5 Traditional Foods
You Have To Try in Christchurch

Hokey pokey is a New Zealander ice cream variety consisting of vanilla-flavored ice cream with small lumps of honeycomb toffee dispersed throughout it. Although it is produced in New Zealand, this ice cream variety is regularly exported to Japan, where it has achieved a quite popular status over the years. The name hokey pokey refers to the New Zealand term denoting honeycomb toffee.Expand

Delicate as the ballerina it was named after, Pavlova is the quintessential summer dessert. Whipped cream is typically dolloped on top of a snowy meringue, followed by a pop of color in the form of fruit, preferably the tart varieties which contrast the sweetness of the meringue. Research suggests Pavlova is a descendant of the German torte and was invented in the 1920s during Anna Pavlova's tour of Australia and New Zealand, although the exact inventor is still debated. The first recipe for Pavlova appeared in print in 1926, although it was not the dessert we know today, but was instead a multi-colored gelatine dish. The base of the cake is prepared almost identically as any meringue, by beating egg whites stiffly, then incorporating sugar, vinegar, and cornstarch. Traditional toppings include whipped cream or lemon curd, and the dessert is often prepared during Christmastime.Expand

Lolly cake is a favorite dessert of many New Zealanders, consisting of crushed malt biscuits, colorful marshmallows, butter, and condensed milk. The cake is often topped with grated coconut and is served sliced. Malt biscuits are used because their unique flavor cuts the sweetness of the marshmallows. Lolly cake is a staple at various festive events such as birthdays and similar celebrations.Expand

Kiwiburger is a hamburger consisting of a toasted bun that is sandwiched with a four-ounce (113 g) beef patty, fried egg, beetroot, grilled onions, and additional ingredients such as tomato, lettuce, cheese, mustard, and ketchup. The burger was an invention of Bryan Old who came up with it as a nostalgic take on the typical New Zealand hamburger of yesteryear, prior to the introduction of McDonald's to the New Zealand market in 1976. Nowadays, Kiwiburger can be found in burger joints across the country.Expand

Mince and cheese pie is a traditional meal. The pie is prepared with a shortcrust pastry shell filled with a combination of cheese cubes and mince. The mince is typically made with onions, garlic, carrots, ground beef, mushrooms, tomato paste, and beef stock, and it is seasoned with oregano and freshly ground salt and pepper. Once the filling is prepared, the pie is sealed with puff pastry on top and baked until golden-brown in color. It is recommended to serve it with steamed peas on the side.Expand