SUMO'S Restaurant and Cafe

About SUMO'S Restaurant and Cafe

SUMO'S Restaurant and Cafe brings a broad selection of authentic Japanese comfort food to Clarence Street in Riccarton, Christchurch. Specialising in hearty bowls of freshly prepared ramen and comforting donburi rice bowls, the kitchen blends traditional Japanese staples with creative modern twists, including Japanese-style pasta dishes and sizzling hotplates.

From rich, slow-simmered pork bone tonkotsu broths and aromatic black garlic ramen to grilled unagi and crispy chicken karaage, the menu covers a versatile spectrum for lunch and dinner. Diners can round out their meals with vibrant salads, decadent loaded soft-serve sundaes, specialty milkshakes, and full espresso bar offerings.

SUMO'S caters to the busy Christchurch dining scene with easy online ordering, quick pickup, and seven-day continuous service from midday into the late evening. Whether stopping by for a comforting noodle soup, a quick donburi lunch, or sweet matcha treats, it provides a warm and approachable neighborhood cafe experience.

SUMO'S Restaurant and Cafe: Hearty Japanese Comforts and Cafe Treats in Riccarton

Conveniently positioned along Clarence Street in Christchurch's bustling suburb of Riccarton, SUMO'S Restaurant and Cafe offers a warm and welcoming destination for hearty Japanese cooking. Embracing an inviting cafe vibe alongside the rich, soul-satisfying culinary traditions of Japan, the venue serves an extensive menu designed to satisfy cravings for steaming noodle soups, savoury rice bowls, and delightful sweets.

From casual lunchtime drop-ins to evening dinners with friends and family, SUMO'S blends convenience and flavour. The restaurant operates continuously throughout the week, making it an easy choice whether diners are popping in for a quick pickup meal on the commute home or enjoying a full feast.

Deep, Slow-Simmered Broths and Signature Noodles

The heartbeat of the kitchen at SUMO'S is its dedicated ramen selection. Long-simmered broths form the backbone of the noodle offerings, notably the milky, collagen-rich Tonkotsu Ramen garnished with tender pork chashu, seasoned bamboo menma, and a marinated ramen egg. Noodle enthusiasts who prefer a bolder, punchier depth can turn to the signature Black Garlic Ramen, an aromatic bowl loaded with fried ground pork, spring onions, and roasted black garlic oil.

For those who like a fiery touch to their meals, the Spicy Miso Ramen delivers heat wrapped in complex fermented umami. Diners following plant-forward diets do not miss out either: SUMO'S provides a dedicated Spicy Miso Vegetarian Ramen, featuring a deep vegetarian stock base laden with inari tofu, edamame, and crisp vegetables.

Donburi, Sizzling Hotplates, and Japanese Pastas

Beyond ramen, the cafe showcases an impressive variety of donburi rice bowls. Classics like golden fried Karaage Don, thinly sliced simmered Gyu Don beef, and tender Teriyaki Chicken Don come complete with a comforting side of traditional miso soup. Seafood lovers can choose fresh salmon bowls, crisp tempura prawns, or glazed Una Don featuring rich grilled freshwater eel smothered in a sweet soy reduction.

Adding an eclectic cafe touch, SUMO'S introduces hotplate sets and Japanese-Italian pasta creations. Sizzling plates such as the Cheezy Sumo demi-glace dish, burger steaks, and ribeye cuts bring dramatic tabletop appeal. Meanwhile, pasta choices featuring rich mentaiko (pollock roe) sauce and soft onsen eggs offer diners a taste of modern Japanese yoshoku-style dining.

Shakes, Specialty Drinks, and Indulgent Desserts

True to its dual identity as both restaurant and cafe, the beverage and dessert roster is just as thoughtful as the savoury kitchen. Visitors can accompany their meal with authentic Japanese Ramune sodas, Calpis, or matcha and chai specialty lattes. For hot summer afternoons or sweet tooth cravings, specialty shakes like Matcha Madness, Caramel Cookies Crunch, and Tiramisu Shake provide indulgent blended treats.

