Cafe Ditto

About Cafe Ditto

Ditto is a walk-in street food spot serving South-meets-East Asian flavours with a Kiwi twist. The menu is built around big, bold, fun dishes: large fluffy steamed bao buns, chirashi-style sushi bowls, Japanese katsu, Filipino lomi noodle broth and lumpiang Shanghai spring rolls, plus loaded fries, Asian-inspired salads and a weekly specials board. Everything can be eaten in or taken away, ordered at the counter or online.

The kitchen leans on fresh New Zealand and seasonal ingredients where possible, with sustainable fair-trade sourcing and community connections behind the scenes, and there are options for vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free diners right across the menu.

Ordering is simple: pay at the counter, collect a quirky table paddle, and the team brings the food out. It's a first-in, first-served kind of place with no bookings, and it fills up on busy summer days, so arriving earlier helps. The space is family friendly, and furry friends are welcome out on the courtyard.

The drinks list goes deep, with Central Otago and Hawke's Bay wines by the glass and bottle, bottled and canned craft beer and cider, a sparkling sake from Queenstown, loose-leaf tea, kombucha, and a full coffee menu that includes a slow-filtered Vietnamese coffee worth planning for.

Ditto Tuakau: Asian Street Food, Bao and Sushi Bowls with a Kiwi Twist

Ditto is built around a simple loop — meet, eat, repeat — and the menu backs it up with big, punchy flavours drawn from Asian street food and reworked with a Kiwi accent. The kitchen calls it South-meets-East Asian street food: fresh, fun and packed with flavour. It's a walk-in, order-at-the-counter kind of place — pay when you order, collect one of the quirky table paddles, and the food comes out to you. Whether you're settling in for a long lunch or grabbing something on the run, everything on the menu can be ordered for takeaway, either at the counter or online.

What's on the plate

The bao buns are the heart of the menu — one large, warm, fluffy steamed bun per serve, a style that traces back to Northern China. Feathered brings buttermilk fried chicken with pickled red onion; Porky is slow cooked pork belly with crackle; Ocean pairs market fish with capers; Bambi features Fiordland wild venison with beetroot relish and peanuts; Toufie covers vegetarians with crispy tofu, shiitake and sriracha; and Breaky stacks bacon, hash brown, egg and smokey BBQ. Add fries and you've got the Bao Feast, a takeaway-only upgrade.

Sushi bowls follow the chirashi tradition — 'scattered' sushi served in a bowl — with Chashu Don Pork, Karaage Chicken, Spicy Tuna and a plant-based Crispy Tofu bowl, most of them dairy free and gluten free, and with the option to swap sushi rice for cauliflower rice. Around those sit a Japanese-style katsu chicken meal with slaw and pickled ginger, a Filipino beef lomi noodle broth, lumpiang Shanghai crispy pork spring rolls, loaded fries in Vietnamese, poutine and kimchi-led styles, and an Asian-inspired Japanese slaw you can top with karaage, tuna or tofu. A specials board rotates weekly, so it pays to ask what's on.

Sourcing with care

Ditto works with New Zealand's best seasonal ingredients, sourcing fresh local produce wherever possible and favouring sustainable, fair-trade products, with community connections part of the plan. The kitchen is careful with allergens too — it holds and produces allergen foods, so if you have an allergy or dietary requirement, tell the team first so cross-contamination can be avoided. Vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free diners are well catered for, with (df), (gf) and (v) markers running right through the menu.

The experience

Expect a relaxed, family-friendly room with space for the whole crew — and for furry friends, who are welcome out on the courtyard. There are no bookings; it's first in, first served, and summer days get busy, so arriving earlier makes everything easier. Gift vouchers are available in-store, perfect for anyone who wants to pass on the full Ditto experience.

The drinks list

The bar is a destination in its own right. Wines lean on New Zealand regions: Central Otago pinot noir and rosé, Hawke's Bay syrah and chardonnay, Marlborough sauvignon blanc and an Otago pinot gris, poured by the glass and the bottle, with French brut and Italian prosecco in small formats alongside. Beer is bottled and canned only — no tap — spanning hazy IPA, pale ale, pilsner, APA and an oat stout, plus cider, alcoholic ginger beer and low- and non-alcoholic options. There's even a sparkling sake with apple and pear from Queenstown, blending centuries-old Japanese brewing with a bold Kiwi collaboration.

Day timers are covered too: loose-leaf tea from New Zealand breakfast to lemongrass and ginger, kombucha, sparkling drinks and juices, and a full coffee menu with vanilla, caramel and hazelnut syrups and almond, oat, coconut or soy milks. The Vietnamese coffee filters for around ten minutes — worth the wait.

Before you go

Come hungry, and come early on a fine summer day. Ask about the specials board, mention any allergies before you order, and don't be shy about sharing — bao and sushi bowls are made for it. If you'd like a lighter base, cauliflower rice is on offer for the sushi bowls. And if the sofa is calling, everything can be ordered to go at the counter or online.

