88 Chinese Restaurant — Restaurant in North Island

Service still needs to improve. I ordered BBQ pork and roasted duck which hangs in the cabinet. Helen mentioned the price of $35 per kg and asked how much I wanted. I pointed to the BBQ pork portions hanging and said "just one of portion of this" but she wasn't listening as she went on to repeat that the price is $35 and asked "so how much do you want. . $5, $10? because the minimum is $5. I couldn't understand why I couldn't just order a portion and pay the price of the weight of that portion as long as it was over the minimum and so I asked for $10 worth. A man cut roasted pork and the duck he took already portioned in a foamed container. When Helen handed my pack, I advised her that I don't think I've got what I ordered. She wasn't happy and said that I'd said roast pork and although I pointed to what I wanted she wasn't happy and neither was the man who had to cut BBQ pork. Helen said that they are both hanging in the same place and so she didnt know which one i pointed to!! I would think that one would ask to make sure. There were 4 more people around me and I felt embarrassed. Not a good feeling when you're paying for goods. It was repeated to me that if I want to order the next time and she proceeded to point and tell me from the same point where she was when I ordered that this one is CRISPY pork and the other BBQ pork. I DIDN'T ask for CRISPY pork!! Anyway after all this drama, I enjoyed the flavours but sadly had an allergic reaction that night with itchy scalp and body with rashes and swelling. Antihistamine and a doctor's visit and a week later I am much better. NOT going back...

We went to this restaurant just coz it was the first one to come up on my Google search for a Chinese restaurant.

Being here for a holiday, we didn’t know that we needed to make a reservation. We didn’t realize how fortunate we were that the high table was available for us up until we started eating our food. WOW!!! Everything we had was simply delicious!!!

Our kids had the crispy Roast Pork meal each and they said that this was the best crispy roast pork they’ve had 😊 Skin was crispy and pork meat was juicy and tender 😊

We also ordered the Hot and Sour Soup which is the best my wife and I had hear in NZ so far 🤤

Salted Egg Prawn paired with the 88 Fried rice was an awesome combination. Those two orders alone could have fed our family of four, but my wife and I wanted to try other dishes too 💗

The Taosi spareribs are the best we’ve had, hands down!!!

Siu mai was so succulent and steamed to perfection that it didn’t burn your tongue. Best in NZ for us too 💗

We ended it with their Sesame Balls. OMG!!! The best sesame balls we’ve had ever!!! 😊

We’ve tried these dishes in Hong Kong, Singapore, Philippines, and the USA. I am not exaggerating in saying that most of what we ordered was the best we’ve had so far!!! Only exception would be the Salted Egg Prawns. I’ll have to give that to Singapore 😊

Everything we ordered could have fed 5 adults easily 🙂

And of course, I have to mention how hospitable all their staff and owners are 💗💗💗

Will definitely come back to this resto when we’re back...

This place is AMAZING. From the outside you'd be forgiven for thinking this was your run of the mill Chinese takeaway with a restaurant attached. Sitting down looking at the menu you'll probably find yourself thinking "Is this too authentic for me?" But, when Top the waiter comes around and talks you through it all you'll start to feel that familiar excited anticipation about what wonders your meal will behold. As your food crosses the room everyone's eyes move with it. Dancing, Top expertly manoeuvres himself towards you. By now you're truly hungry, and the sight of the steam rising off your meal makes your mouth water. "HURRY UP TOP" you say to yourself. He seems to enjoy teasing you. Finally the food' placed on the lazy Suzan and you're into it. Chopsticks clatter and the slurping of dumplings fill the air. Out of the corner of your eye you catch the next dish. "Sweet and Sour Pork, Is this real life?" and again Top teases you with his approach. As the sweetness of the pineapple contrasts with the sour of the sauce your tastebuds are confused. Yet you won't stop. You can't stop. And the meal is gone. Giving yourself a couple minutes to compose you gather your belongings and make your way to the door. As you leave, Tops uncle asks "how was your meal?" Almost instinctively you reply with the usual "it was good", but as you walk out the door and look back in amazement you think to yourself "This...