The Candy Shop (Newmarket, Auckland, New Zealand)

A review of The Candy Shop Newmarket, an Asian-inspired cafe serving bibimbap, omurice, specialty drinks and inventive brunch dishes. Walked in thinking it sold sweets, walked out full of bibimbap and curry. The Candy Shop is Newmarket fusion done right.

Some of the better food discoveries happen when plans fall apart, and that was exactly the case with The Candy Shop. We were in Newmarket, hungry and undecided, torn between Katsu Katsu and Selera. I was craving katsu, but memories of Katsu Katsu’s long queues quickly killed that idea. Selera was next on the list, until we checked the menu and realised prices had crept up far more than we remembered. Inflation really does suck.

So we walked.

Just a couple of minutes away from Rialto Cinema, tucked into a quieter stretch near Osborne Lane, we stumbled upon a place called The Candy Shop. I genuinely thought it was an actual candy store. The neon toffee sign didn’t help. Curiosity won, and we stepped inside, only to be greeted by a massive tray of marinated intestines being prepped near the entrance.

That was the moment I knew this place was going to be interesting.

First Impressions & The Space

Located within the historic Kent Flour Mills building, The Candy Shop feels like a retreat from Newmarket’s main drag. Brick-covered walls, stylish seating, and a calm, airy layout make it an easy place to settle into. It’s unpretentious, a little quirky, and very deliberate in its design, exactly the kind of cafe you’d want to linger in.

It’s also slightly more expensive than most brunch spots, usually a few dollars extra per dish, but once you see the portion sizes and ingredients, it starts to make sense.

The menu runs breakfast and lunch on weekdays, with all-day dining on weekends. You’ll find familiar cafe staples like eggs bene, but the real draw here is the Asian-inspired side of the menu, particularly the Korean-leaning dishes.

What’s With the Intestines?

We had to ask. Turns out the tray of intestines wasn’t for The Candy Shop menu at all; it was prep for the restaurant next door. Same owners, part of the Namu Group, which immediately explains the Korean influence. At night, I am assuming the adjacent Korean restaurant Dweji apparently takes over the space as overflow, hence the intestines as their menu features dishes like gopchang soondae guk. Once that clicked, everything about the menu suddenly made sense.

What We Ordered

Poke Bibimbap (NZ$29.00), Tuna, salmon, salad, rice, sesame oil, gochujang spicy vinaigrette. This was easily the standout dish. Served in a hot stone bowl, the bibimbap arrived vibrant and generously portioned. There’s a lot of gochujang hiding underneath, so yes, it’s properly spicy, but that’s exactly how I like it. The sauce coats the fish beautifully, and the sesame oil ties everything together.

The only thing missing was nurungji, that crispy rice layer you get at the bottom of a traditional dolsot bibimbap. But this is a fusion dish, not a purist one, and once you accept that, it’s a must-order, especially in winter when hot stone bowls just hit differently.

Omurice (NZ$26.00), Japanese curry, mirepoix, bulldog sauce, scrambled egg. Add chicken katsu +NZ$9.00. Let’s be clear, this is not a traditional omurice. If you’re expecting the classic omelette wrapped around rice, don’t bother ordering it for that reason alone. What you get instead is a plate of very good scrambled eggs paired with a solid Japanese-style curry.

The real star here is the chicken katsu add-on. Thick, juicy chicken thigh meat with a proper crunch, cooked perfectly. The curry sauce was spot on, rich without being heavy, and worked extremely well with the eggs and katsu combo. Misnamed dish aside, it’s delicious.

Strawberry Matcha Latte (NZ$9.00), Very much on-trend, but done well. Strong matcha, creamy texture, and not overly sweet. If you like your matcha bold rather than watered down, this one delivers.

Service & Overall Experience

Service was quick, friendly, and efficient. Food came out fast, portions were generous, and everything we tried was packed with flavour. Despite the initial confusion with the entrance and concept, once seated, everything flowed smoothly.

The atmosphere is calm, the staff that attended us was very helpful and lovely, and the space feels designed for people who want to eat well without rushing.

Final Thoughts

Breaking away from traditional cafe food, The Candy Shop doesn’t take itself too seriously, but it knows exactly what it’s doing. It’s a place for guilty pleasures, playful twists, and Asian-inspired comfort dishes that feel just a bit indulgent.

Yes, it’s slightly pricier than your average brunch spot. Yes, the menu can be confusing at first. But once you understand what it’s trying to be, it works, and works well.

Not a candy shop. Not a traditional cafe. Just really good food worth discovering.

The Candy Shop
Address: 2/8 Osborne Street, Newmarket, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
Phone: +64 027 352 0026
Website: https://namugroup.co.nz/candyshop/