On my first Korean BBQ experience, I had no idea what I was doing. Some pieces were charred beyond recognition, while others could have auditioned for the role of “undercooked poultry” in a culinary horror film.

I did remember really loving the few galbi (grilled ribs) my friends cooked that day, though. So, despite that smoky chaos, I kept tagging along with my Top Reviews team to more K-BBQ outings, determined to improve my grilling game.

And after many misadventures and countless plates of mouth-watering galbi, we finally narrowed down our list to only the most trusty restaurants for consistently delicious meat.  Here’s who made it to our shortlist!

How much does it cost to eat Korean BBQ in Christchurch?

Eating Korean BBQ in Christchurch can cost at least 25 NZD.  This price is just an estimate and will vary depending on the restaurant.

How We Chose

Quality of Ingredients: The foundation of any great meal starts with high-quality ingredients. Whether it’s the marinated meats, fresh vegetables, or side dishes, we looked for restaurants that prioritised premium and often locally sourced ingredients.

Authenticity: Authenticity is crucial. From the traditional marinades and grilling techniques to the variety of banchan (side dishes), we sought out restaurants that were dedicated to providing an experience that closely mirrors what you’d find in Korea.

Dining Atmosphere: The ambience of a restaurant can greatly enhance the dining experience. We looked for settings that added to the overall vibe of the meal, whether it was a cosy, intimate environment or a lively, social one.

Variety: A great Korean BBQ spot should offer a wide range of options to cater to different tastes and dietary preferences. From various types of marinated meats to seafood dishes, the more variety, the better.

1. Jiggle Korean Cuisine and Barbeque

At Jiggle, we get the fun of being our own chef, grilling our choice of premium meats and fresh vegetables on state-of-the-art tabletop grills.

The options for meat are fantastic—various cuts of beef, pork, and chicken. We personally loved the marinated galbi (short ribs), which were tender and flavorful.

Of course, they also have a generous assortment of Korean side dishes. These include everything from kimchi to pancakes.

But we must admit—we can’t stop thinking about the crispy Korean fried chicken, deep-fried seaweed wraps, and their refreshing sashimi salad. These dishes added a modern twist to traditional Korean flavours.

On the downside, we did notice that the prices can be a bit on the higher side compared to other Korean BBQ places we’ve been to.

Customer Reviews

It was the most delicious Korean food I’ve ever had.

“It was the most delicious Korean food I’ve ever had. The restaurant lived up to its reputation as a tasty Korean eatery! The side dishes were also delicious, and the portions were generous, leaving me completely satisfied! While there are many dining options in the Riccarton area, this one was definitely top-notch in terms of quality. The restaurant was also clean, and it’s a place I definitely want to visit again!”

Tatsushi Hasegawa Google Review  

Everything was amazing

I haven’t lived in S.Korea but I lived in Japan before where there is a big Korean community and had a chance to eat authentic Korean dishes. I must say that this restaurant in ChCh has the same level. Everything was fresh and delish! We chose the Korean BBQ menu that includes beef and veggies and some side dishes from soup to kimchi and everything was amazing. The service people are kind and very helpful. I’ll definitely come again.”

Farida Mammadli Google Review 

2. Korea House

From the moment you walk in, Korea House greets you with a warm and cosy atmosphere. The decor is modern and simple enough for a casual night out with friends and family. They also don’t take long to sit you down, which is always a good thing.

Their BBQ combo sets offer a generous assortment of meats, including beef ribeye, pork belly, and marinated chicken. The quality of the meat is also exceptional—tender, juicy, and full of flavour.

And if you’re a huge fan of Korean side dishes, their kimchi and seafood pancakes are very authentic.

When we visited, the staff members were friendly and helpful, and the prices were reasonable. You definitely get great value for your money.

However, it’s worth mentioning that the service can be a bit slow at times, which might be a downside if you’re in a hurry.

Customer Reviews

The portions are big, foods are delicious

“The most authentic Korean restaurant you’ll find in Christchurch! Been craving Korean food after travelling around NZ and was happy to have found a restaurant like this. The portions are big, the food is delicious, and the staff are really nice. We enjoyed it so much that we visited twice in a row. Highly recommend it!!”

Hyeyeon Park Google Review 

The best Korean food in Christchurch

“The best Korean food in Christchurch. Food was simply delicious topped with excellent service from Min and the rest of the crew. We were seated by 6pm and shortly after we ordered the food came out fast. We very highly recommend this hidden gem in Riccarton.”

• Jay Tan Google Review 

3. MukBang Korean BBQ Buffet & Karaoke

Mukbang Korean BBQ Buffet & Karaoke offers an all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ experience combined with the fun of karaoke. It’s perfect for those seeking a budget-friendly venue for parties and group outings.

The BBQ selection was impressive. It almost seemed to us that they had just about everything, from beef and pork to lamb and squid. 