Desserts provide an equally memorable finish. House sundaes pair creamy soft serve with traditional toppings like matcha jelly, mochi, and sweet red bean paste, alongside New Zealand classics featuring honeycomb toffee and crunchy hokey pokey. Whatever the appetite, SUMO'S stands as a dependable, flavour-packed corner of Riccarton.

Signature items

• Black Garlic Ramen
• Tonkotsu Ramen
• Spicy Miso Ramen
• Karaage Don
• Chicken Mentaiko Pasta
• Catch the Matcha

Menu

Tea

• Green Tea — Traditional Japanese style hot green tea.
• Chamomile — Soothing herbal chamomile tea infusion.
• English Breakfast — Classic brisk black tea blend.
• Earl Grey — Fragrant black tea scented with bergamot.
• Peppermint Tea — Refreshing aromatic peppermint herbal tea.
• Honey Lemon Ginger — Warming blend of honey, fresh lemon, and ginger.

Pasta

• Chicken Mentaiko Pasta — Al dente pasta served with tender chicken breast, creamy mentaiko sauce, onsen tamago, and parsley.
• Prawn Mentaiko Pasta — Al dente pasta served with succulent prawns, creamy mentaiko sauce, onsen tamago, and parsley.

Ramen

• Black Garlic Ramen — Fresh ramen submerged in black garlic broth, topped with chashu, fried ground pork, spring onion, menma, beansprouts, nori, ramen egg, and finished with sesame seeds.
• Tonkotsu Ramen — Milky pork bones broth served with fresh made ramen and topped with chashu, spring onion, menma, beansprouts, nori, pink ginger, and ramen egg.
• Spicy Miso Ramen — Signature rich spicy miso broth served with fresh made ramen and topped with chashu, spring onion, menma, beansprouts, corn, nori, and ramen egg.
• Spicy Miso Vegetarian Ramen — Spicy rich vegetarian stock served with fresh vegetarian ramen topped with inari age, spring onion, menma, beansprouts, nori, corn, edamame beans, and ramen egg.
• Tomato Cheese Ramen — Tomato flavored broth served with fresh made ramen and topped with thinly pork slices, spring onion, spinach, cheese powder, nori, and ramen egg.
• Tempura Udon — Fish and seaweed stock broth served with udon and topped with tempura prawns and vegetables, spring onion, tenkasu, and nori.

Salad

• Teriyaki Chicken Salad — Teriyaki chicken on mixed greens with bean sprouts, edamame, spring onions, mayonnaise, and teriyaki sauce, with optional spicy miso sauce or fried chicken.
• Smoked Salmon Salad — Smoked salmon, crisp green salad, sliced cherry tomatoes, creamy avocado, roasted sesame seeds, and garlic sesame dressing.
• Avocado Green Salad — Seasonal greens, crisp cucumber, capsicum, edamame, cherry tomatoes, deep-fried vegetable patty, roasted sesame seeds, and garlic sesame dressing.

