New Zealand

Travel bites: Fat Pipi’s well-known whitebait pizza is even much better than a fritter


Natural marvels, human-made monoliths and cultural experiences generally work as the heading sights when venturing beyond borders and hopping over oceans. For some, it’s regional specials that rise like Michaelangelo’s David and make the journey completely worth it.

France has its french fries, Belgium has its biscuits and Australia has its dark brown yeast spread, however in this series we’ll be highlighting food worth circumnavigating New Zealand for. Stamp these cooking enjoys your passport– simply do not anticipate pineapple-flavoured swellings.

For as long as I can keep in mind, whitebait has actually been among my preferred foods. My love for these little fish features a substantial side of regret, nevertheless, as 4 of New Zealand’s 6 whitebait types are categorised as threatened or at threat of termination

So it’s an unusual reward. But on a current journey down to the West Coast, which boasts the nation’s biggest volume of whitebait, I was figured out to get my repair.

The famous whitebait pizza from Fat Pipi Pizzas in Hokitika.

SiobhanDownes/Stuff

The well-known whitebait pizza from Fat Pipi Pizzas in Hokitika.

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Fat Pipi Pizzas in Hokitika was high up on my list. Since opening in 2006, this wacky little pizzeria has actually ended up being something of a regional legend, understood for its curious topping mixes– such as the well-known whitebait pizza.

It was a typically damp and uninspiring night in Hokitika when my fellow traveler and I ventured out for supper, with the Tasman Sea roaring away in the background. Fat Pipi Pizzas’ intense yellow letters were an inviting beacon in the gloom.

The dining establishment appears like a rustic tin shed on the outdoors, however on the within it’s more like a cosy log cabin. They likewise have an outside dining location out the back, ideal throughout from the driftwood-strewn beach.

You can't miss Fat Pipi Pizzas in Hokitika.

SiobhanDownes/Stuff

You can’t miss out on Fat Pipi Pizzas in Hokitika.

Fat Pipi has a substantial menu of pizzas and pastas, however I just had eyes for their signature meal. The whitebait pizza can be found in the medium size, with a base smothered in garlic butter and topped with a generous 140 grams worth of the special folded into a beaten egg, sprayed with parsley, mozzarella and a number of lemon wedges for squeezing.

Purists will inform you the only method to consume whitebait remains in a fritter, preferably utilizing just egg whites to maintain the fragile flavour, served in between buttered white bread.

I would have concurred with them, up until I attempted that pizza. My dining mates groaned in disgust as I peeled a single whitebait off the top– much like how, as a kid, I utilized to pluck any fish that were poking out the sides of my fritter– and popped it into my mouth.

Then I got an entire piece and took a bite. It resembled a whitebait fritter on steroids; the thick, practically garlic bread-like base serving as the best lorry for the lots of little fish swimming in the eggy, tacky mix on top. Despite the non-traditional additions, the flavours were subtle enough that the whitebait was still the star of the program.

It may not be the most standard method to have whitebait– or pizza, for that matter– however as they state, when on the West Coast, do as the Coasters do.

Fact file:

Where to consume: FatPipi Pizzas lies at 89 Revell Street,Hokitika The whitebait pizza costs $26 See fatpipi.nz

Staying safe: NewZealand is presently under Covid-19 constraints. For the most recent travel guidelines see covid19 govt.nz

Do you have a preferred treat worth taking a trip for? Email us at travel@stuff.co.nz or let us understand in the remarks.



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