As Christchurch’s Korean population grows, so does the city’s culinary offering of authentic Korean dining experiences. Korean restaurants here deliver dishes that are not only tasty, spicy, and delicious but also appealing to both Kiwis and Asian communities alike.
Thus, if you’re a foodie looking to explore the best of Korean restaurants with outstanding cuisine but need help figuring out where to start, this guide lists the top 6 Korean restaurants in Christchurch for a truly mouth-watering experience. Keep in mind that, these Korean restaurants are not Halal restaurants and not advised for Muslim travellers.
In fact, the first restaurant on our list was nominated for Outstanding Restaurant in Canterbury, its owner was nominated for Outstanding Chef of the Year, and its manager was nominated for Outstanding Restaurant Manager. It finally won the following notable awards, underscoring its service and Korean cuisine excellence.
- Awarded Outstanding New Establishment at the Canterbury Hospitality Awards 2024
- Among the 24 restaurants chosen as the Kaikoura-Christchurch-Canterbury region Cuisine Good Food Guide for 2024/25.
Here are the best six!
Top 6 Authentic Korean Restaurants in Christchurch
#1:- Brewda Korean Restaurant
Brewda restaurant is one of the top few restaurants in Christchurch that you must try if you are looking for exceptional, modernized, and signature Korean dishes. The owner and executive chef, Cian Curtin, and head chef Jaehyub Jake Lee, are the secret powerhouses behind these dishes.
Cian, who has several years of experience as a chef in Michelin-starred restaurants globally, snapped up Jake, a professional chef with 12 years of experience in Korea, to start Brewda at the end of 2023. They have since raised Christchurch’s culinary standards.
With a mix of traditional flavours, recipes, pickles, house-fermented kimchi, and fish cakes, Brewda takes your palate through a mouth-watering experience. You can start by having several bites of the delicious lunch bibimbap dishes (tofu, sticky chicken, and bulgogi) before returning for a small, medium, or big dinner and drinks later in the evening. You can try out BBQ chicken, Bulgogi streak, and Tuna Mayo bites, among several dishes available. If you have a dietary issue, you need to mention it to the staff or during the booking process, and they will make the right mix for you.
Brewda is located in the Terrace courtyard at 93 Cashel St, Christchurch. It’s just a 2-minute drive or a 6-minute walk via Cambridge Terrace from the city centre. The restaurant is open Sunday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and closes an hour later on Fridays and Saturdays. It is the perfect and spacious spot to bring friends and family members for a special treat. And it has a whooping 5-star rating on Trip Advisor.
What Other Customers Said:
- Excellent service, food and wine
- Super friendly staff
- Lovely Ambience, eco-friendly interior design, and seating booths or tables
#2:- Korea House Christchurch
Korea House Restaurant is a very popular choice in Christchurch, mainly because of its cheap and delicious traditional Korean dishes. The restaurant has been around since 2000. The Riccarton-based restaurant is located at 6 Nelson Street in Riccarton. It is just an 8-minute drive from the city centre to Korean House via Harper Avenue, Moorhouse Avenue, or Riccarton Avenue.
With quality and fresh flavours alongside good recipes, Korean house chefs steam, chop, and stir-fry the different dishes. Interestingly, you can always view the chefs’ preparation process. Korea House sells its lunch dishes between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, while its dinner dishes are available for sale between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. every day.
You can dine in, takeaway, pre-order, or book a table from their seafood pancake, Kimchi, fried chicken, salads, beef bulgogi, stirred fried dishes, stew and soup, rice dishes, noodles, and drinks. Coming in a group is also allowed and common in the house. The restaurant has a 4.6/5 rating on TripAdvisor.
What Other Customers Said:
- Friendly service, affordable prices, and mostly delicious meals, with a few exceptions
- Excellent, welcoming Korean staff, though your meal serving is slow at times
- A spacious environment with usually plenty of customers
#3:- Seoulful Table
Just behind Canterbury University is the Seoulful table at 112 Creyke Road, Ilam. Several university students like this spot—the sweet and spicy Korean fried chicken, bulgogi, and soy sauce marinated pork to keep them returning. You can also have some tasty treats for lunch or dinner by driving to the restaurant, an 11-minute drive via Fendalton Road or Harper Avenue from the city centre. You can also have a plate of tofu if you are a vegetarian.
It’s good you know they are open for lunch bites, snacks, light meals, and drinks from 11 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. Monday through Friday and evening meals from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Uber Eats could also bring Seoulful delicious treats to your destination.