Donburi

• Karaage Don — Tender karaage chicken served on a bed of steamed rice, sided with green garnish and mayonnaise; comes with miso soup.
• Teriyaki Chicken Don — Grilled chicken glazed in teriyaki sauce, served on a bed of steamed rice and sided with green garnish; comes with miso soup.
• Kakiage Curry — Deep fried vegetable tempura served on a bed of steamed rice and vegetarian Japanese curry with pickled radish; comes with miso soup.
• Croquette Curry — Deep fried golden croquette served on bed of steamed rice and vegetarian Japanese curry with pickled radish; comes with miso soup.
• Agedashi Tofu Curry — Deep fried agedashi tofu served on bed of steamed rice and vegetarian Japanese curry with pickled radish; comes with miso soup.
• Croqutte Don — Deep fried croquette drizzled with tonkatsu sauce, served on a bed of steamed rice and sided with green garnish; comes with miso soup.
• Kakiage Don — Deep fried vegetable tempura with mayonnaise drizzle, served on a bed of steamed rice and sided with green garnish; comes with miso soup.
• Pork Shogayaki Don — Thinly sliced pork cooked with sweet vinegar sauce, served on bed of steamed rice, sided with green and garnished with sesame seeds; comes with miso soup.
• Pork Kimchi Don — Thin pork slices cooked with spicy miso sauce, served on bed of steamed rice and sided with kimchi; comes with miso soup.
• Chashu Don — Flavorful pork chashu slices, served on bed of steamed rice and topped with onsen tamago and spring onion; comes with miso soup.
• Fresh Salmon Don — Fresh salmon slices served on bed of steamed rice and sided with green garnish, wasabi, and pickled ginger; comes with miso soup.
• Gyu Don — Thin slices of tender beef simmered with onion in gyu sauce, served on bed of steamed rice and sided with ginger; comes with miso soup.
• Una Don — Grilled eel with thick sweet soy sauce served on bed of steamed rice and sided with green garnish; comes with miso soup.
• Tempura Prawn Don — Deep fried golden prawn tempura served on bed of steamed rice and sided with green garnish and mayonnaise; comes with miso soup.
• Teriyaki Scallop Don — Grilled scallops glazed in teriyaki, served on bed of steamed rice and sided with green garnish; comes with miso soup.

Desserts

• Caramel Brownie — Warm brownie served with a vanilla scoop, hokey pokey, honeycomb toffee, and caramel drizzle.
• Fudgy Brownie — Brownie served with marshmallows, vanilla scoop, fudgy brownie whipped cream, and chocolate drizzle.
• Catch the Matcha — Soft serve ice cream with matcha jelly, mochi, red bean paste, and matcha powder.
• Hokey Pokey — Soft serve with honeycomb toffee, caramel popcorn, caramel drizzle, and a crispy cone.
• Naughty Fruits — Soft serve topped with assorted fruits, granola, and berry drizzle.

Hotplate

• Cheezy Sumo — Sliced meats smothered in demi-glace sauce served with rice topped with cheese, corn, and spring onion; comes with miso soup.
• Burger Steak — Juicy burger steaks sided with chips, corn, and seasonal greens served on a Japanese hot plate with choice of sauce; comes with rice and miso soup.
• Ribeye Steak — Tender ribeye steaks sided with chips, corn, and seasonal greens served on a Japanese hot plate with choice of sauce; comes with rice and miso soup.
• Chicken Cutlet — Breaded chicken cutlet sided with chips, corn, and seasonal greens served with barbecue sauce and mayonnaise; comes with rice and miso soup.
• Battered Fish — Golden brown battered fish fillets sided with chips, corn, lemon, and seasonal greens served with tangy tartar sauce; comes with rice and miso soup.

Half Sets

• Curry Don Half Set — Add a mini bowl of curry donburi to your ramen.
• Chashu Don Half Set — Add a mini bowl of pork chashu donburi to your ramen.
• Gyu Don Half Set — Add a mini bowl of simmered beef donburi to your ramen.
• Salmon Don Half Set — Add a mini bowl of salmon donburi to your ramen.

Smoothies

• Tropical Paradise — Fruit smoothie blended with pineapple, mango, and coconut.
• Very Berry — Fruity smoothie blend of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries.
• Mango Tango — Refreshing tropical smoothie crafted with mangoes and tropical fruits.

Milkshakes

• Milkshakesame Vanilla — Classic creamy vanilla milkshake.
• Milkshakesame Chocolate — Rich blended chocolate milkshake.
• Milkshakesame Strawberry — Sweet strawberry milkshake.
• Milkshakesame Banana — Smooth blended banana milkshake.
• Milkshakesame Caramel — Sweet caramel blended milkshake.

Iced Drinks

• Iced Americano — Chilled espresso poured over ice and cold water.
• Iced Latte — Espresso poured over chilled milk and ice.
• Iced Mocha — Chilled espresso with chocolate sauce, milk, and ice.
• Iced Chai Latte — Chilled spiced tea blend over milk and ice.
• Iced Green Tea — Refreshing cold-brewed Japanese green tea over ice.
• Iced Honey Lemon Ginger — Zesty honey, lemon, and ginger served cold over ice.

