New Zealand, a land of natural beauty and cultural diversity is also home to some of the world’s most delicious fast food. With a population of over 5 million, Kiwis have a wide variety of options when it comes to fast food, from international chains to local favourites.
In this blog post, we will explore the most popular fast food in New Zealand, including its history, cultural significance, and why it has become a staple in Kiwi cuisine.
Whether you’re a visitor to the land of the long white cloud or a local looking for a quick and tasty meal, this guide will give you an insight into the world of fast food in New Zealand. So let’s dive in and discover what makes these fast food options so popular among Kiwis!
What fast foods are in New Zealand?
One of the most popular types of fast food in New Zealand is fried chicken. The two major brands are KFC and Chicken Liken, similar to American chains but with a subtle Kiwi spin.
Fast food restaurants in New Zealand sell plain pieces of dark meat for $2.99 (Australian dollars), and you can purchase a meal with a drink and fries for under $10. KFC also is famous for its hot chips.
Which are sold in buckets of 20, 30, or 40 depending on the size you want. They usually cost around $3-4 (Australian dollars) and are commonly sold as a side to any meal. The most popular fast food in New Zealand is pizza, which can be bought from numerous takeaway stores around town or through delivery.
Some of the biggest chains are Pizza Hut and Domino’s Pizza. Other than that, you may come across different Italian dishes like pasta, lasagne or cannoli and a small selection of Chinese fast food.
most popular fast food in New Zealand:
1. Fish & Chips:
New Zealanders love their fish and chips for dinner or a snack. It’s more expensive than other fast foods, but the quality is great. You can order it from any local takeaway store for around $4 (Australian dollars) per piece.
2. Pizza:
The most popular fast food in New Zealand is pizza. You can buy it at every corner, from almost any takeaway store or supermarket for around $5 (Australian dollars) per slice.
Don’t let the price fool you! It’s so good that it’s worth trying. There are many varieties to choose from: vegetarian, meat and cheese only – find your favourite topping!
3. Chocolate:
If you are a huge fan of chocolate or want to treat yourself to something delicious and sweet, skip the chocolates sold at supermarkets and local shops. Instead, go for Green & Black’s products.
They’re made in New Zealand, including organic dark chocolate bars, mint chocolate wafers, and more! You can get them from any supermarket or speciality store for around $5-6 (Australian dollars).
4. Chips, cheese or chilli with melted cheese on top:
The invention of fast-food lovers! A must-try if you are in New Zealand! It’s usually cheaper than burgers at only $3-4 (Australian dollars) per portion.
5. Hot dog/Sausage roll:
Probably the tastiest fast-food snack out there. Its taste reminds us of childhood when we would buy them from a shop or market stall – yummy sausages inside fluffy white bread rolls with warm mustard. From time to time, you can also find the alternative version of it: jaffles.
Food jaffle is a cone-shaped bread roll with your favourite filling inside – meat, cheese etc. It’s great to eat on the go.
6. Fish/chips or fish sandwich:
This one is great for people who don’t like burgers too much and prefer something more original. The best thing about this fast food is that you can find it almost anywhere in New Zealand! You will never get bored of this taste!
7. Doughnuts/ice cream cake:
Kiwis love their doughnuts! The quality is great, but it’s nothing special for a foreigner. You should try one if you are here. Get it from any local bakery or supermarket for less than $3 (Australian dollars).
If you are craving something sweet after dinner but don’t want to spoil your appetite – there is another option for you – ice cream cake! Pick your favourite flavour and enjoy.
8. Vegetarian food:
It’s not easy to find healthy and tasty vegetarian/vegan fast food, but if you are a health freak or just looking for something refreshing and nutritious – go for it! You can try many options from Indian cuisines such as dosa (a type of thin pancake) with different fillings, samosas and pakoras.
There are also speciality stores where you can choose between vegan pastries, wraps and burgers made without meat.
9. Yoghurt:
In New Zealand, you can buy it from any supermarket or takeaway store for only a couple of dollars. The tastes are great – there is something for everyone!
10. Meat pies:
Another iconic food of NZ that you should try if you’re here. Kiwis love meat pies similar to Australian sausage rolls, but they have different fillings and taste way better than Australian ones. There is also a vegetarian option with cheese filling – yum!
What is the most popular type of fast food?
As in every country, burgers are also popular fast food menu items in New Zealand. There are several major players, including Burger King, Wendy’s and McDonald’s. Depending on where you live, you might come across the local brands of Burger Fuel or Grills.
The price can vary from $3 (Australian dollars) for a plain burger to more than $10 (Australian dollars) for a meal with fries and a drink.
Burger Fuel sells a wide range of gourmet burgers, like the Tiki burger topped with cheese, bacon, fried onions and BBQ sauce. It can be difficult to make up your mind because there are so many burgers available!
Not only do fast-food chains offer burgers. There is a trend of making your burger at home or going to the backyard and throwing it on the barbeque. It has become very popular, and it has spread all over New Zealand from Wellington to Auckland. People like cooking their food themselves, getting creative with toppings, meat choices, sauces etc.
The Bottom Line
With so many fast-food restaurants in New Zealand, it can be not easy to decide which one is the most popular. But we have narrowed down our list, and this is what we found!
If you are looking for a specific restaurant that wasn’t mentioned here or want more information on any of these places, please let us know, and we will do our best to answer your question. And if you liked this post, don’t forget to subscribe and share it with your friends!
