POLYNESIAN FOOD TOUR in Auckland, NZ! | Lu Pulu, Pineapple Pie, Cook Island Donuts + more!

Auckland is the largest Polynesian city in the entire world so it's no wonder we're blessed with a diverse selection of delicious foods from the Pacific. Today we hit up 3 places in this Polynesian food tour in Auckland from delectable desserts and to-die-for Cook Island platters to insane Tongan specialties!
Our first spot Sweet & Me is a Polynesian-inspired bakery in Onehunga serving modern takes on classic Pacific desserts handmade with the finest ingredients.
Next is Tanz Kitchen, a legendary spot for some of the best Cook Island food in town renowned for their donuts and mixed plates.
Finally, we have Fale Kai that serve incredible Tongan specialties where we try Lu Pulu which is an amazing dish made with corned beef, coconut milk, and cooked in taro leaves!
Enjoy!
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Food & Places:
~ Sweet & Me ~
• Website: www.sweetandme.co.nz/
~ Tanz Kitchen ~
• Website: TANZ-KTCHN-503362599700993/
~ Fale Kai (PERMANENTLY CLOSED AS OF APRIL 13, 2023) ~
• Website: www.falekai.co.nz/
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Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:42 - Sweet & Me
5:03 - Getting the Goods
7:40 - Tanz Kitchen
12:00 - Fale Kai
17:40 - Final Thoughts
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We'd love to connect with you!
~ Instagram: locavore.eats?hl=en ​
~ Tik Tok: www.tiktok.com/@locavore.eats?
Equipment
~ Main Camera - Panasonic Lumix G85
~ Small Camera - Sony ZV-1
~ Lens - Panasonic Lumix 18-35mm
~ Camera Mic - Rode VideoMic Pro
~ Editing Software - Adobe Premiere Pro CC 2020
~ Music - Musicbed

[@locavore_eats]

Let us know what Polynesian foods or places we should try next!

[@selwensarmiento9024]

hi guys am just a new subscriber a week ago I got Keke pua'a at pinati's Keke pua'a and palusami at blue rose cafe and lu Pulu masima and otai from Melina's takeaway poke bowl from lulu cafe and Fale Kai they have some great foods too hope you visit and try some of them

[@beem4180]

Evalinas in clendon, Toby's seafood, otara

[@bullis1858]

Maybe try hangi and boil up - the foods of the original Polynesians from NZ. 😜

[@mojoejojo6675]

Viviane catering just opened a shop on Carruth Rd Papatoetoe. Sure they could do with some exposure. I was angry that on their first week of opening before Christmas their shop was damaged as part of a ram raid on the dairy next door. Their opening was delayed by 3 weeks.

[@AshandRams]

I think trying home made is better than eating out. Suggest getting in touch with family businesses - better quality and better prices

[@ynerrad9291]

If a dish without rice is not a meal for Filipinos, a Tongan meal is not a meal without cassava, taro or yams. Essentially a starch of some kind 😂 I also love how food is able to bridge cultures. Tongans have spit roast pig/ tunu puaka, and Filipinos have pork lechon

[@locavore_eats]

Haha should've paired the food with more of that tbh!! Defs gonna do that next time 😆 Love how we can share so many similarities across our cultures it's so cool to see! 🥰🥰

[@ynerrad9291]

@@locavore_eats easy future videos 🫣😂🫡

[@inyaumbayz2525]

Don’t try tongan food .. they just eat horse 🐎..

[@vath102]

Polynesian living abroad and haven't been back to nz in a long long time. you guys did this vlog so so proud. variety and quality! thank you for show casing our cuisine.

[@user-rf5hv7vq4f]

Well done guys you explain our culture which l miss having There's a shop in Auckland called Toby it's like a fish and chips place where you can get raw fish muscles ext try you won't be disappointed cheers from Adelaide Australia 😊

[@unsaltedbeurre3411]

I live in Aus and I always think that NZ food scene must be very similar to here, but this cafe makes me want to fly to Auckland and try these goodies haha. I haven't come across a Polynesian cafe here yet!

[@locavore_eats]

Haha we defs have the same love for cafe culture but the Polynesian food scene in Auckland is just next level!!

[@ironknives5395]

Way better food in New Zealand Australians can't cook a simple pie.

