In Christchurch, finding a truly stellar bowl of phở or a crispy, bánh mì baguette that transports us to the bustling streets of Hanoi is surprisingly tricky. Our initial forays were met with decent but also ultimately forgettable experiences.
Disheartened but not defeated, we embarked on a quest to sniff out all the best Vietnamese restaurants in Christchurch, simmering with authenticity and bursting with vibrant tastes. And let us tell you, Christchurch holds some secret weapons when it comes to Vietnamese cuisine.
From steaming bowls of pho that hit all the right notes to sizzling plates of sizzling lemongrass chicken, here are all of Christchurch’s best Vietnamese restaurants for you to try!
Address: 185 Manchester Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
Hours:
Monday to Saturday – 10 AM to 2:30 PM & 5 PM to 9 PM
Sunday – 11 AM to 4 PM
Phone: +64272762238
Banh Mi Kitchen’s namesake dish, banh mi, is where it’s at. These Vietnamese baguettes are fresh, crispy, and piled high with all the good stuff.
Their chicken noodle salad is a refreshing option, perfect for a light lunch. And for something more substantial, the Vietnamese pork skewers are pretty darn good.
And don’t sleep on the spring rolls!
Pro Tip: Get the meatball banh mi. Those savoury meatballs add a unique twist to the classic sandwich.
Address: 8 Brake Street, Upper Riccarton, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 3 PM & 5 PM to 9 PM
Phone: +6433489381
Royal Vietnamese Cafe & Restaurant serves up a variety of regional specialities, taking you on a culinary tour of Vietnam. It’s not just pho (though theirs is fantastic!).
You can’t go wrong with the roasted duck on rice. It’s a favourite, and for good reason.
The sizzling beef satay is another crowd-pleaser. Tender marinated strips of beef are cooked to perfection and served on a bed of sizzling onions.
Craving something lighter? Their rice vermicelli dishes are fantastic.
For dessert, the che ba mau is a must. This traditional Vietnamese dessert combines coconut milk, shaved ice, and various toppings like beans and jellies.
Address: BNZ center, 120, Hereford Street, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
Hours: Monday to Saturday – 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Phone: +64275948047
Miss Saigon pho bo dac biet is a must-try. This classic beef noodle soup is packed with flavour, with tender cuts of beef swimming in a rich and comforting broth.
And their spring rolls hit the spot. You can’t go wrong with these bad boys.
Their bun thit nuong cha gio is for the win too. And don’t forget the banh mi. Miss Saigon’s version is sure to satisfy.
Pro Tip: Wash it all down with a cup of Vietnamese tea!
Address: Shop 32/363 Colombo Street, Sydenham, Christchurch 8023, New Zealand
Hours:
Monday to Saturday – 9 AM to 5 PM
Saturday – 10 AM to 5 PM
Phone: +64221887519
Little Vietnam packs a punch with its fresh and flavorful Vietnamese cuisine. Start your meal with the spring rolls. They’re bursting with crisp vegetables and herbs, wrapped in perfectly light rice paper.
Or try the bun cha ha noi. You’ll get grilled pork patties, marinated in a secret (probably magical) sauce, served with rice noodles, fresh herbs, and a sweet and savoury dipping sauce.
Little Vietnam’s take on the classic banh mi is also fantastic.
Pro Tip: Don’t be shy about asking for recommendations if you want to try something really authentic on the menu.
Address: BNZ Pavillion 2/109 Cashel Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
Phone: +6432420794
BB nails the essence of Vietnamese street food: fresh, punchy flavours at affordable prices. Be sure to try their signature combo breakfast skillet. It’s a flavour explosion of eggs, sausage, and all the yummy fixings you crave in a morning meal.
And no Vietnamese food adventure is complete without a banh mi, and BB’s are next-level. Their pork floss banh mi is a must-order. The crispy baguette overflows with savoury pork floss, pickled veggies, and creamy pate—it’s the perfect balance of textures and tastes.
Pro Tip: Want to cool down on a hot day? Get their shaved ice with pandan syrup.
Address: 8/235 Riccarton Road, Riccarton, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM & 5 PM to 9:30 PM
Phone: +6433412258
On Hello Vietnam’s extensive menu, they have something for everyone, from pho (noodle soup) and vermicelli bowls to sizzling stir-fries and curries.
If you’re stuck on what to order, definitely consider their crispy king prawns with garlic and chili. Or try the Vietnamese sweet and sour squid or the flavorful Vietnamese fish curry.
Pro Tip: Try their banh xeo, a crispy Vietnamese pancake.They usually come filled with pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts and wrapped in lettuce leaves with herbs for dipping in a nuoc cham sauce.
