On My Plate: Kaikoura

Where:  Nin’s Bin, Kaikoura Coast, New Zealand

What:  New Zealand green-lipped mussels

While famous for its New Zealand crayfish since 1977, Nin’s Bin also offers up some of the freshest mussels around. These giant and beautiful bivalve specimens were everything a mussel should be, and more. Lightly steamed in a dash of local white wine, and garnished with fresh dill and a lemon slice, they are best eaten without any further distractions. Surely enough, they didn’t last long, and we hopped back in the car to continue on the beautiful coastal drive to Kaikoura.

This photo is nearly as fresh as the mussels—Mike is currently doing research in New Zealand and shared this meal from the road.