Several positives about Seoulful Table Restaurant include the clean, tidy, and cozy location, where you can see the chefs’ activities, and the ample parking. Most customers like the place, which is reflected by the beautiful comments and the average 4.6/5 ratings on Google.
What Other Customers Said:
- Mostly delicious meals, but you could meet some cold meals on a few occasions
- Quick and nice staff
- Kid-friendly as kid cutlery and plates are available
#4:- Seoul Tiger
Seoul Tiger is a small but classy restaurant located at the riverside market on 96 Oxford Terrace, Christchurch. It has an outdoor seating space with shades, autumn leaves, larger heaters above the sitting benches and tables and a paid parking space. You mostly likely will ask for more when you taste their Tteokbokki, succulent Korean fried chicken, or a bowl of BulDak or Bulgogi and fresh salad or barbeque. Their other dishes are equally mouth-watering.
If you have no time to go to the restaurant, you can use Uber Eats to deliver it to your doorstep. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day except Sunday when it shuts its doors an hour earlier. It is regarded as one of the best riverside market restaurants, and guests rate it 4.7/5.
What Other Customers Said:
- Guests enjoy the friendly staff, inviting atmosphere, and efficient service.
- The restaurant’s signature dishes are frequently praised for their delicious flavours and unique appeal.
- Some customers have noted the absence of Kimchi on the menu and occasional inconsistencies with spice levels.
#5:- GOGI KOREAN BBQ & KARAOKE
Have you ever wondered where you can enjoy grilled Korean barbecue, fresh salads, bulgogi, kimchi, and a few drinks — whether with family, friends, and coworkers or even on a date? Try out GOGI! There are even several other meals to try out. Vegetarians and vegans are equally welcome- there is a space for all. There are also exciting songs for your group to sing aloud in private Karaoke rooms without intimidation.
You can stay late into the night as GOGI closes at 1 a.m. from Monday to Thursday after opening the establishment by 5 p.m. You are in for more fun and delicious treats if you go there on Sunday when they open from 12 noon till 1 a.m., and closing time is extended to 3 a.m. on Saturdays. You can always go to GOGI, located at 150 Hereford Street, via Cambridge Terrace and Hereford Street, Oxford Terrace and Hereford Street, or Cathedral Square, in a 3-minute drive. You can also make reservations online.
One of the main reasons people visit GOGI is the opportunity to grill the given meat their own way. You’re presented with a selection of meats and vegetables and access to a charcoal grill, allowing you to create the perfect Korean BBQ experience and impress your group with your cooking skills. Even though there are a few visitors, grilling the meats themselves is stressful. Overall, The establishment has a 3/5 rating on Trip Advisor.
What Other Customers Said:
- Over 20,000 fantastic karaoke song playlists from different languages
- Stylish interior, Delicious food, extensive menu, and late-night dining, though
- Average customer support, pricey dishes, and customers are delayed sometimes
#6:- Jiggle Korean Cuisine and Barbeque
This is the second Riccarton-based restaurant, and the second restaurant on our list where you can create a mouth-watering experience by grilling your own BBQ. You’ll receive quality meats, fresh vegetables, and access to a premium tabletop grill to craft your feast. But that’s not all! Diners can choose from an extensive menu of side dishes, including crispy Korean fried chicken, marinated pork ribs, and bibimbap for lunch.
The restaurant is at 95 Riccarton Road, 7-8 minutes from the city centre via Harper, Moorhouse, or Riccarton Avenues. One can also place orders on Uber Eats for home delivery. The spacious restaurant has private rooms for people interested in birthday parties, celebrations, and family or special gatherings. The restaurant serves lunch from 11.30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Also on Sunday 4.30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Most visitors are happy with the services and dishes and rate the restaurant at 4.7/5.
What Other Customers Said:
- Nice and tasty side dishes, though a bit pricey
- Nice and accommodating staff
- Plenty of free parking space
Conclusion
In conclusion, Christchurch is a great location for food lovers looking for authentic Korean cuisine. From Korean BBQs to hearty stews and flavourful side dishes, the above-listed Korean restaurants offer the real taste of authentic Korean food.
Whether you’re an occasional fan of Korean cuisine or addicted to its menu collections, all these restaurants provide a memorable dine-in and takeaway experience.
Bibimbap, Kimchi, Sundubu Jjigae, Bulgogi, Tteokbokki, whatever food you are looking at, you can get it in Christchurch from these restaurants.
Last modified: November 22, 2024
