Asian influence, Wellington ‘tude. QT Wellington is thrilled to share Hot Sauce is back with a bang for the better part of the summer season. The city’s best-kept secret no more, this harbourside watering hole is abuzz with electric energy and fragrant flavours of import. With a fresh new menu and tunes at the ready, the electric-eclectic Asian bar and eatery is the place to be from daytime bites to night lights.
A worldy new menu takes inspiration extracted from all across Asia, it’s a deliberate departure from authentic, breaking all the rules of fusion fare with Head Chef Koko Aung at the helm. He brings more than 20 years of culinary experience working in 5-star hotels from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, Malaysia and Singapore.
“The team is tremendously excited to be reopening and sharing our new menu with both local Wellingtonians and those who are here to explore the city. Hot Sauce can take your palate on a whirlwind tour across Asia in one night – it’s sure to be something special,” said Chef Koko.
Hot Sauce has all palates covered. The menu boasts bites perfect for sharing; flame-grilled lemongrass chicken skewers, crispy popcorn chicken slathered in a smoky maple glaze, and fresh sashimi dishes of Ōra King salmon. Larger appetites will not be disappointed with the return of Hot Sauce’s revamped ‘Big Time’ offering; signature lamb rendang, beef with oyster sauce and fragrant vegetable yellow curry are on offer, each served with steamed or coconut rice.
Taking diners deep into uncharted umami territory where sharing thrives and trusting the chef is highly encouraged, try a little of a lot with Hot Sauce’s wildcard offering, ‘Trust the Chef’. The prixe fixe feasting experience at $69 per person, it’s big on flavour and on value, and combines the best of Chef Aung’s selection, curated for the table to share.
With a plethora of Japanese whisky –16 to be exact– local beers on tap, Asian-inspired mocktails and a new rotation of signature cocktails with an eastern embrace, guests will be spoiled for choice. The lychee iced tea is a fruity blend of vodka, lychee liqueur, lime and peach, with the tangy soju apple martini will join the ever-popular Japanese Negroni, featuring Roku gin and Kokutu umeshu plum wine.