Address: 547 Colombo Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
Hours:
Sunday to Thursday – 11:30 AM to 3 PM & 5 PM to 9:30 PM
Friday & Saturday – 11:30 AM to 3 PM & 5 PM to 10 PM
Phone: +6433655889
At Saigon Centre, forget fancy frills; Saigon Centre focuses on what matters: delicious, traditional Vietnamese food. Their BBQ pork ribs are legendary—fall-off-the-bone tender and bursting with flavor.
The coconut chicken is another winner, with its creamy sauce and perfectly cooked chicken. And for a fun twist, try the satay chicken kabobs, grilled to perfection and served with their signature peanut sauce.
Pro Tip: Get the whole chilli-salt chicken. It packs a punch, so be warned, but the flavour is incredible!
Address: 123 Victoria Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 5 PM to 10 PM
Phone: +6433650862
You Hanoi Me takes classic Vietnamese dishes and gives them a fresh, modern spin. You’ve got to try the Saigon chicken. The lemongrass and chilli give it a good flavour.
And for something truly unique, try the Viet fried disco eggs—a local favourite that’s a delicious mystery (you’ll have to order it to find out!).
Of course, no Vietnamese food journey is complete without a steaming bowl of pho, and You Hanoi Me’s classic version is sure to hit the spot.
Pro Tip: Feeling overwhelmed by the choices? Go for the chef’s banquet. This way, you get to experience a variety of their best dishes, all chosen by the experts themselves.
Address: 184 Clarence Street, Riccarton, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
Hours:
Monday to Thursday – 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM
Friday & Saturday – 11:30 AM to 10 PM
Phone: +6433488879
Saigon Star deserves a spot on your Christchurch Vietnamese food crawl. Their seafood pho is a must-order for any pho fanatic.
Craving a bit of everything? Their Vietnamese combination fried rice is your answer. And their grilled pork and egg on steamed rice is a classic winner for a reason.
Pro Tip: Try Saigon Star’s clitoria flower ice tea. This vibrant blue tea is not only beautiful but also boasts some potential health benefits.
Address: 250 Clyde Road, Bryndwr, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 11:30 AM to 2 PM & 5 PM to 9 PM
Phone: +6433517178
Five Star Vietnamese Restaurant isn’t just about pho. Their menu boasts a variety of other Vietnamese classics, like grilled pork on broken rice.
This dish is a flavour explosion. The savoury caramelised pork pairs perfectly with the fluffy broken rice, and the fresh herbs and pickled vegetables add a delightful crunch.
If you don’t feel like pork, get their pan-fried fish with hints of lemongrass and chilli. Of course, Five Star’s fresh spring rolls are a must too.
Address: 18/96 Oxford Terrace, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
Hours:
Monday to Thursday – 10 AM to 5:30 PM
Friday & Saturday – 10 AM to 8:30 PM
Sunday – 10 AM to 4:30 PM
Hanoi Alley is all about the delicious, no-frills vibe. It’s perfect to satisfy your Vietnamese cravings. Their homemade deep-fried rolls are the perfect starter to share (or not, we won’t judge).
And their grilled pork bun cha is worth trying too. But if you‘re craving something warm and comforting, the chicken noodle soup at Hanoi Alley hits the spot.
Pro Tip: Ask for a side of mam nem (fermented fish sauce).
Address: 265 Halswell Road, Halswell, Christchurch 8025, New Zealand
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 5 PM to 9 PM
Phone: +6432601799
Forget bland, watered-down versions. Hoi An House uses traditional recipes to create dishes that burst with authentic Vietnamese taste.
Don’t miss their signature Hanoi pork meatballs—a savoury explosion in every bite. Feeling adventurous? Try the hawker roll, a classic Vietnamese street food experience wrapped up in a delicious package.
And for a healthy yet comforting option, the Hoi An bowl is a winner. Just pick your protein—chicken or prawn.
Pro Tip: If you’re a fan of fish and salads, give the Mekong fish salad a try.
Address: 6 Wakefield Avenue, Sumner, Christchurch 8081, New Zealand
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 5 PM to 8:30 PM
Phone: +6433264352
Le Xom isn’t just about pho (though we’re sure theirs is delicious). They focus on bringing the vibrant street food culture of Vietnam straight to your plate.
They have delicious sizzling coconut prawns, crispy spring rolls that shatter with a satisfying crunch, and a refreshing nah trang ceviche. They’ve even got classic favourites like satay chicken skewers for those who like things familiar.
Pro Tip: Le Xom does pickup and delivery too!
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