When Azabu burst onto the scene last year, we became fans, fast. Lured in by its exotic Nikkei cuisine — a tantalising Japanese-Peruvian hybrid that celebrates fresh seafood and umami-driven dishes — it quickly became a regular stop in for us and many other discerning Auckland diners. Now, giving us the chance to indulge in the border-crossing fare more often, the Ponsonby Road restaurant’s Roji Bar lunch menu is available to take away.

An elevated weekday option, the fresh fare is a welcome departure from the commonly carbohydrate-driven foods that dominate the workday lunch scene. With dishes like pulled pork or fish tempura tacos; a salmon and guacamole donburi bowl; snapper ceviche; and the much-loved seared tuna sashimi tostada with punchy wasabi tartare, the versatile carte proves that fast food can still be fresh.

Here to lift our weekday lunches to lofty new heights and save us from sandwich monotony, Azabu takeaways are cultivated convenience we plan on making the most of.

Roji Bar Takeaways:
12-4pm, Monday-Friday