Sweet as Rice — Restaurant in North Island

Popped in for a quick lunch. For the restaurant itself, it seems like they’ve shut down the further half of the dining area which made it look quite dingy. For the table we got the crispy prawn garlic, sweet and sour chicken and the spicy prawns. The crispy prawns were still completely in their shell and spit fried allowing for no flavour to penetrate. They had also overcooked them. To add to it all they hadn’t even cleaned them properly. You could still see that they were not deveined! We went up to the manager/?owner and let her know that this was the case and she and the chef said “that’s how we eat it and that’s how it is”.

While I understand cultural differences exist in how people eat their food, this is a safely and food prep issue. Regardless of their opinion, they should have acknowledged the feedback in the least.

One of their argument was that no other customers complain and we said that’s probs because said customers would have assumed that like any half decent restaurant they would have cleansed the prawns from any prawn faeces.

They finally took it back and did not hold back their expressions till we left. Meanwhile the chicken sweet and sour (which was chicken doused with a mix of ketchup, honey and double strength sugar syrup) crystallised into candy on the table. The food was mediocre but unfortunately the ability to take feedback was even worse. I would not...

If you're craving authentic Vietnamese cuisine with a touch of charm, "Sweet as Rice" in Rotorua is a must-visit. From the moment you step in, you're greeted with a warm and inviting atmosphere that sets the stage for an unforgettable dining experience.

The menu is a delightful journey through Vietnamese flavors, offering everything from crispy pancakes to tender BBQ ribs. The portions are generous, and the freshness of the ingredients shines through in every bite. A standout dish is their Tom Yum fried rice—an off-menu gem that's bursting with flavor. And don't miss their calamari, which is tender and perfectly seasoned.

The service is equally impressive, with friendly staff who go above and beyond to ensure your meal is perfect. Whether you're dining in or grabbing takeout, the experience is seamless and satisfying.

"Sweet as Rice" is more than just a restaurant; it's a celebration of Vietnamese culinary artistry. Highly recommended for food lovers and anyone looking to explore the vibrant...

We've been meaning to try this place out since it opened and finally managed a quick bite tonight.

Whilst the decor is sparse and plain the restaurant is very clean and functional with lots of space to have big groups if needed.

We were quickly greeted by a lovely, smiley lady who gave us the secluded table we asked for. She quickly returned to take our order and the food came out swiftly after that.

We shared a Pork Bahn Mi and a Beef Pho. Both dishes were delightful,tasty and flavourful. We rate our Beef Pho Credentials in particular ;) Vietnamese is our usual go to and we have eaten both of these dishes all over the world. You can tell that the chef has put a lot of love and care into the broth and we were really impressed. The Pork in the Bahn Mi was outstanding and the entire mix was a perfect balance of flavors.

It's so nice to see new places open up in Rotorua and we will definitely be back to...