
Monday night, I went back to Punjab Indian Restaurant. Last time I visited back in week 2 didn’t thrill me. It was ok, I gave it 3/5.
I decided to grab takeaways on my way back to my unit as I was lugging my suitcase and a full backpack, so wanted to pick something along my way.
My first stop was Anatolia Turkish Restaurant but they didn’t have the zucchini fritters I wanted in my wrap – out of season – so I politely said “ok, maybe next time” and carried on.
The next place that appealed along my route back was Punjab Indian so I thought, what the heck. I decided to go with the Punbaj Sabji – mixed seasonal vegetables with paneer in an onion gravy. I’d not had this particular dish before, its not one you see a many menus. I wasn’t asked about spice level so was going to have it as the chef intended – brave… or foolish?
As you can see in the photo once served with lunch for Tuesday, it was a very generous serving. The containers were actually rounded. It came to $15 and I’m giving it 4/5 – it was delicious but could have done with a touch of heat. It was a mild dish and if I return here, I will try to remember to go for a medium spiced dish. It was much nicer than the Saag Aloo I had last time. The vegetables were fresh and crisp – green beans, capsicum, cauliflower, carrot, peas and probably a few I missed. The onion based curry sauce was beautifully smooth and well flavoured.
Tuesday, I was going to get the old Kiwi favourite of burger (vegetarian) and chips from the Chinese & fish’n’chip shop. However one of the local characters (I call him creepy-huggy guy) was in there ranting at the people behind the counter so I kept walking.

I decided to walk as far as Moray Place and go to The Asian Restaurant – which appears to be Chinese food. They don’t have a website that I can find, but they do have a Facebook page which has a copy of their menu. None of the takeaway items clearly said vegetarian but I asked about the Eggplant Tofu with Black Bean Sauce on Rice and they said it was. They asked if I wanted it with fried or steamed rice. My heart said fried but my head said steamed… with all this food, I need to make sensible choices! So steamed it was. I got a large serving for … $7.50 – what a bargain!
It was a busy place at just after 5pm, they were doing a good trade that early with takeaways and already some dine in people.
I did my usual serve half the dish – it came in one large container with the rice under the vegetables & tofu which is why its all a bit of a jumble in the picture.
It was good, I’m not a huge fan of Chinese food – I find its a bit greasy and dull after Thai and Indian but I’m giving this 4/5. I had a number of people recommend this place so its got a really good reputation amongst the locals. Its nothing to look at but the food is good. I’d definitely go back – its cheaper than the mall foodcourt and its cheaper than what I was going to order at the fish’n’chip shop!
Oh and if you are on a gluten-free died, the sign clearly says to ask about gluten-free meals.

Wednesday night I decided to aim for the burger and chips from Great Wall Takeaway. I ordered the Vegetarian Burger & Chips for $7.50. They have a huge range of the usual fish’n’chip shop items as well as a number of Chinese style meals. I noticed while I was waiting a woman out the back with a huge pile of cauliflowers to chop into small pieces – so they are cooking using fresh vegetables.
The serving of chips was huge – there was no way I could finish the chips and the burger. If you are looking for a vegetarian burger, you can forget McDonald’s and Burger King – neither have them on the menu here in New Zealand. However you will find most of your corner fish’n’chip shops will do one and they really are a mixed lot in terms of content and quality.
I give this one a 3/5 – the “patty” (which some have and some don’t) was obviously home made using the batter from the fish. It had some vegetables in it but not a lot of flavor. The burger also had coleslaw, tomato slices, pineapple ring and cheese. The chips were great though – crispy outside, soft in the middle.
Great value and this place does a roaring trade at lunchtime too – I’ve seen lines of people waiting to get a quick, cheap lunch.

Thursday for lunch I went back to Hikari Sushi and got a handful of vegetarian items. I’ve written about them a number of times so I won’t go into details again but I think you’d be hard pressed to find better. This lot on the platter was $9.20.
Thursday night, I went back to the Cambodian San Restaurant. This time I tried the San Rice Roll – vegetarian and the Char Mushroom – vegetarian which was Shiitake mushroom with onion, cauliflower, broccoli, carrot and bean sprout.
This place was empty at 6pm on a Thursday night and I don’t understand why – its a great deal, the food is good and the women serving are very friendly and polite – I think its still fairly new. They have clearly marked Gluten Free and vegetarian items on their menu.
This was $20 with the September special coupon from their website, would normally be $24.
I think the options I chose last time were more tasty but I’d definitely go back again and probably will next week. I give this 4/5 this time.
Also of note, it was an extremely generous serving for the Char Mushroom.
Next week will be my last week in Dunedin most likely so I think it will “The Best of the Best” to find the ultimate restaurant in Dunedin.

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