Breakfast with Flair
welcome to Chur Bae
En route to breakfast, I exit the Swiss-Belsuites and turn south on Adelaide St. After cresting the hill, I pass some construction workers preparing for the day. Sadly, a few of them are vaping. I’d love a cigarette right now.
Chur Bae sits at the east end of Sale St. on the second floor of an outdoor carpark. As far as parking lots go, this is a nice one. To get to the second floor, you take a spiral staircase adorned with two large bird-of-paradise plants in full bloom. When I reach the top, I’m slightly out of breath.
My destination is in view, and I can see that it’s quiet.
Monday morning. I’m happy.
I walk in the door, and one of the staff says, “You’re back!”
“I sure am! I plan to order the whole menu before I leave this town.”
I’ve yet to eat the Morning Smash, so I request one of those. When it arrives, I’m floored. It’s a breakfast sandwich with bacon, a fried egg, gochujang mayo, pickled onion, and the best hash brown patty you’ve ever tasted, sandwiched on an English muffin.
I’ve been a breakfast lover all my life, and yet, I rarely find a breakfast that I am truly impressed by. Sure, places serve good eggs Benedict, pancakes, waffles, and the other classics, but I’ve never had anything like the breakfast at Chur Bae. It’s breakfast with a twist, a welcome change. They use many of the same ingredients: eggs, sausage, English muffins, hash browns, smoked salmon, etc., but the flair is what makes it special. Dishes come with perfectly runny eggs, gochujang sauce, and even fried lotus roots. Excuse me? Yes, fried lotus roots. When it arrived on my plate, I didn’t know what it was, but I put it in my mouth. Quickly followed by a question to Claude.
Not only is the flair impressive, but so are the people serving you. On my first day in Auckland, I arrived at 6:00 am after traveling for 20+ hours, and I was starving. A friend described the restaurant as the best breakfast in town. On this first day, I ordered the Nduja Hash and requested it sans sour cream. The guy behind the counter asked if I would like to replace the sour cream with hummus.
Why yes, sir, I would absolutely love to do that. Thank you so much for offering. Sadly, I had to take it to go.
The next morning, I went back for breakfast round two. Despite being a customer only once before, I was instantly recognized. I ordered the same Nduja Hash. Today, I would eat in. The vibe yesterday was impeccable, and the food was delicious, but on this morning, I’d learn if it was a fluke.
It wasn’t. The Nduja Hash tasted even better than it did the day before, and as I sat in a window seat overlooking Auckland, I watched the staff interact with every single customer the way they interacted with me. Friendly. Genuine. Welcoming.
I returned to Chur Bae for nearly every breakfast during my two weeks in Auckland. I’d sit in the corner seat, observe the city, and read my book. With the drizzly Auckland weather, it was the best way to start my day.
I had hoped to determine the best item on the menu, but it was an impossible task. At the moment, it’s a tie between the Morning Smash and Nduja Hash. The Smash is the breakfast sandwich to rule them all. It deserves to be eaten with intention. It’s not for the faint of heart or to be consumed while driving. The Nduja Hash was the most interesting breakfast meal I have ever had. Part Middle Eastern, thanks to the hummus, and part Latin, thanks to the crispy chorizo.
I went for lunch one day and quickly realized that I shouldn’t have because I now felt obligated to try everything on the lunch menu. I’ll save that mission for next time.
On my last day in the city, I observed the breakfast joint with a keen eye. Some elements I had noticed before, but what I hadn’t seen was the ceiling. It was just an extension of the parking lot above it — concrete and exposed pipes. As I thought about how I missed this detail, I realized it was because everything at eye level was so compelling that I never even bothered to look up. I couldn’t even tell you what the floor looked like, but it’s probably concrete. How could a place like this feel so warm when it’s sandwiched between two rocks? Probably because, much like the Morning Smash, it’s what’s inside the sandwich that matters.
What made Chur Bae magical was the energy I felt when I walked through the door. An amalgamation of smells, soft lighting, smiles, and the murmur of morning conversations. All of it contributed to this warmth that I hadn’t felt from a breakfast joint in a long time. I wish I could go back for today, but I’m not sure I can justify the plane ticket.
Instead, I’ll imagine myself walking out of the restaurant with a full belly and warm heart. Drifting across the parking lot, only to be greeted by a rainbow. Heading down the spiral staircase, glancing at the birds of paradise, and taking on the day.
Sounds magical Cliff! Really love the food descriptors I felt as tho I was enjoying it alongside you!
Thank you!
Yet another beautiful piece! 🙌🏻
Nothing better than finding a good spot during an extended stay and making it your spot. Place looks bomb!