[@Philly-lq6zr]

You can you tube and find out how these island food is cooked and cook it yourself it not that hard it is simple cooking , just start with few food to try out and taste and is healthy for you , like raw fish ,taro, taro leaves ,coconut, minus that the potato beetroot and egg salad, donuts they yummy banana poke ,biscuit poke,pumpkin poke , the chop suey if it cooked right there no more in the pot especially over nz. Donuts gone missing ,raw fish grew legs ,the minus people's still looking for it , the taro grew muscle and went body building, and the corn beef ran away with the taro leaves protection from the coconut .😊 I know how too but it just tastes better when somebody else cooks it 😊

[@deeteewritesthings2024]

Yes love your reviews of our cultural food! We hope you enjoyed every single dish. Just a quick correction - Sweet and Me is in Onehunga, not Ōtāhuhu (though Ōtāhuhu itself has some famous and great Island eateries too!)

[@locavore_eats]

Thanks for watching and yes every single dish was absolutely delicious!! Need to feature some island places in Ōtāhuhu next 😊

[@vath102]

blue rose cafe in Central- sandringham have delicious Polynesian flavour pies, corn beef lu pies etc its a must try amongst other PI dishes

[@_mela_8177]

The best place to eat Cook Island food is at a Island function 😂😂 that’s where you will get the real taste of the Cook Islands culture 😅 not just the food, but the company too.

[@locavore_eats]

Waiting for the invites to a Cook Island cookout 🥸

[@zenmasterbeats5068]

​@@locavore_eats you may not know it but what you did here can get you klled bro!

[@tish.rangi_John3.16]

Poly living in Australia here, loved ❤❤❤you guys and your reviews of my fave Poly foods. God bless ❤

[@locavore_eats]

Thank you 🙏🙏🙏

[@franklinnanai2745]

When I go to Auckland I'm going to check those places out, man I am hungry now.

[@sonnyluka2637]

Awesome. i want to try.wish you guys all the best..thank you.

[@markmonteiro2487]

Ohhhh all that sauce in that face of the bun.

[@davem273]

Love my Island food, it's mouth watering watching your videos. Yumm.

[@locavore_eats]

It's soooo good! Thanks Dave :)

[@legendsydney5569]

OMG! I miss those island food in Auckland. Great food vid guys. Thanks for sharing.

[@locavore_eats]

Glad we have quite the selection of Island food in Auckland! Thanks for watching!!!

[@joyperich7342]

Great video ❤️ you were in Flatbush when you to Tanz Kitchen. I miss everything you ate and you went to the best stomping grounds in S.A

[@bangcon_official]

Love my Polynesian kai ! Thank you for this video guys

[@locavore_eats]

Thanks for watching! Such amazing food we ate that day!

[@Shannon-ll7vy]

Tanz kitchen is my favorite restaurant take away in south auckland

[@rachealmika-falefa4172]

Love love love this video 😍😍😍😍

[@valerieselau7384]

I really loved your video. So many hidden gens about Pacific cuisine that where I was grew up since my childhood. 😊

[@locavore_eats]

Thank you!!!! Ikr hopefully we can explore even more spots in the future!

[@kapowww5371]

You guys should go out into the bush and find the Māoris. Ask them to make yous an under ground hangi🔥

[@locavore_eats]

Truuee, too many steamed hangi in Auckland. Need to find the real thing haha

[@vath102]

that is acutally salted beef lu or lu pulumasima. lu kapapulu is canned corn beef.

[@p.e.amueli8272]

Love the video keep them coming ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@locavore_eats]

Thank you!!

[@BTNH_NiNJA]

Dope review and glad you got to hit spots in AKL 🙌🏽

[@locavore_eats]

Thank youuu!!! 🙌🙌🙌

[@ItsMiasWorld]

as a polynesian im so happy you love our food!! and i love that your pronounced all the names of the foods well hahaha you are now welcome to all our food gatherings hahahaha

[@locavore_eats]

Thank you and can’t wait for the cookout invites 😆

[@sonnyluka2637]

Awesome man..

[@harore4078]

My guy in the hood for food lesshgooo 🤣💪😎💯

[@locavore_eats]

😎😎😎

[@jeromefuiono7419]

Love how our foods are quite similar awesome vid guys🤙🏽

[@locavore_eats]

Appreciate it Jerome, thanks for watching 😊

[@mojoejojo6675]

That house on Preston Rd with all the flags is an eyesore. Get some new flags with fresh ink. The ones they got up are faded. Are they selling watermelons there at that house? Haven't been there in years.

[@naeeanvideos]

I've never heard of Sweet & Me so cant wait to try it.

[@locavore_eats]

Hope you enjoy it!! Such a cool neighbourhood spot with great people 😊

[@KmaK95]

Neither!!! Or the one in papatoetoe! And I always go to lil abners!

