Meet Fugu!

Tell us about Fugu.

Fugu is pufferfish, poisonous if prepared wrong, but if you're talking about us, then I guess we're "the matcha people! or "the matcha bike!". But to us, fugu is a way we can share our love of tea and other Japanese-inspired drinks with our community.

At the moment, we're focusing on Matcha, it's a finely stone-ground green tea, only grown in Japan. Traditionally it was consumed by monks, and later samurai due to its health benefits, such as increased focus and relaxation. Although we love matcha, we're slowly branching out to showcase some other types of tea that we're interested in.

If you could only drink one beverage for the rest of your life (other than water), what would it be?

We would be partly lying if we said we could drink matcha for the rest of our lives. Tal can't stay away from Supreme's Cascara Fizz,, which is also delicious with a dash of cream. But for Hij, she's all matcha.

Favourite place to eat in Welly?

Hands down, you can always find us at Young Shing on Willis St. We almost always get the Horfun with Egg Gravy, Chilli Oil Wontons, Tofu Casserole, Steamed Chicken Leg, and usually a pot of Pu'er Tea to wash it all down. It always hits the spot, and bonus points for it being a BYO and the staff being super lovely.

Best kept secret in Wellington?

They say Wellington is the coffee capital and there is an insane amount of cafes. When we are after a coffee, we don't go to a cafe, we actually go to a bar. Elixir on Chew's Lane does the best coffee (and hot choco) in our humble opinion. Their machine is on until midnight and they also sport some of the best cocktails in town - eclectic and not shy to lace everything with chartreuse or fernet.

Who’s someone worth mentioning that's doing good things at the moment?

Everybody Eats is no secret nowadays, but their mission to tackle food waste, food poverty, social issues and inequality in a revolutionary way is admirable. Whilst doing so, they are building community - from volunteers, professional chefs, and those who dine there. There have been times whilst studying when we really appreciated having an organisation like this. Thank you Everybody Eats, 10/10 chefs kiss.

Follow @fugu.nz to stay updated with their antics and when and where you can find them around Wellington.

A shoutout from Fugu...

We really wouldn't be where we are without the help of a few people, and businesses. Big love goes out (in no particular order) to; Boring, Coffee Outdoors, Orange on Cuba, Good House Keeping, Richard Beauchamp, That Was Then This is Now, Alpha 60, The Post, Coffee Supreme, Abel, Tanuki and Co, Customs, and, everybody who bought a drink, told their friends, or even just walked by and said "cool shit keep it up". They're the ones who make Fugu.