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Fans of yum cha and Chinese barbecue are in for a treat with the opening of Kung Fu Chef, a new authentic Chinese restaurant in Ōrewa.
Business partners, Andy Zhu and Max Wei, previously each ran restaurants in Howick and transformed the former Thai restaurant into a light, bright and welcoming space that can seat more than 100 people.
The head chef has come from five star hotels in China, the barbecue chef has 15 years’ experience and the yum cha chef – Andy’s brother – has been creating dim sum and other dishes for 30 years.
“This food is from southern China, where it is mostly steamed, so it is food that is healthier, not all deep fried,” Andy says.
He says many of the dishes have distinctive sauces and there is an extensive seafood section using premium ingredients, such as Australian banana prawns and whole blue cod.
Kung Fu Chef – the name was chosen as “people know it’s Chinese straightaway” – opens every day except Monday, with yum cha served from 11am to 3pm, dinner from 5pm to 10pm and a takeaway menu as well. The restaurant is fully licensed, but also allows BYO.
Andy says they are keen to serve the area’s many retirees, and discounts will be offered for Gold Card holders, as well as the burgeoning influx of young families in Millwater and Milldale. They can also offer small private functions.
He moved to New Zealand as a child 25 years ago and hopes to move with his family to the Orewa area in future, while Max migrated from China 10 years ago and lives in Browns Bay.