[@jalesaisback]

Hey AG! I remember you from intermediate! So nice to see you guys try poly food! Anyways, I'm a bit late to this one but my partner is obsessed with the Lu Sipi from the Mobil in Otahuhu-ish on Salesyard road. It's pretty good and a random spot!

[@locavore_eats]

OMG Hello!!!! Hehe thanks for watching our vids and will defs try that spot!! RI 4 lyf 😎😎😎 Jk HAHAHAHA

[@RaneetaFailua15]

pacific corned beef is the best....but love palm too lol

[@georgeaskins518]

The appreciation is mutual!

[@locavore_eats]

🙏🙏🙏

[@matabennion9256]

Cook Island Banana Poke is not a dessert it compliment your meal it goes with your meat especially your fish

[@deruje6289]

another banger 🔥

[@locavore_eats]

Thank you 🙏🙏🙏

[@jolenejewel1401]

You pronounced alot of the suburbs and food varieties real well. Better than many NZlanders do very impressive. Well done and yes you went to some of the best spots in NZ for your Island food. Yuum

[@locavore_eats]

Thank you 🙏🙏🙏

[@naikoronui5765]

Bro you guys just made me hungry 🤣🤣

[@karllee505]

Lolo Buns! Mmmmmm

[@Te562]

Oh yummy. My favourite cos I am definitely Samoan Kiwi lol. Chop suey and talo oh panipopo . Wow yummy. Oh yes the great cornbreef. Oh like delicious meals. In Auckland U can get island food easily. Wellington na. Lol. My favourite is going to Otara southside. Island Samoan food in centre and Otahuhu getting Keke pu'a the best got da try it. Every Samoan everywhere goes dea. Pennina forgotten name.

[@dox0wallisian933]

Hahaha Ommgg Oke là je confirme que clairement dans toutes nos îles du Pacifique Sud on Mange tous pareils 😂🙏🤍. Chez nous à Wallis et Futuna c'est tout pareil, c'est incroyable. Je traduis ici les noms des produits présentés dans la vidéo en Uvea : Pami, Laisi, Salata Kula, Lu lo'i TINI, Fakapaku, 'Ota' Ika, Po'e, Puaka ta'o. 💯❤️😍🥰

[@bFORCe2003]

Theres a lot of Filipinos in NZ, I work with at least 20 and when I was in hospital(Waikato) earlier this year there were at least 10 Filipino nurses on my ward.

[@locavore_eats]

Bless our Filipino nurses 😭

[@catchancook9277]

Try cook island donut with french vanilla ice cream dip in masarap 😋

[@keshaycecil5854]

Coconut crabs my fav food too buttery guts of big shellfish

[@realg.7731]

PROPER REVIEW!!! NEW SUB!

[@locavore_eats]

Thank uuu 🙏🙏🙏

[@FOE-LEKA]

Ohhhhh yummmmmm 🤤🤤🤤🤤subbed!! Such happy vibes 🤍

[@locavore_eats]

Thank youuu!!!!

[@sareeaf8519]

Evelinas in Clendon or Otara also. Great Food Vlog nom nom

[@locavore_eats]

Will try that next time for sure. Thanks!!

[@Andy_M986]

The Taro leaves are edible as well.

[@georgemohetau6056]

Tongan but tbh i love Filipino food ube cake from gold ribbon is smashing

[@locavore_eats]

Can't beat the ube cake from Gold Ribbon for sure 😤😤😤

[@ptahhussle1836]

Bro pulled up to flatbush to tanz kitchens, man their food is the best 💯🇳🇿👏🏽

[@locavore_eats]

Can't wait to go back 😤

[@ititeiri8840]

Hi guys missing da chicken in da cook island plate of food looks yummy though

[@Kyan-gt7ho]

sapa sui in the cook islands is called chop sui

[@marina_the_poet]

Tans Kitchen is my fave!

[@dvox8289]

Gotta eat the lamb flap when their hot so the fat and skin is stil tender otherwise chewy rubber meat treat 😅, love your guys videos 💯

[@locavore_eats]

Haha yes had to heat it up after filming and it was so much better 😅 Thanks for watching fam!

[@Sly_Bacon]

lucky the dude that stole all corned beef conveniently left 2 for your video, shoutout to that guy for making it happen

[@locavore_eats]

His generosity will not be forgotten 😭

[@Andy_M986]

Shame there aren't any Niuean cafes around,their food isn't mixed with any other countries,like Germany with Tonga, China with Samoa, Niuean food is still what it has always been, Niuean and only Niuean.

