My first attempt at making tteokbokki—the iconic Korean spicy rice cakes—should have been chewy and tender, but they ended up stubbornly glued together in a sticky clump. The gochujang sauce bubbled over and splattered all over my shirt. 

That was my first and last attempt at cooking Korean food. Since then, I’ve stuck to eating out because at least then, the only thing I have to worry about is how much spice I can handle.

If you’re like me and can’t be trusted in the kitchen but just can’t give up good food, here are all the Korean restaurants in Christchurch that have earned stars from me for their awesome Korean cuisine.

1. Seoul Pocha CHCH

Seoul Pocha makes you feel like you’re in the bustling side streets of Seoul. I went here with a couple of friends on a Friday night, and the vibe is a big part of what we liked. Neon lights, K-pop playing—it really did feel like a Korean street food joint. 

The iPad ordering system was a cool touch—no flagging down staff, just tap and your food is on its way. It made it easy for us to keep adding dishes as we went, especially once we started on the soju.

We started with the original Yang-Neom fried chicken. It was crispy, sticky, sweet, and just a little spicy. It’s the kind of fried chicken you keep reaching for, even when you’re already full. 

The corn cheese was another favourite. It’s gooey, cheesy, and had me scraping the plate for the last bite.

We also tried the hot pot, which was bubbling away at our table and packed with flavour—lots of veggies and noodles, and just the right level of heat.

The only downside is that this place can get pretty loud when it’s busy, so don’t expect a quiet dinner. 

If you love Korean food you must go here

“Wow, I have no bad things to say about this restaurant. Everything about this place is so good, the service from staff is excellent, the food is really delicious and to top it all off, the interior is really cool!! If you love Korean food you must go here! It felt like we were in the side streets of Seoul for a second. I will highly recommend this place to all of my friends and anyone who loves Korea.”

• Mangobri Google Reviews 

Food was so delicious

“An absolute gem of a place. The atmosphere was amazing. The k pop songs playing on the background added a cool fun vibe to it. The menu is small and the mains were around $40 but it is definitely a sharing restaurant. We ordered the fish stew, the original and the fish roe rice plus soju and milka and it came up to $86 for the both of us.

Food was so delicious. We will definitely come again and try the bigger stews.”

• Petrina Janessa Google Reviews 

2. SEOULFUL TABLE

Seoulful Table is relaxed, clean, and tidy. You can see the chefs working away in the open kitchen, which I always like because it feels honest and welcoming.

The group I went with started with the garlic soy chicken, and honestly, this was the star of the meal. The chicken was super crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The garlic soy glaze was just right—not too sweet, not too salty. If you’re into fried chicken, this is the one to get.

Their black bean ramen is a good pick if you want something milder but still full of flavour. I love the chewy noodles, the rich black bean sauce, and the egg added a nice creaminess when I mixed it in. 

I also enjoyed the school gimbap. It’s the classic Korean picnic roll, and here it comes with smoked ham inside. It’s not fancy, but it’s satisfying in that “I could eat a whole tray of these” kind of way.

The one thing I didn’t love was that the portion sizes are on the smaller side for the price. 

The staff provided friendly service and the food was delicious

“The store is an open kitchen with a hip design, and the food was set neatly. Pork cutlet was friendly because it was very similar to the old Korean pork cutlet. The staff provided friendly service and the food was delicious. It is a fascinating restaurant to recommend. Love to visit again thanks”

• mamatomochu Google Reviews 

Absolutely delicious, with fresh ingredients

”I recently visited this Korean restaurant and had an exceptional experience. The place is spotlessly clean and well-maintained, creating a pleasant dining environment. The kimbap was absolutely delicious, with fresh ingredients and perfectly seasoned rice. The Bulgogi Kimbap and Chicken Kimbap were especially noteworthy, as they were made fresh to order and tasted incredibly delicious. In addition to the kimbap, I also tried the fried chicken, and it was fantastic. Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and seasoned to perfection—definitely a must-try!

What really stood out to me was the friendly and attentive staff. They were quick to greet us, and their service was prompt and efficient throughout our meal. They went out of their way to ensure we had everything we needed, making the experience even more enjoyable.

Overall, I highly recommend this kimbap restaurant for anyone looking for a great meal in a welcoming atmosphere. I will definitely be returning!”

• Candy Kim Google Review 

3. Brewda

For a special night out or if you want to impress someone with cool Korean fusion, Brewda is where you go. 

The bulgogi steak we tried here was really good. The skirt beef was cooked tender and juicy, and the roasted onion puree added a nice sweetness that balanced the savoury meat. 

If you’re usually on the fence about lamb, their lamb galbi might change your mind. I loved how their lamb galbi was super soft and fell apart with a fork. The galbi broth was rich and delicious with the creamy mashed potatoes. 

