Eightgrains is a family-run Chinese dumpling, bao and noodle kitchen based at Little High Eatery in Christchurch, steaming daily since 2017. It began as a family business built on Mum's recipes, Mia and Andy's planning, and Dad's energy, and has since grown into part of the Double Dribble Hospitality Group.
Eightgrains focuses on authentic, handmade Chinese food, with dumplings, bao buns and noodles drawing influence from Taiwan, Sichuan and Shanghai. Everything is made with the same care Mum puts into her cooking - a mix of temperature, patience and persistence.
Beyond dine-in and takeaway, Eightgrains offers delivery, a retail shop selling items like frozen dumplings and merchandise, catering for everything from small office gatherings to large parties, fundraising packs for schools and groups, and gifting options.
Eightgrains has been steaming dumplings daily in Christchurch since 2017, starting life as a genuine family business. The story behind it is a simple one: a mix of Mum's recipes, Mia and Andy's planning, and Dad's endless positive energy. Since then, the business has grown into part of the Double Dribble Hospitality Group, extending its family and its venues, while keeping its roots in authentic Chinese cooking.
At the heart of Eightgrains is Mum's approach to food - what the team describes as a science of love, temperature, patience and persistence. The menu draws on dumplings, bao buns and noodles with influences from Taiwan, Sichuan and Shanghai, all made by hand. Reviewers have singled out the steamed prawn, mushroom and pork dumplings for their good skin texture and juicy filling, and the pan-fried sweet and sour chicken for being fabulously presented, with chicken that almost melts in the mouth alongside a sweet and sour sauce that ties the dish together. The dumplings platter, served with dipping sauces, has also drawn praise - customers have noted that the second sauce works well for gluten-free eaters.
Eightgrains is set up to serve Christchurch foodies in more ways than one. Takeaway is available on the full menu for anyone wanting to grab some mates and eat outside, while delivery and online ordering round out the options for those who can't make it in. The retail shop stocks items including handmade Xiao Long Bao, frozen dumpling packs, and merchandise like tote bags, alongside catering favourites such as fried chicken and vegetarian bao buns.
Eightgrains caters to Christchurch's hungry crowds well beyond the restaurant floor. Their catering service covers everything from small office gatherings to large parties, with nibbles, cocktails and desserts on offer - all bookable through Double Dribble's catering page. For schools and community groups, Eightgrains also offers a dedicated fundraising programme: frozen dumpling packs that supporters can sell, with a donation thrown in to help groups reach their fundraising goals. A downloadable fundraising form is available for organisers to fill out and send through. On top of that, there's a gifting option for anyone looking to share Eightgrains with someone else.
Eightgrains is located at Little High Eatery, 255 St Asaph Street, Christchurch. The team can be reached by email for catering, fundraising and general enquiries, and the business keeps an active presence on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok for anyone wanting to see what's steaming next.