Christchurch is not just a place with a beautiful old name. It is also the largest city on the South Island of New Zealand and the center of the Canterbury region, making it one of the most important civilized parts of the country. The place itself has a long history of both indigenous and colonial habitation, and an important milestone in its ongoing development and change was a series of earthquakes that changed the face of the city in the early 2010s. The modern face of Christchurch is shaped by its history, people and culture, combining a unique set of influences. The food also reflects this.
Fish and chips is a national British fast food dish known all over the world. It consists of deep-fried fish fillets (cod or haddock) accompanied by chips. Side dishes such as soft beans, gherkins, or onions are often served with fish and chips.
The best fish and chips in Christchurch restaurants
The main influence on modern New Zealand cuisine is naturally traditional British food. Despite the years and changing trends in cooking and presentation, the old recipes, formulas and dishes persist. This of course includes the predominantly British fish and chips offering.
Parmo – a less obvious choice
Another European influence on our list is not as iconic as fish and chips, but still essentially English. Parmo is a breaded cutlet of chicken or pork topped with white bechamel sauce and cheese, usually cheddar cheese. It is said to have been invented by Nicos Harris, an Italian naval chef who opened a restaurant after retirement and invented the recipe in 1958. Common parmo variations include additional toppings and meat preparation, depending on the region and individual recipes.
Eggs Benedict – a modern approach
The next item on the list is more modern than the classic, but still more formal than some of the more colorful alternatives. Eggs Benedict is a brunch dish consisting of two halves of an English muffin, each covered with Canadian bacon, a poached egg, and hollandaise sauce. As you can see, it’s quite nutritious, but not too heavy on the stomach. This makes Eggs Benedict the perfect dish for a big city like Christchurch, and the essentially European ingredients are a perfect match for the tradition.
Hello Sunday Cafe offers some of the best options.
Spring rolls are an Asian gift
Fortunately, the British influence is not the only one shaping the territory of the modern gastronomic scene in New Zealand. For example, spring rolls, a popular snack format popular in China and Southeast Asia, are quite widespread in Christchurch. The type of wrapper, fillings and cooking technique used, as well as the name, vary depending on the chef and the traditions of the restaurant. Vegetables and seafood are the most popular ingredients.
Hello Vietnam has a funny name but delicious food.
Buns – nothing fancy
Originally made from oats and baked in a frying pan, today’s version is more often made from flour and baked in the oven. This dish most likely originated in the British Isles in the 16th century. It is believed that its name means “good bread”.
Little Pom’s would be the perfect place to try it.
Poached eggs – cute and compact
The next suggestion on our list is often part of more complex dishes, but can be used as a separate product. Poached eggs are types of eggs that have been cooked without shells by poaching or sometimes steaming. Poached eggs are used in the traditional American breakfast dish Eggs Benedict and similar dishes such as Eggs Florentine and Eggs Mornay. Poached eggs are popular all over the world, and all kinds of variations can be found in Christchurch.
Caffeine Lab has great eggs.
Pavlova – soft inside
An interesting fact about this dessert is that it is named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova. This meringue dessert has a crispy crust and is soft inside. Pavlova can be decorated with fruit and whipped cream.
Twenty Seven Steps offers a variety of pavlova.