Evil Genius brings a playful street-food sensibility to the edge of the Ferrymead estuary. The premises combine a rustic dining room, a compact bar known as the Lair and an open courtyard, so the atmosphere can shift from a sheltered meal to drinks outdoors by the water. It is a deliberately social setting rather than a formal one, with food, music and the changing programme of evening entertainment all contributing to the character of the visit.
The kitchen looks across Asia for bold flavours and packages them into plates made for sharing. Dumplings come with either pork and coriander or shiitake, accompanied by apple wasabi oil, sweet soy, furikake and pickled ginger. Bao offer several distinct combinations: pork belly, sticky spicy chicken, tofu or beef can be matched with pickles and slaw. These are compact dishes, but the contrast between soft buns, crisp garnishes, heat and acidity gives a table plenty to explore.
Plant-based choices are built into the menu rather than added as an afterthought. Shiitake dumplings and the tofu bao carry their own savoury combinations, making it straightforward for a mixed group to order across the table. Dessert keeps the Asian influence visible in a different register. Matcha and sake tiramisu is paired with strawberry compote, while roasted sweet potato arrives with five-spice crumble, sticky toffee and vanilla ice cream, turning a familiar comfort-food idea into something more distinctive.
Shared dining is also the guiding idea for organised groups: dishes are staggered to keep the table moving, and larger parties can use a set-menu format. The courtyard and Lair give functions a choice of mood, while live music and regular entertainment make dinner feel connected to the venue's wider schedule. That combination works especially well for gatherings that want food to remain central but prefer a lively bar atmosphere to a conventional restaurant room.
Address: 1091 Ferry Road, Ferrymead, Christchurch 8023, New Zealand
Moved or closed? Tell us: Moved·Temporarily closed·Permanently closed
Evil Genius Restaurant & Bar Menu
Small Plates
Our dishes are designed to be shared. They’ll arrive at your table staggered, fresh as they’re ready. For an extra kick, just ask for our house-made chilli oil. (V) Vegan (DF) Dairy Free (GF) Gluten Free. Please let our staff know if you have any allergies.
Edamame
Sea salt. (GF/V)
Steamed Dumplings
Pork and coriander (DF) or Shiitake mushroom (V). Apple wasabi, sweet soy, furikake, green onion, pickled ginger.
Seoul Fire Tofu
Crispy tofu, Seoul Fire sauce, chuka wakame, green onion, vegan aioli. (V)
Vegan Tom Kha
Coconut milk, house-made red curry, mushroom, lime, fragrant herbs, crispy rice noodle. (V)
Kids Kai
Free-range chicken thigh or cauliflower (V), salted skinny fries, orange slice, small juice. (GF/DF). Add ice cream $2
Medium Plates
Evil Fried Cauliflower
Free-range cauliflower, chilli caramel, green onion, beni shoga, vegan aioli. (V)
Evil Fried Chicken
Free-range chicken thigh, sticky pineapple glaze, green onion, beni shoga, gochujang mayo. (DF) (GF option available)
Ca Ri Ga
Free-range chicken thigh, potato, carrot, coconut curry broth, fresh herbs, steamed Japanese rice. (DF)
Rice Fried Nice
Soy-mirin, jasmine rice, broccoli, edamame, menma, furikake, Japanese mayo. (DF). Add jongga kimchi (GF) $2, Add fried egg $2, Add pork belly $5
Hawker Rolls
Pork Belly Roll
Crispy pork belly, rainbow slaw, cucumber pickle, green onion, citrus reduction, Japanese mayo. (DF)
K-Bok Roll
Evil fried chicken, rainbow slaw, pickled red onion, green onion, sticky pineapple sauce, gochujang mayo. (DF)
Sticky Seoul Roll
Seoul fried tofu, rainbow slaw, pickled red onion, green onion, vegan aioli. (V)
Sides
Crunchy Raw Salad
Broccoli, rainbow slaw, mung bean, edamame, mint, lime, goma dare, furikake. (GF/V)
Spicy Fries
Skinny fries, togaroshi salt, gochujang mayo or vegan aioli (GF/V). Extra sauce $2. Spice shy? (We got you)
Jongga Kimchi
(DF)
Evil Sweet Treats
Gelato
Made locally by The Gelato Lab. Ask us what flavours we have!
Lunch Menu – Small
Lunch Menu // 12 – 3PM. Our dishes are designed to be shared. They’ll arrive at your table staggered, fresh as they’re ready. For an extra kick, just ask for our house-made chilli oil. (V) Vegan (DF) Dairy Free (GF) Gluten Free. Please let our staff know if you have any allergies.