Signature items

• Porky Bao
• Feathered Bao
• Spicy Tuna Sushi Bowl
• Katsu Chicken Meal
• Beef Lomi
• Lumpiang Shanghai

Menu

Beer

• Sawmill Hazy IPA — Hazy IPA from Sawmill.
• Sawmill Pale Ale — Pale ale from Sawmill.
• Sawmill Pilsner — Pilsner from Sawmill.
• b.effect Mexican Lager — Gluten-free Mexican-style lager.
• b.effect Wanaka Lager — Lager from b.effect.
• Panhead Supercharger APA — American pale ale from Panhead.
• Panhead Blacktop Oat Stout — Oat stout from Panhead.
• Asahi — Japanese lager; all beer is bottled and canned only, no tap.
• Tiger — Classic Asian lager.
• Corona — Mexican lager.

Sake

• Awa Sparkling Sake with Apple & Pear — Sparkling sake from Zenkuro with Altitude Brewing, Queenstown; 330ml can.

Fries

• Bowl of Fries — House-seasoned fries, small or large, with aioli, BBQ sauce or gravy on the side; vegan, dairy free, gluten free.
• Tofu Chips — Garlic and sriracha tofu chips; vegan, dairy free, gluten free.

Juice

• Juice — Choose orange, pineapple, apple, cranberry or tomato.

Katsu

• Katsu Chicken Meal — Japanese crispy cutlet with Japanese slaw, basmati rice, okonomiyaki sauce, aioli and pickled ginger.

Coffee

• Flat White — Espresso with steamed milk.
• Cappuccino — Espresso with steamed and frothed milk.
• Mochaccino — Espresso with chocolate and steamed milk.
• Latte — Espresso with plenty of steamed milk.
• Long Black — Espresso poured over hot water.
• Macchiato — Espresso marked with a little milk.
• Piccolo — Small espresso-based milk coffee.
• Americano — Espresso with hot water.
• Espresso — A straight shot.
• Hot Chocolate — Chocolate with steamed milk.
• Chai Latte — Spiced chai with steamed milk.
• Matcha Latte — Matcha green tea with steamed milk.
• Iced Chocolate — Served over ice.
• Iced Latte — Served over ice.
• Iced Mocha — Served over ice.
• Iced Matcha Latte — Served over ice.
• Vietnamese Coffee — Filter style — allow around 10 minutes to brew.

Extras

• Prawn Crackers — Crisp prawn crackers; dairy free, gluten free, vegan.
• Pork Crackle — Crunchy pork crackle; dairy free, gluten free.
• Edamame — Simple edamame; dairy free, gluten free, vegan.

Salads

• Japanese Slaw — Red and white cabbage, carrot, edamame, spring onion, seaweed salad and sesame dressing; vegan, dairy free, gluten free. Small or large, add karaage, tuna or tofu.

Spirits

• Spirits — Ask the staff about the selection — standard pours and top shelf.

Bao Buns

• Feathered — Buttermilk fried chicken, cucumber, carrot, pickled red onion, aioli and okonomiyaki sauce.
• Porky — Slow cooked pork belly, cucumber, carrot, crackle, aioli, okonomiyaki sauce and coriander.
• Ocean — Market fish, carrot, cucumber, aioli, okonomiyaki sauce and capers.
• Bambi — Fiordland wild venison, silver beet, mung beans, beetroot relish, aioli, okonomiyaki sauce and peanuts.
• Toufie — Crispy tofu, shiitake, mung beans, carrot, cucumber, red onion, beetroot relish, sriracha and aioli; vegetarian.
• Breaky — Bacon, hash brown, egg, smokey BBQ, aioli and crispy onion.
• Bao Feast — Add a side of fries to your bao — takeaway only.

Kombucha

• b.alive Jasmine Kombucha — Jasmine tea kombucha.
• b.alive Earl Grey Kombucha — Earl Grey tea kombucha.

Red Wine

• Putangi Pinot Noir — Central Otago; red berries, coffee and chocolate notes, medium bodied with fine tannins. Glass or bottle.
• Clearview Estate Syrah — Hawke's Bay; vibrant blueberry and floral notes from the cool Te Awanga breezes. Glass or bottle.
• Craggy Range Gimblett Gravels Te Kahu — Hawke's Bay Bordeaux-style blend with dark fruit, cocoa and spice. Bottle.

Sushi Bowls

• Chashu Don Pork — Slow cooked pork belly, carrot, mung beans, lettuce, kimchi, edamame, braising reduction, aioli and tempura nori; dairy free, gluten free.
• Karaage Chicken — Carrot, mung beans, cucumber, lettuce, edamame, chilli sauce, aioli and tempura nori; dairy free, gluten free.
• Spicy Tuna — Raw tuna, carrot, cucumber, seaweed salad, wakame, avocado, kimchi, pickled ginger, sesame, chilli sauce and tempura nori; dairy free, gluten free.
• Crispy Tofu — Mung beans, carrot, cucumber, avocado, edamame, shiitake, pickled ginger, miso and chilli with tempura nori; vegan, dairy free, gluten free.

