In celebration of Auckland Restaurant Month, I will be posting 31 quick-fire reviews on 31 restaurants and cafes in the Auckland CBD and city fringe.

The atmosphere is…
A surprisingly cozy space with clean lines, mood lighting, 6 tables and plenty of standing room. The jars and bottles of sochu may be decoration and/or ingredients for cocktails. We visited on a quiet weeknight but I can see this place filling up easily.

Come here for…
Very good Japanese fusion bar snacks. Their pork buns and tacos are divine. The softest, loveliest buns I’ve eaten in a long time. Their cocktail is extensive and very experimental.

The most interesting thing on the menu…

• Spiced roast duck taco

Unexpectedly wonderful…

• Steamed pork buns
• Sole tempura taco
• The temperature inside on a cold winter’s night

I would come back to try…

• Braised miso short rib taco
• Japanese gimlet

Catering to…
Afterwork and lunch time drinkers and snackers. Not many vegetarian options. Gluten free options not marked on menu.

Expect to spend…
$20-$40 per person

The service is…
Great. Just one man behind the bar who came to our table and talked us through the menu and specials. More staff in the kitchen who made brief appearances. Please note, this is a bar rather than a restaurant. You might not always get table service, especially when busy.

Avoid if…
You don’t drink or eat seafood/meat.

Auckland Restaurant Month special:
$25 FOR TWO COURSES AND A SHOCHU COCKTAIL

Courses include a steamed pork bun, your choice of tacos and Fukuko shochu cocktail (from the $14 menu) of your choice.

Fukuko
43 Tyler Street, Britomart
Open every day except Monday and Sunday
http://fukuko.co.nz