But my favourite here was their take on tteokbokki. Instead of the usual rice cakes, they use gnocchi, which is kind of genius. The gnocchi is chewy but softer than regular tteok, and the gochujang sauce is spicy and a little sweet. 

The crumbed bocconcini and parmesan on top give it this creamy, cheesy twist that totally works. 

The only thing I don’t like is the price—Brewda is on the expensive side, especially if you’re used to more casual Korean places. 

One bite and—bam!—the authentic Korean flavors hit me

“The food was extraordinary! It looked like Western cuisine, but one bite and—bam!—the authentic Korean flavors hit me, giving me a homesickness. The friendly staff and cozy atmosphere were added bonuses.”

• Cindy Lee, Google Reviews

Authentic Korean cuisine with a delightful modern twist

“Absolutely amazing experience at Brewda Korean Fusion! The flavors were a perfect blend of authentic Korean cuisine with a delightful modern twist. Every dish was thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented. The staff were incredibly friendly and attentive, making us feel welcome from the moment we walked in. I highly recommend trying their Honey Butter Squid, Bulgogi Beef Steak, Tteok Bok Ki and of course the dessert – Hotteok! – they were a standout! The cozy ambiance and excellent service made our dining experience unforgettable. Whether you’re a fan of Korean food or just looking for a unique dining experience in Christchurch, Brewda is a must-visit. We’ll definitely be back on our next trip!” 

• Tony Gui, Google Reviews 

4. MukBang Korean BBQ Buffet & Karaoke

MukBang Korean BBQ Buffet & Karaoke is where you go if you want to grill, eat way too much, and maybe embarrass yourselves in a karaoke room after.

They have a hotpot buffet, but it’s the BBQ that really shines here. There’s also a classic Korean buffet if you’re not into grilling. 

Now, I must admit that it’s definitely on the pricey side—$55 per person. For that price, I expected a bit more flexibility, but you only get one selection of sauce. There’s also a strict restriction on lettuce for ssam (the lettuce wraps). 

In addition, the “refillable” banchan is limited to two times per dish, which is a bit disappointing if you love your side dishes.

Still, the buffet setup is impressive—I love that there’s a huge range of meats to choose from. I kept going back for more bulgogi beef and pork. Both were really well marinated and cooked to juicy perfection on the grill, full of flavour. 

Their DIY bibimbap was also good—being able to build your own bowl with all the toppings was fun. It tasted great, especially with a bit of crispy rice from the hot stone bowl.

Ingredients were fresh, well displayed and the servers were very attentive. 

“Given that most of the customers were Asian, I’d guess this is the place to go for BBQ.  Ingredients were fresh, well displayed and the servers were very attentive.  Always fun to relax, have a drink and watch your food cook in front of you.  Good value”

• Michael Rabideau Google Reviews 

Each bite was a burst of flavour, fresh and mouthwatering

“Mukbang Korean BBQ Buffet is an absolute gem! From the moment I stepped in, the atmosphere was inviting and vibrant. The ambience sets the perfect stage for a delightful dining experience. As a first-timer, I was a bit nervous, but the incredibly helpful staff made the whole process seamless and enjoyable. They guided me through the menu and grilling techniques with such patience and enthusiasm. Now, let’s talk about the food—simply divine! Each bite was a burst of flavour, fresh and mouthwatering. The variety of dishes offered something for everyone, and the quality was top-notch. Whether you’re a seasoned BBQ lover or a newbie, Mukbang Korean BBQ Buffet is an experience you don’t want to miss. Highly recommend!

Enjoy! 😋”

• John Doe Google Reviews

5. Korea House (한국관)

Here’s the honest truth about Korea House: the food here is genuinely solid, but you’ll need to be patient. When we arrived, the place was packed, and it took about an hour before anyone came by to take our order. 

It was clear the restaurant was really understaffed for the size of the crowd. Other tables looked just as restless, so it wasn’t just my friends and me. But once we ordered our food, though, things improved fast. 

The Fried Chicken Sweet & Spicy was our favourite—crispy on the outside, sticky and tangy from the sauce, with just enough heat to keep you reaching for more. 

The tteokbokki was the kind of dish that made us forget how long we’d waited. I loved how the chewy rice cakes didn’t soak up all the spicy sauce but kept all the flavour. 

I also liked how their Spicy Beef Soup was deep and rich, with plenty of beef brisket and just enough chilli to clear your sinuses. 

Very delicious Korean food

“Very delicious Korean food. We enjoyed dinner here three days in a row. The beef bulgogi is absolutely amazing and the stir fried pork is also great. We also tried the really good chicken. A very nice addon is, that you get the classic side dishes and they refill those. Friendly staff and lightning quick in getting the meal ready.”

• Oliver Mosblech, Google 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, foods are delicious, and the staffs are really nice. We enjoyed it so much that we visited twice in a row. Highly recommend it!!”

• Hyeyeon Park Google Reviews 

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