Commi

About Commi

Commi has been feeding Christchurch South from Colombo Street in Beckenham since 2016, serving fresh, tasty South East Asian eats in a casual, funky dining room. The kitchen takes its inspiration from the famous street vendors of Thailand and Vietnam, then pushes the boat out further — to Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore, with plenty of China in the mix — so the menu reads like a small tour of the region.

House specialities include the Vietnamese Pancake Banh Xeo and the Kungpao Chicken, alongside plates like Spicy Thai Beef Salad, Chiang Mai Pork Belly, Mongolian Fish Roti and Shanghai Dumpling with Panang Curry Sauce. Curries, wok-fries, noodles and a solid vegetarian corner round things out, with dietary-friendly dishes clearly marked on the menu.

Dinner is served seven days from 5.00pm to 8.30pm. The room is fully licensed and also BYO wine, and it's a popular choice for families, work functions and big groups, with set sharing menus for larger bookings. Every dish is available for takeaway pickup or delivery, cooked fresh to order. Part of a growing South Island restaurant family, Commi calls itself a 'peoples palace of Asian flavours' — open daily for dinner and easy to linger in.

Commi Christchurch: Thai & Vietnamese Street Food Dining on Colombo Street

Set on Colombo Street in Beckenham, Christchurch, Commi has been serving fresh, punchy South East Asian food to the city's south since 2016. It's a dinner destination — the kitchen opens seven days a week from 5.00pm to 8.30pm — and it has built a loyal following on a simple idea the team calls 'food for the people': generous, full-flavoured plates that are easy to love and hard to stop ordering.

A menu that lets your taste buds travel

Commi takes its inspiration from the famous street vendors of Thailand and Vietnam, then pushes the boat out further — to Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore, with plenty of China in the mix. The result is a menu that hops happily across borders. You might start with Vietnamese Crispy Spring Rolls, warm roti and peanut sauce, or the Shanghai Dumpling with Panang Curry Sauce, before moving on to a house speciality like the Vietnamese Pancake Banh Xeo — a crisp pancake of pork and prawn with shredded lettuce, herbs and nuoc cham — or the Kungpao Chicken, spicy-sweet chicken thighs with Szechuan peppercorn, garlic, ginger, dried red chillies and peanuts.

Regulars keep coming back for the Chiang Mai Pork Belly, the Spicy Thai Beef Salad with roasted rice powder, mint and lemongrass, and the Mongolian Fish Roti. Curry lovers are well looked after, from Chicken Green Curry simmered with coconut milk and sweet basil to Lamb in Massaman Curry Sauce and the Vietnamese-style Ca Ri Ga with potato and carrot. Further down the menu there's Indonesian Beef Rendang, Shaking Beef Hot Plate, Sizzling Fish Steak, Pad Thai and Nasi Goreng, plus a solid vegetarian corner with the Buddha Feast stir fry and Sunbathe Tofu in lemongrass sauce.

Casual, funky and made for lingering

The dining room is modern and unpretentious, a deliberate celebration of street-culture vibes. The house philosophy is 'we're in a hurry, but you don't have to be' — so settle in, soak up a little of the South East, and squeeze in that extra dish if you like.

Practical things are handled nicely too. Commi is fully licensed, and it's also BYO wine ($10 corkage per bottle, wine only, one bottle per person — beer, spirits and soft drinks come from the bar). The menu carries plenty of naturally gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan-friendly dishes, clearly marked GF, V and VO, and the kitchen will accommodate allergies and celiac needs if you flag them on arrival. Spice is flexible as well: ask your server for mild, medium or authentic Thai hot.

Built for groups

Groups are a big part of what Commi does. Families, work functions and celebrations are welcome for informal à la carte dining, or from a pair of set sharing menus — Hanoi Street Food and Beijing Royalty — served banquet-style for the table. Bookings are recommended in advance, especially on weekends and for groups of 12 or more; walk-ins are welcome whenever there's a table free.

Commi at home

Every dish on the menu is available for takeaway, ordered online for pickup or delivery to your door (a $10 delivery fee applies). Because everything is cooked fresh to order, the kitchen asks for at least 30 minutes from order to counter or doorstep.

Commi is part of a growing family of restaurants that includes Mama San, Le Xom, Spirit House and Buddha Stix around the South Island, but the Colombo Street room is Christchurch's own — a 'peoples palace of Asian flavours' that's open every evening for dinner, easygoing, and full of dishes that let your taste buds travel.

Signature items

• Vietnamese Pancake Banh Xeo
• Kungpao Chicken
• Chiang Mai Pork Belly
• Spicy Thai Beef Salad
• Mongolian Fish Roti
• Shanghai Dumpling with Panang Curry Sauce

