Restaurant Review: Matou Chinese Cuisine

FRIENDLY SERVICE: Matou Chinese Cuisine offers a wide variety of meals that won't break the budget. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

Matou Chinese Cuisine has recently moved to Rotorua from Whakatane, taking up residence on Hinemoa St where Aunty Annie's Cafe used to be.

Manager Ting Wang said the move was made after an episode of the popular Chinese reality show Dad, Where Are We Going? screened to millions of people in China, placing Rotorua in Chinese consciousness as a must-see destination.

It offers takeaway and dine-in options in a relaxed setting for low prices. Manager Ting Wang said it wanted to show Rotorua that Chinese food can be healthy and fresh. It also wanted to show different styles of food that come from China.

Asian cooking ingredients are for sale in the restaurant.

I was seated with water by a friendly waiter as soon as I walked in. You are not overwhelmed with choice as you can be with some Chinese eateries.

The Drinks: Matou is licensed and has a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Sake and feijoa wine are served by the glass and by the bottle. Pinot gris, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, shiraz and pinot noir are served by the glass from $7.50 and up to $45 by the bottle. Spirits and a wide variety of beers, including light and low-alcohol and the Chinese Tsing Tao brand.

The Food: The Kung Pao chicken was made fresh to order. It was served as a generous size, possibly enough to share between two people. It came with a selection of vegetables in a sweet and sour sauce. Matou also serves a variety of other dishes including beef curry with rice, sushi and kimchi fried rice.

The service was exceptionally friendly and attentive.

The prices: The Kung Pao chicken was $12 and dishes start from $7.

Overall: It was a pleasant experience with friendly staff willing to explain each meal and make recommendations. I would go there again, to dine in or get takeaways. Matou is open from 10am to 3pm Monday through Saturday. Dinner service starts at 5pm, and the restaurant closes at 11.30pm.