Chow down on chowder

Seafood Chowder: a medley of seafood bound in a rich, creamy soup. Here are just a few establishments putting chowder on the map. For more chowder love, you can head to Fishy Fishy, @fishyfishy.nz, serving chowder throughout winter at Lyttleton Farmers’ Market and Fush, @fushshorebro, in Wigram for all things seafood deliciousness. Spoons at the ready; stay warm, Christchurch!

FISHERMAN’S WHARF OUT THE GATE UNDER THE RED VERANDAH

Corner Worcester and Tancred Streets @under_the_red_verandah |

An institution for seafood nostalgia, overlooking the working port of Lyttleton Harbour and the unique blue water of the surrounding bays, is Fisherman’s Wharf Lyttelton. Boasting an informal dining room with giant sharks and fish hanging from the ceiling, safe to say these guys are passionate about seafood. Their chowder was one of the first I had here in Christchurch and has gotten me back again and again. A creamy velouté with fresh fish, squid, prawns, and mussels, but it’s the fried crispy croutons in this chowder that is the real genius. Served on top of the chowder, I recommend squeezing your lemon directly onto the croutons so they can take on the citrus bend to cut through the richness of the soup. Paired best with a chardonnay and pāua dumplings.

Just up from the river, tucked off Williams Street, next to the ANZ bank, is an aquamarine-coloured food truck serving full cups of delicious secret recipe chowder. It is a humble establishment giving a unique alfresco dining experience to the Kaiapoi area. Serving L’Affare coffee, baked spuds, chook slabs, cheesy toasties and, of course, chowder. I stumbled across this food truck while visiting the area, and I felt like I’d found one of the best-kept secrets of Canterbury. A classic chowder with a hefty amount of seafood and a lot of love – and yes, I believe you can totally taste the difference – or maybe it’s the fact that Lee makes everything from scratch, including the stock. A popular haunt for both locals and townies, nestled across from some great shopping spots, including my fav NZULU.

A seafood assortment blanketed in a thick creamy soup of chowder dreams. I understand why these guys aren’t allowed to take this one off the menu. The tender legs of squid, mussels, prawns, and white fish all gloriously swathed in a glossy rich sauce of chowder magic. I was in my happy place here. The cosy décor and view out into the beautiful edible garden of apple trees and herbs create the perfect place to steal away our winter days. An urban oasis with secluded cottage options for dining away from the crowds and keeping cosy for winter bowls of chowder (win-win). This generous bowl of soup is served with thick wedge bread for endless dipping. This place wins on many fronts: its homely aesthetic, flavourful chowder, and bonus points for the coffee and cake to finish.

Dux Dine

28 Riccarton Road

@duxdine |

These guys know how to chowder. The cream isn’t heavy, the stock is pronounced and effortlessly pulls the sauce without that lug of over-richness, and the garlic bread is classic and can carry the chowder with ease. This chunky chowder is laden with potatoes, corn, locally sourced squid, mussels, and firm white fish and is balanced with a good helping of herbs. The portion size is pure Goldilocks – not too big, not too small. The space, while not overlooking the ocean (surely that’s your next venture, Dux?), is perfectly Garden City with a bespoke gin garden (I’m assuming the boujie version of a beer garden). I’m in love with the renovated villa’s white window-laden verandah that’s been transformed into a dining room. Lots of natural light and hanging plants, almost a dine-in greenhouse with tasty food and cocktails. Perfect for winter if you want to feel like you’re outdoors but actually cosy inside with a chowder and bottle of wine.

For Karen McGrath of Southern Alp Sprouts, making people happy and healthy is the purpose of growing naturally nutrient-rich sprouts. When it comes to affordable nutrition, sprouts are a superfood, packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to boost immunity and well-being.

My Food Bag’s Chicken & Prawn Laksa recipe uses Southern Alp Sprouts’ mung bean sprouts to both fortify and complement this nourishing, winter-warming, fresh and spicy dish.