Bottled Drinks

• Soft Drink (600ml Bottle) — Assorted chilled 600ml soft drink bottle.
• Orange Juice — Chilled bottled orange fruit juice.
• Apple Juice — Chilled bottled apple juice.
• Cranberry Juice — Tart and refreshing chilled bottled cranberry juice.
• Calpis Grape — Japanese uncarbonated grape beverage.
• Ramu Soda Bottle Melon — Japanese ramune melon soda bottle.
• Ramu Soda Bottle Grape — Japanese ramune grape soda bottle.
• Ramune Original — Traditional Japanese glass marble soda in original citrus flavor.
• Ramune Lychee — Traditional Japanese glass marble soda in sweet lychee flavor.

Tamagotoji Don

• Unatama Don — Meats with onion cooked in bonito sauce and sealed with beaten egg served over steamed rice.

Specialty Shakes

• Matcha Madness — Vanilla ice cream blended with matcha, topped with whipped cream and matcha powder.
• Caramel Cookies Crunch — Caramel ice cream blended with crunchy cookie chunks and caramel sauce.
• Peanut Butter Banana — Peanut butter, fresh banana, and vanilla ice cream, topped with chopped peanuts.
• Hazelnut Coffee Heaven — Vanilla ice cream blended with espresso, Nutella, and crunchy hazelnuts.
• Almond Joy — Vanilla ice cream, coconut milk, almond extract, and chocolate chips, garnished with shredded coconut and almonds.
• Tiramisu Shake — Vanilla ice cream blended with espresso, creamy mascarpone, and cocoa powder.

Coffee & Chocolate

• Espresso — Freshly extracted single shot espresso.
• Americano — Classic espresso poured over hot water.
• Long Black — Double shot espresso topped over hot water.
• Flat White — Steamed whole milk poured over espresso.
• Cappuccino — Espresso topped with foamed milk and dusted chocolate.
• Latte — Smooth espresso with steamed milk and light foam.
• Macchiato — Espresso topped with a small dollop of steamed foam.
• Chai Latte — Spiced black tea blend steamed with milk.
• Matcha Latte — Finely ground Japanese green tea steamed with milk.
• Mocha — Espresso blended with rich chocolate and steamed milk.
• Hot Chocolate — Rich, comforting hot melted chocolate with steamed milk.
• White Chocolate — Creamy hot white chocolate steamed beverage.

Frequently asked questions

Where is SUMO'S Restaurant and Cafe located?

SUMO'S is located at 2/182 Clarence Street in Riccarton, Christchurch 8011.

What are the opening hours at SUMO'S?

The restaurant is open every day from Monday to Sunday between 11:30 AM and 10:00 PM.

Does SUMO'S offer takeaway and online ordering?

Yes, customers can place pre-orders and order takeaway meals directly online for pickup.

Are there vegetarian options available?

Yes, the menu includes vegetarian choices such as the Spicy Miso Vegetarian Ramen, Agedashi Tofu Curry, Croquette Curry, and vegetable donburi bowls.

What payment methods are accepted online?

Secure online payments can be made using Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal.

Does SUMO'S serve drinks and cafe desserts?

Yes, they serve a full range of espresso coffee, teas, smoothies, specialty milkshakes, Ramune sodas, and ice cream sundaes.

Tips

• {"body":"If you cannot decide between noodles and rice, order your favorite ramen and pair it with a half-set mini donburi like chashu or gyu don.","title":"Try a Half Set for the Best of Both"}
• {"body":"Use the online ordering system to schedule your pickup time ahead of peak lunch and dinner rushes.","title":"Order Takeaway Online in Advance"}
• {"body":"Round off your meal with the Catch the Matcha soft serve, loaded with mochi, matcha jelly, and red bean paste.","title":"Save Room for Matcha Sweets"}

Good to know

• {"dietary":"Offers vegetarian options such as vegetarian ramen, tofu and croquette curries, and salads.","payments":"Accepts Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal for online takeaway orders."}