Menu

Mains

• 'Bun' Ha Noi — Vermicelli noodles, lettuce, mint, coriander, peanuts, crispy spring roll and grilled pork with house-made sauce
• Spicy Thai Beef Salad — Grilled beef with roasted rice powder, coriander, mint, shallot, lemongrass and hot and sour dressing
• Chicken Green Curry — Chicken simmered with coconut milk, bamboo shoots, bell pepper, green peas and sweet basil
• Vietnamese Pancake Banh Xeo — Crispy pancake with pork and prawn, herbs, salad and nuoc cham dressing
• Kungpao Chicken — Spicy-sweet chicken thighs with Szechuan peppercorn, garlic, ginger, chillies and peanuts
• Lamb in Massaman Curry Sauce — Lamb in a rich massaman curry sauce
• Lemongrass Chicken — Chicken stir-fried with fresh chilli, garlic, lemongrass, onion and turmeric
• Vietnamese Chicken Curry Ca Ri Ga — Tender chicken in a rich curry with potato and carrot
• Cashew Nut and Tempura Chicken — Crispy chicken slices with sweet chilli jam, carrot and red capsicum
• Shaking Beef Hot Plate — Angus beef on a hot plate with cracked pepper
• Honey Crispy Chicken — Crisp battered chicken in tangy honey sauce, with prawn crackers and fresh salad
• Sizzling Fish Steak — Battered fish fillets with tomato, red onion, mushroom, garlic, chilli and black pepper sauce
• Cambodian Peppercorn Prawns — Prawns with lemongrass, basil, garlic, green pepper, baby corn and fresh vegetables
• Indonesian Beef Rendang — Classic Indonesian beef rendang
• Vietnamese Salad — Mint, coriander, lime juice and fish sauce tossed with salad, red onion and tomato
• Fresh Basil and Herb — Wok-fried pork belly with fresh basil, hot chilli and fresh vegetables

Vegetarian

• Buddha Feast — Vegetarian stir fry with tofu and vegetables
• Sunbathe Tofu — Deep-fried tofu in lemongrass sauce

Noodles & Rice

• Pad Thai — Rice noodles with egg, bean sprouts, spring onion, crushed peanuts and a lemon wedge
• Singapore Satay Stir Fry — Chicken, beef or pork with roasted peanut sauce and seasonal vegetables
• Cantonese Wok Fried Noodles With Basil — Flat rice noodles stir-fried with egg, seasonal vegetables and fresh basil
• Nasi Goreng — Indonesian fried jasmine rice with seasonal vegetables

Group Sharing Menus

• Hanoi Street Food — Set sharing menu served banquet-style for the table, minimum five people
• Beijing Royalty — Set sharing menu served banquet-style for the table, minimum five people

Starters & Small Plates

• Summer Roll — Rice paper rolls with pork, carrot, cucumber, mint, lettuce and vermicelli noodles, Commi dipping sauce
• Satay Chicken Skewers — Chicken marinated in Thai spices, grilled and served with house peanut sauce
• Vietnamese Crispy Prawn — Crispy prawns served with dipping sauce
• Chicken Nibbles — Nibbles cured in an Asian spicy marinade, served with dipping sauce
• Mongolian Fish Roti — Mongolian fish roti with red onion and coriander
• Vietnamese Crispy Spring Rolls — Crispy spring rolls served with dipping sauce
• Shanghai Dumpling with Panang Curry Sauce — Shanghai dumplings in panang curry sauce with kaffir lime
• Chiang Mai Pork Belly — Pork belly served with a Thai dipping sauce
• Popcorn Chicken — Diced chicken with five spice and wasabi mayo
• Combination — Pork belly, dumplings, spring rolls and popcorn chicken with Asian dipping sauce
• Roti and Peanut Sauce — Warm toasted roti with the signature peanut sauce

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to book a table, or do you accept walk-ins?

Booking ahead is highly recommended, especially on weekends, but walk-ins are always welcome and will be accommodated in the casual dining space if a table is available.

Can you accommodate large groups or functions?

Yes — Commi hosts large groups, family gatherings and celebrations. For groups of 12 or more, get in touch via the contact page or call 03 366 8844 to discuss set menu options.

What is your BYO policy?

Commi is fully licensed with a good drinks selection, and BYO wine is welcome at $10 corkage per bottle. BYO applies to wine only, limited to one bottle per person — beer, spirits and non-alcoholic drinks must be purchased from the bar.

Do you offer gluten-free, vegan, or vegetarian options?

Yes. The South East Asian menu features a wide variety of naturally gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan-friendly dishes, clearly marked GF, V and VO. Let the team know about allergies, severe dietary requirements or celiac disease on arrival so the kitchen can accommodate you.

How spicy is the food? Can dishes be modified?

Dishes are inspired by vibrant Thai and Vietnamese street food, so some carry a natural kick — but many can be adjusted. Just let your server know if you prefer mild, medium or authentic Thai spicy.

Where are you located and is there parking?

Commi is at 145D Colombo Street in Beckenham/Sydenham, Christchurch South, with convenient street parking along Colombo Street and the surrounding side streets.

Do you offer takeaway or delivery?

Yes — every dish is available for takeaway. Order online through the website for quick pickup, or order for delivery. Allow at least 30 minutes as everything is cooked fresh to order.

Tips

• {"body":"Reservations are recommended, especially Friday and Saturday evenings — though walk-ins are welcome if a table is free.","title":"Book ahead on weekends"}
• {"body":"BYO wine is welcome at $10 corkage per bottle — wine only, one bottle per person; other drinks come from the licensed bar.","title":"Bring a bottle"}
• {"body":"Everything is cooked fresh to order, so allow at least 30 minutes. Order online for pickup or delivery (a $10 delivery fee applies).","title":"Order takeaway early"}
• {"body":"Set sharing menus like Hanoi Street Food and Beijing Royalty suit tables of five or more; call 03 366 8844 to book groups of 12+.","title":"Feed the whole crew"}
• {"body":"Many dishes can be made mild, medium or authentic Thai spicy — just tell your server how you like it.","title":"Choose your heat"}

Good to know

• {"family":"Welcomes families and large groups; set menus available, book groups of 12+ ahead.","dietary":"Plenty of GF, V and VO dishes; tell the team about allergies or celiac needs on arrival.","parking":"Street parking along Colombo Street and surrounding side streets."}