[@byroniosia1916]

I agree, our food is not colonized like most of the Samoan and Tongan food dishes. Niue food for the win for the most authentic ever🇳🇺.

[@locavore_eats]

Hope we find a Niuean food spot soon would love to try that for sure 😊

[@mjreyes725]

lol!! saw a walis tingting!!!

[@locavore_eats]

Haha not a Filipino household without one 😆

[@mjreyes725]

@@locavore_eats parang Marikina lang!

[@Ajaystylez]

Just a heads up, poke isn’t actually a dessert although it is sweet, us kukis eat it with our main meal just like the mainese, taro etc. I can see why ppl would think it’s a dessert though.

[@locavore_eats]

Oooh very interesting!! Hope we can try different versions soon 🙏

[@karenkalauni7569]

Youse two need to go to my homeland paradise call Niue n try our island delicacy it’s a small island of maybe one thousand two hundred ppl n it’s a 3hr plane flight from NZ n it’s a unique place

[@locavore_eats]

Hopefully we can visit one day!! Sounds like a beautiful place 😊

[@karenkalauni7569]

@@locavore_eats yes it is very peaceful friendly kind n caring ppl

[@markmonteiro2487]

Omg is that Betrand? He is the guy at 2.13 sec. Does anybody know where i can find him? He is the best chef and coolest person ever. FYI he was my roommate in taupe.

[@locavore_eats]

Yup that's him! He runs Sweet & Me so you'll find him there

[@markmonteiro2487]

@@locavore_eats will definitely go see him

[@saynomore3022]

Kuki food yum

[@taeaofoutuilaepa4852]

Poly food will put you to sleep 😂 but that's where the ❤ is at ah 😂 Godbless n OneluvfrmCali 🙏

[@locavore_eats]

Hahahaha truu but yeah felt that comforting love through and through 😇😇😇 Thanks for watching!!!!

[@samsa5ful]

was the guitar tune from a song? it reminded me of something but I can't put my finger on it!

[@locavore_eats]

Tribute by Tenacious D hehehe

[@samsa5ful]

@@locavore_eats thanks for getting back to me about this 😀 I actually found the song by humming it into google. The song I had in mind was "The Connells - '74-'75" -- not the same but similar so that it reminded me of it. I like your videos a lot by the way, which is why I happily subscribed earlier!! Keep up the great videos!!!

[@verdellellis4043]

I was just thinking , With the food you managed to Endure it's a wonder you both haven't gain a lot of weight. LoL

[@locavore_eats]

Haha we try to eat healthy when we’re not filming 😆

[@verdellellis4043]

Your not alone LoL

[@rtasi2000]

its not one of, NZ (auckland) has the largest polynesian population in the world

[@sirkkorus8394]

KUKIS 2DA WORLD 🇨🇰🇨🇰🇨🇰🇨🇰

[@tropicalvibes8154]

Hahaha the Lu pulu is not lu corned beef its salted Beef or povi masima.

[@shawnaokami-rosehill8123]

As a Polynesian, I don’t see most of the stuff as Polynesian food but you Asians wouldn’t know any better

[@locavore_eats]

Hi, would love to have an explanation on what type of foods these are then? Kind regards, Us Asians

[@ametolealofi2228]

PACIFIC cornbread is a way better brand less fat

[@locavore_eats]

But fat = flavour thoooo 😂

[@ametolealofi2228]

@@locavore_eats yepppp and what 🤷🤷🤷😁😁😁😁

[@nasaretasmith9772]

Watch your health

[@02D0MI]

Made me hubgry

[@kathleenwong3119]

Damn those buns should not be $60 🤦🏽‍♀️

[@locavore_eats]

They are pretty pricey indeed 😭 But they do make their own coconut cream from scratch and import the ingredients from the Pacific Islands so probably an additional cost there 😊

[@x-75hurricane65]

Geez that was hard to listen to with all the yabbering in the background! Food looked kapai but wish I could hear what you were saying properly.

[@locavore_eats]

Maybe one day we’ll get a lapel mic 😅

[@leehyunsong7001]

Dude Chinese migrants dont eat chap sui or whatever you call it😅

[@ritaa1359]

Why r there so Many Americans in nz like idk if they like Americans tbh

[@locavore_eats]

We're not American lol

[@kennadiebarbour]

Y’all aren’t Filipino

[@locavore_eats]

who said

[@richardnraikaraika5507]

25 percent less flavor...😂😂😂

[@locavore_eats]

😂😂😂