Our favourites here were the marinated bulgogi and galbi, along with the thinly sliced brisket and melt-in-your-mouth pork belly. We definitely had more than three rounds.

Side dish-wise, Mukbang doesn’t disappoint. You can expect traditional offerings, like kimchi, vegetable dishes, and salads. 

The only complaint we have is that the restaurant gets pretty noisy due to all the singing going on.

Customer Reviews

Best Korean BBQ I’ve had in ages.

“Best Korean BBQ I’ve had in ages. Great selection of proteins and a wide variety of other dishes. Kimchi was excellent, but other pickled items lacked flavour, which is my only criticism of the food. Recommend getting a booth/room if you can, as smoke venting isn’t great.”

Tarryn Ryan Google Review  

The pickled radish was so good we kept going back for more

“There are quite a few options of buffet food available, a mix of cooked food, raw meat and seafood to cook, and a bibimbap station. I was pleasantly surprised that there was ice cream too!

We opted for the hot pot, which was great. Chicken soup was nice and fresh, the spicy soup had a good kick to it. All the meat was chilled and fresh, some more suited to bbq but that didn’t stop us from trying everything! The marinated meats were really delicious. Nice array of cooked food too, we especially enjoyed the fried chicken and tempura pumpkin! The selection of banchan was great, the pickled radish was so good we kept going back for more. Ice cream was surprisingly delicious and a great way to end. We are definitely planning on coming back to try the kbbq!”

Samantha M Google Review 

4. The Station – Korean restaurant

This cosy Korean restaurant offers an all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ buffet that’s a food lover’s paradise. Trust us on this one.

We particularly liked the beef bulgogi here—tender and bursting with rich flavours. The chicken was well-seasoned and offered a lighter option, which was a nice change of pace.

We also love that the side dishes stayed true to Korean flavours. The kimchi, though too spicy for us, was absolutely authentic. The bibimbap and the japchae (stir-fried glass noodles mixed with vegetables) were also flavorful and satisfying. 

But we’d highly recommend making a reservation or arriving early to beat the dinner hour rush. They also have limited parking spaces, so you might have to park a bit further away than you’d like.

Customer Reviews

Their beef bulgogi was simply outstanding

“The Station Buffet exceeded all expectations during my recent visit. The staff were incredibly welcoming and attentive, making the dining experience truly enjoyable. Their beef bulgogi was simply outstanding—tender, flavorful, and expertly grilled. Even the water was refreshingly perfect. The cosy yet modern ambiance added to the overall charm. For anyone craving authentic Korean BBQ with exceptional service, The Station Buffet is a must-visit. I can’t wait to return!”

Bernard Teo Google Review  

The vibe inside looks like a local korean restaurant in k-drama

“We were looking for another Korean Bbq and found this place in Papanui. The place looks old outside, but the vibe inside looks like a local korean restaurant in k-drama. The buffet price is $32 dollars which I think is cheap compared to other Korean buffet. The selections are smaller but the quality and taste is really good. We loved the marinated beef and pork. The beef was tender and not chewy. The pork is not too thin which is good. The side dishes selections are great. We loved the seaweed soup. Didn’t try the kimchi soup and miso soup as I was already full. The service is nice and accommodating. We will definitely come back again! 👍”

Jane Uy Google Review 

5. GOGI KOREAN BBQ & KARAOKE

Every mouthful we had at GOGI felt like a little trip to Korea. Plus, there are karaoke rooms, which makes each night out even more fun.

When people talked to us about GOGI, the first thing they raved about was the taste and quality of the meat. Almost everyone liked the pork belly and the bulgogi for their not-too-salty seasonings. 

Aside from the meat, we also liked their prawns and squid. They pair well with the kimchi.

The staff were friendly when we were there and even shared their tips with us for getting the perfect char on the meat. Plus, we loved that they kept the side dishes coming and coming without us having to ask for more.

A few of those we spoke to felt that the pricing is a bit on the higher side, which we agree with. While it’s certainly worth it for a special occasion, it might not be ideal for a casual meal.

We also thought the ventilation could use some improvement. The restaurant can get quite smoky from all the grilling. We ended up leaving GOGI with a distinct BBQ aroma clinging to our clothes.

Customer Reviews

The guys were doing a great job being calm and as helpful as possible

“Came down to Christchurch for an event and we decided to have dinner here on a Saturday. It was very busy which was a good sign. Unfortunately they appeared short staffed but the guys were doing a great job being calm and as helpful as possible. We chose the S23 set and enjoyed our food. It was super tasty – most notable was the seafood pancake!!! The portion could’ve been a bit larger but overall a great place for a great conversation and food. Will definitely return again.”

Vivien Tu Google Review  

The food was really 👌 with all the different side dishes

“I had a work dinner at the beginning of this year, amazing staff, and the food was really 👌 with all the different side dishes. We also had karaoke which was a lovely 1st time experience for us all”

Loreen Kumar Google Review 

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