Edamame
Sea salt. (GF/V)
Steamed Dumplings
Pork and coriander (DF) or Shitake mushroom (V). Apple wasabi, sweet soy, furikake, green onion, pickled ginger.
Seoul Fire Tofu
Crispy tofu, Seoul Fire sauce, chuka wakame, green onion, vegan aioli. (V)
Spicy Fries
Skinny fries, togarashi salt, gochujang mayo or vegan aioli (GF/V). Extra sauce $2. Spice shy? (We got you)
Kids Kai
Free-range chicken thigh or cauliflower (V), salted skinny fries, orange slice, small juice. Add ice cream $2. (GF/DF)
Lunch Menu – Medium
Lunch Menu // 12 – 3PM. Our dishes are designed to be shared. They’ll arrive at your table staggered, fresh as they’re ready. For an extra kick, just ask for our house-made chilli oil. (V) Vegan (DF) Dairy Free (GF) Gluten Free. Please let our staff know if you have any allergies.
Evil Fried Chicken
Free-range chicken thigh, sticky pineapple glaze, green onion, beni shoga, gochujang mayo. (DF) (GF option available)
Evil Fried Cauliflower
Free-range cauliflower, chilli caramel, green onion, beni shoga, vegan aioli. (GF/V)
Ca Ri Ga
Free-range chicken thigh, potato, carrot, coconut curry broth, fresh herbs, steamed Japanese rice. (DF)
Lunch Menu – Donburi Bowls
All bowls come with steamed rice, beni shoga, edamame, pickled daikon, and rainbow slaw.
EFC
Sticky pineapple and Japanese mayo. (DF/GF)
Pork
Citrus reduction and Japanese mayo. (DF)
Tofu
Seoul fire sauce and vegan aioli. (V)
Cocktails
Definitely alcoholic.
Burning Voodoo
Vanilla Vodka, Coffee Liqueur, Burnt Marshmallow Syrup, Spooky Boogie Espresso.
Ginger Caprioska
Vodka, Fresh Ginger, Lime.
Malificent
Coconut Rum, Passionfruit, Honey, Lime. Topped with Ginger Beer.
Moriarty Sour
Bourbon, Disaronno, Lemon, Egg Whites, Bitters.
Mr Pink
Gin, Strawberry, Pomegranate, Lime. Topped with Tonic.
Pablo’s Diablo
Tequila Blanco, Grapefruit, Pomegranate, Lime, Chilli Tincture. Topped with Soda.
Smoke N’ Sip
Japanese Whisky, Umeshu Plum, Campari, Lemon, Lapsang and Black Sesame. Topped with Soda.
Mocktails
Redrum
Raspberry, Lemon, Mint. Topped with Lemonade.
Fever Dream
Pineapple, Lemongrass, Lime. Topped with Soda.
Spritzers
Aperol Spritz
Aperol, Orange, Prosecco. Topped with Soda.
Hugo Spritz
Elderflower, Mint, Prosecco. Topped with Soda.
Umeshu Spritz
Umeshu Plum, Lychee, Lemongrass, Lime. Topped with Soda.
Soju Spritz
Peach Soju, Peach Puree, Lime. Topped with Prosecco.
Caffeine
Definitely not alcoholic.
Short // Long Black
Flat White // Cappuccino // Americano
Mocha // Latte
Iced Vietnamese Coffee
Caffeine Free
Chai // Turmeric Latte
Hot Chocolate
Fluffy
Tea
Mikaku Organic Hand Blended, Loose Leaf Tea. English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Jasmine Green, Lemon & Ginger, Peppermint or Deluxe Berry.
Mikaku Organic Hand Blended, Loose Leaf Tea
English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Jasmine Green, Lemon & Ginger, Peppermint or Deluxe Berry.
Fruit Juice
Fruit Juice
Apple, Orange, Cranberry, Pineapple, Tomato.
Other Drinks
Lemon Lime Bitters
Ginger Beer
Lyttelninja Kombucha
From Happy Menu members
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+ Log your visitHow prices compare
Against typical prices in Christchurch
- Long black Typical in Christchurch: $5.00 $4.00
- Flat white Typical in Christchurch: $5.55 $5.00
- Chai latte Typical in Christchurch: $6.00 $6.00
- Hot chocolate Typical in Christchurch: $6.00 $5.00
- Latte Typical in Christchurch: $6.00 $6.00
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