King of Snake Reviews: Is It Worth the Hype? (2025)

Few Christchurch restaurants divide opinion like King of Snake, where bold Euro-Asian flavours meet small portions. After combing through over 800 reviews across TripAdvisor, Reddit and Yelp, we’ve pieced together what you’re really paying for.

Average rating (TripAdvisor): 4.5 / 5 (800+ reviews) ·
Price range per person: NZD 50–70 ·
Cuisine style: Euro-Asian fusion ·
Dietary options: Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free

Six quick facts, one takeaway: King of Snake positions itself firmly in the premium dining bracket but offers discounts via First Table.

Is King of Snake worth the price?

Price vs. portion size analysis

• The official menu lists whole-table experiences at NZD 70, 90, and 100 per person (King of Snake menu page)
• A la carte dishes range from NZD 28 (Sichuan silken fried tofu) to NZD 110 (Southern Stations wagyu ribeye) (King of Snake menu page)
• User reviews across platforms consistently describe portions as small for the price (Reddit community r/chch)

Diners who prioritise flavour intensity over plate volume tend to feel they got their money’s worth. Those expecting generous servings often walk away disappointed. The pattern: King of Snake follows a tasting-menu philosophy even for its a la carte dishes, which works well for some and frustrates others.

Bottom line: King of Snake is a flavour-first kitchen that charges premium prices for small, carefully constructed plates. Flavour seekers: book Trust the Chef. Volume seekers: order multiple a la carte dishes or head elsewhere.

What reviewers who loved it say

• A TripAdvisor reviewer praised the “dumplings in master stock” and “pork belly” as a progression of dishes (TripAdvisor New Zealand)
• Another noted that meal prices “reflect the quality and selection available” (TripAdvisor New Zealand)
• Yelp reviewers often highlight “delicious Asian fusion food” and “beautiful decor” (Yelp (user review platform))

What reviewers who were disappointed say

• A Reddit user on r/chch described being “disappointed with portion size despite excellent taste” (Reddit community r/chch)
• Several TripAdvisor reviews mention that the restaurant is “hard to find” (located upstairs) and that a reservation is essential (TripAdvisor New Zealand)

What do Reddit and TripAdvisor users say about King of Snake?

Reddit community sentiment r/chch

• Small portions are the most frequent complaint in r/chch threads (Reddit community r/chch)
• Many users recommend the Trust the Chef menu for a better overall experience (Reddit community r/chch)
• Service and ambiance are regularly praised (Reddit community r/chch)

TripAdvisor aggregated rating trends

• TripAdvisor rating holds at 4.5 / 5 based on 800+ reviews (TripAdvisor New Zealand)
• High ratings consistently cite flavour, decor, and service; low ratings cite portion size and value (TripAdvisor New Zealand)

Yelp vs. Facebook reviews snapshot

• Yelp reviewers echo the same split: “amazing flavours, tiny portions” (Yelp user review platform)
• Facebook reviews tend to skew positive with 4.6 / 5 average, often from repeat diners (Facebook (social platform))

The implication: No platform shows a consensus. King of Snake is a love-it-or-leave-it restaurant where the same quality — intense flavours and small plates — produces both ecstatic and frustrated reviews.

What is on the King of Snake menu?

Trust the Chef experience

• Fixed-price multi-course menus at NZD 70, 90, or 100 per person (King of Snake menu page)
• A TripAdvisor review mentions a “Trust the King” menu at NZD 85 (TripAdvisor US)
• Dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice (King of Snake official website)

A la carte highlights

• Dumplings in master stock and pork belly are signature dishes (King of Snake menu page)
• Other popular items: sticky beef wontons (NZD 16 for 3 or 20 for 4), grilled Chatham Island blue cod (NZD 49), and Kung Pao chicken (NZD 36) (King of Snake menu page)
• Uber Eats prices are slightly lower: e.g., sticky beef wontons at NZD 13.50 (Uber Eats NZ (food delivery platform))

Vegetarian and vegan options

• Official menu includes Sichuan silken fried tofu (NZD 28) and roasted coconut spinach leaf (NZD 7 on Uber Eats) (King of Snake menu page) (Uber Eats NZ)
• Gluten-free dishes are available but not marked on the menu; best to ask staff (King of Snake official website)

Two dining paths, one pattern: Trust the Chef gives you a curated tasting journey; a la carte lets you pick and choose — but the per-dish cost adds up quickly. Here’s a side-by-side comparison.

For Christchurch diners, the choice is clear: if you value intense, carefully crafted flavours and don’t mind small plates, King of Snake delivers an experience few local restaurants match. But if you’re hungry and watching your wallet, either book a Trust the Chef menu through First Table for better value per course, or stick to a la carte where you control the spend — and order a side dish or two.