I was walking along Riccarton Road one evening, not sure what to eat. It had been a long day (after I had breakfast buffet and worked out at the gym in The George Hotel Christchurch) and I just wanted to sit somewhere warm and have a proper meal. That’s when I saw Ancestral Restaurant. I’d walked past it before but never gone in. This time, I smelled garlic and chili coming from the door, and it made me go inside.
Ancestral Restaurant at 35 Riccarton Road Christchurch: A Nice Place for a Tasty Filling Meal
The first thing I noticed was the seating. Along one side was a booth with soft beige cushions and dark wooden tables with small chairs. In the corner, there was a big green plant and also warm lights above the booths.
Near the door there were tall carved vases that kind of looked traditional.
Further inside, I noticed a stone-like wall with ferns growing out of it. Beside it, there was a heater which was a lifesaver on that cold night.
The hallway leading further in was softly lit, with framed pictures and another plant making the place even more cozy. I liked the curved ceiling too, which was modern but not cold.
On another wall there was a chalkboard filled with bright drawings. The word Ancestral was written big across the top. Underneath were drawings of dishes such as Mapo tofu and bubble milk tea. There was even a QR code and some writing about specials.
A television was nearby playing a movie and I saw a sign pointing towards the toilets at the back. All of these details, from the art to the plants and the lighting, made the place feel comfortable , like somewhere you’d hang out again.
I was shown to a booth and noticed there was no paper menu. Instead I found a QR code on the table. I scanned it, placed my order and settled back waiting for what I had ordered. It was quick and simple, which I definitely liked.
The first dish that was brought was spicy beef in chili oil. The bowl was a bright red and the smell was enough to make my stomach growl. The beef was soft and full of flavor from the chili oil. The spice kept building, but I couldn’t stop eating.
Next came the Mapo tofu. I had already seen it on the chalkboard, so I was excited to try it. The tofu was silky, and the sauce had that mix of chili, minced meat, and Sichuan pepper. It had that numbing kick I love, and honestly, this ended up being my favorite dish of the night, no competition at all.
To balance the spice, I ordered some bok choy. The greens were shiny from the wok and still had a nice crunch. Their fresh taste gave me a break from the spicier dishes and made the whole meal feel just right.
I couldn’t resist trying two drinks. The first was taro milk tea, creamy and lightly sweet, perfect between bites of spicy food. The second was brown sugar milk tea with black pearls. The pearls were chewy, and the drink had a caramel sweetness. Between the two, I liked the taro more, but that’s just personal taste.
When all the food was on the table, it looked like way too much food for one person, but I didn’t mind. I stopped for a moment and thought Wow! that’s a lot of food. But I kept eating anyway.
By the time I finished I was full and satisfied. The food was very tasty, just to say the least. As I walked back out onto Riccarton Road (by the way, I also had a great breakfast at the Shanghai Restaurant which is also located on this street) I thought to myself that I would happily come back again.
