yes
A Korean hidden gourmet Eatery in this Chinese style old fashioned building.
First time here only a second I am in love with it.❤️
Not a fancy restaurant but 100% authentic Korean gem.
I ordered pork bone soup just like the taste I had back in Seoul Korea.
Glad that I found this one, although it has been there for years I only discovered recently by searching my lunch break food.
Highly recommended
I like the potato appetizer and radish one. I would recommend kimchi pancake because it tastes good when it’s still crispy. Tofu&egg soup is also tasty. I regret ordering cheese&rice cake noodles because it tastes very bitter and salty. Good service tho
Tasty authentic Korean food. Great service.
As Korean food lover, this is an amazing n authentic restaurant. Very nice. Personally love the Korean bbq spicy pork n rice. Side dishes are great too but amount or portion isn’t enough for two as with my friend. It’s a very old restaurant so it would be higher point from me if they could renovate the restaurant
I think it’s a family run restaurant, don’t have a high expectations on the exterior of the place, a bit run down but most of Queen Street iconic places are, not like how it used to.
PROS : FOOD is tastes like Korean Home cook, delicious and authentic
- Plenty of portions
- Complimentary condiments, Kimchi, seaweed salad, sweet potatoes and steam broccoli
- small staff so be patient,
- Clean and tidy
- GREAT PRICES! Super value for money.
Cons : Old place a bit dark but doesn’t reduce the quality of food while I was there multiple times.
Happy to come back for lunch any day
Nice restaurant, a bit odd and old place but still reasonable okay. Very suitable for family and friends dining. Try the spicy pork, it is hot plate and so nice with rice. Don't forget to have some nice Korean beer called Hite.
There is nothing like this in Australia 🇦🇺. I live in Auckland City for 3 years and this place has got to be the best authentic Korean food places. It is not the flashest place but it has the best food.
Delicious Korean food with generous portion. Will be perfect if they can improve the cleanliness. We found the table surface was quite sticky.
Cosy 1st floor Korean run restaurant. Follow Korean posters along walk way & you will reach its entrance. Can sit between 20-30 tables of various sizes of 2 person to 4 or more by combining square tables. If it's full, they will direct you to a room which can has 4 table of which 3 are 4 person while last is a 2 person table. Waitress was very polite & courteous. She is very helpful even if you ask her to exchange type of meat from the standard menu. Kimchi rice with pork & topped by a sunny side egg was delicious and non spicy despite its redness of the dish. The portion of kimchi pork had the right portion against a bowl of rice. The 3 fried pieces of machereal fish was light, sweet & meat easily peel from its bones. Side dishes portion has reduced compared to 2 years ago. Overall good service & enjoy good Korean food along Queen street.
Have eaten here several times. Efficient, fuss free service and it seems like a family run business. Classic Korean home cooking. The cold noodles were a little sweet and not spicy enough for my liking, but they may have made the taste more suited for a non-Asian demographic. The half cooked chicken is delicious and homey, perfect winter warmer.
What a dodgy set of stairs leading up to the restaurant. But once you get up there, it's actually a pretty good atmosphere. I got the normal bibimbap and it was delicious and filling. They get quite busy during lunch, but service is still pretty good. Lady at the counter charged me the wrong amount, but this was understandable as it was busy and she must've been stressed. Prices are pretty average.
Korean Food in down town of Auckland
Friendly staff, clean and tidy restaurant. food really good authentic korean. good for local and visitor.
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