Karma Drinks

• Karma Sparkling — Cola, Lemmy, Gingerella, Razza or sugar free Lemmy and Cola.
• Karma Juice — Apple and blackcurrant; orange, mango and apple; or apple, lemon, ginger and turmeric.
• Karma Sparkling Water — Green apple or peach and guava.

Loaded Fries

• Vietnamese — Carrot, coriander, mung beans, okonomiyaki sauce, garlic aioli, chilli sauce and roasted peanuts; vegan, dairy free, gluten free.
• Poutine — Fries with house gravy and cottage cheese; vegan, gluten free.
• Kim Grass — Kimchi, seaweed salad, aioli and bonito flakes; dairy free, gluten free.

Spring Rolls

• Lumpiang Shanghai — Filipino crispy pork spring rolls with carrot, onion and garlic, and a tangy garlic and chilli dipping sauce.

Filipino Lomi

• Beef Lomi — Filipino-style noodle broth with beef, spices, rice noodles, mung beans, coriander, onions and egg; dairy free and gluten free.

Loose Leaf Tea

• Loose Leaf Tea — New Zealand breakfast, Earl Grey blue flower, peppermint, high grade jasmine, strawberry kiwi, Zen garden or lemongrass and ginger.

Sparkling Wine

• Veuve du Vernay Brut — French brut, served in 200ml bottles.
• La Gioiosa Prosecco — Italian prosecco in 200ml bottles.

White & Rose Wine

• Two Rivers Convergence Sauvignon Blanc — Marlborough; lime, guava and fresh herbs, mineral-edged with crisp acidity. Glass or bottle.
• Te Kano Life Pinot Gris — Otago; lychee, nashi pear and ginger spice with a clean mineral finish. Glass or bottle.
• Clearview Estate White Caps Chardonnay — Hawke's Bay; rich and buttery with oak and peach stone fruit. Bottle.
• Wet Jacket Rose — Central Otago; dry and elegant with peach, pink apple and red berries. Bottle.

Cider & Ginger Beer

• Crimson Badger Ginger Beer — Alcoholic ginger beer.
• Morningcider Habanero & Lime — Habanero and lime cider in a 440ml can.
• Morningcider Strawberry Rose Cider — Strawberry rosé cider from Morningcider.

Low & Non-Alcoholic

• Sawmill Bare Beer — Low-alcohol beer at 0.5%.
• b.effect Wanaka Light — Light lager at 2.5%.
• Morningcider Crisp Apple — Zero-percent alcohol cider.

Frequently asked questions

Do you take bookings?

No — Ditto is a walk-in, first-in first-served kind of place. It gets quite busy in summer, so the earlier you come by, the better.

How does ordering work?

Place your order at the counter and pay when ordering. You'll be given one of the quirky table paddles, and the team delivers the goods to your table.

Can I order takeaway?

Yes — everything on the menu can be ordered to-go. Pop in and order at the counter, or place your order online.

Do you cater to dietary requirements?

Yes — there are options for vegetarians, vegans and dairy-free and gluten-free diners. Let the team know your needs; the kitchen holds and produces allergen foods, so they must know first to avoid cross-contamination.

Are you family friendly?

Absolutely — there's plenty of space for the whole crew, including furry friends on the courtyard.

Do you have gift vouchers?

Yes — vouchers are available in-store, perfect for food lovers who want the full Ditto experience.

What kind of food do you serve?

Bold, vibrant South-meets-East Asian street food with a Kiwi twist — bao buns, chirashi-style sushi bowls, katsu, Filipino lomi and lumpia, salads and loaded fries.

Tips

• {"body":"Ditto is walk-in only, first in first served, and summer days get busy, so arriving earlier means an easier time.","title":"No bookings — come early in summer"}
• {"body":"It takes about ten minutes to filter, so get your order in at the counter when you sit down.","title":"Order the Vietnamese coffee early"}
• {"body":"Weekly specials rotate — ask the team what's on when you order.","title":"Check the specials board"}
• {"body":"Furry friends can join you outside, and there's plenty of space for the whole crew.","title":"Dogs are welcome on the courtyard"}
• {"body":"Sushi bowls can be made with cauliflower rice instead of sushi rice — just ask.","title":"Swap to cauliflower rice"}

Good to know

• {"family":"Plenty of space for the whole crew; dogs welcome on the courtyard.","dietary":"Vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free options; sushi rice can be swapped for cauliflower rice. Coffee with almond, oat, coconut or soy milk. Kitchen handles allergens — tell staff first.","payments":"Order and pay at the counter when ordering; online ordering available for takeaway."}