Hawker House

About Hawker House

Hawker House is inspired by the flavours and vibrancy of South East Asian street food and hawker markets, described by its owners as an expression of love in food form for a region and people they've come to greatly admire. Owned by Matt and Tania Bouterey, the restaurant's food focus is Asian, using vegetables hand-picked by Matt from the farm, quality cuts of meat, and big, vibrant flavours.

Dishes are designed to be shared, sent out from the kitchen as they're ready rather than in set courses, and matched with regional wines, craft beer, and cocktails inspired by Old Shanghai and Singapore. Chef Riki Day has built the menu around classic dishes given his own signature twist, using as many home-grown ingredients as possible.

There are three ways to dine at Hawker House: the raised Chef's Dining area and the Chef's Dining Room can both be booked for sittings at 6pm and 8pm (groups over 8 should enquire directly), while the rest of the space runs on real hawker-style rules — casual, no reservations required.

Hawker House: South East Asian Street Food and Sharing Plates in Nelson

Hawker House brings the flavour and energy of South East Asian street food and hawker markets to Trafalgar Street in Nelson. Owned by Matt and Tania Bouterey — known locally for creating award-winning restaurants — the venue is described as an expression of love in food form for a region and culture the owners deeply admire.

Food built around sharing

At Hawker House, the food focus is unmistakably Asian, drawing on vegetables hand-picked by Matt from the farm, quality cuts of meat, and bold, vibrant flavours. Dishes are designed to be shared and sent out from the kitchen as soon as they're ready, rather than arriving in a fixed course order — part of what gives the restaurant its relaxed, communal energy. Chef Riki Day leads the kitchen, building a menu influenced by classic dishes but given his own signature twist, and leaning on as many home-grown ingredients as he can source.

From nigiri to brisket

The menu ranges widely across South East Asian influences. Seafood options include a Naughty Nigiri with agedashi glaze, a Singapore Sashimi with mango and lemongrass sauce, and Karaage Squid served tentacles and all with a spiced tartar sauce. On the meat side, there's a Braised Beef Brisket in red curry with candied walnuts, Passionfruit Hoisin Pork Ribs, and a Crispy Indian Chicken 65 with turmeric mayo. Vegetables get their own spotlight too, with a Hawker Vege dish freshly picked from the farm, and a Wok Tossed Bok Choy finished with black bean shiitake XO sauce. To finish, a Salted Dark Chocolate Miso Delice and a Lemongrass Panna Cotta round out the dessert list.

Drinks to match the food

Hawker House pairs its menu with an extensive drinks list, including regional Nelson and Central Otago wines, craft beer on tap from breweries like Behemoth, Urbanaut and Parrotdog, sparkling wine and Champagne, and cocktails inspired by Old Shanghai and Singapore made with fresh, seasonal fruit. A sparkling sake is suggested as a way to kick off the evening.

Three ways to dine

Hawker House offers three distinct dining experiences. The raised Chef's Dining area and the separate Chef's Dining Room can both be booked, with sittings at 6pm and 8pm (larger groups over 8 are asked to enquire directly). The rest of the restaurant runs on genuine hawker-style rules — no reservations, just casual walk-in dining, cutlery optional if you'd rather use your fingers.

Visiting Hawker House

Hawker House is open Monday to Wednesday from 4pm until late, and Thursday to Saturday from 11am until close. It's closed on Sundays. The restaurant is located at 296 Trafalgar Street, Nelson, and can be reached by phone or email for reservations and enquiries. Guests should also note a 2% surcharge applies on credit card and Paywave payments.

Signature items

• Naughty Nigiri
• Karaage Squid
• Braised Beef Brisket
• Passionfruit Hoisin Pork Ribs
• Hawker Vege
• Salted Dark Chocolate Miso Delice

Menu

Meat

• Crispy Indian Chicken 65 — Turmeric mayo and pickled chilli.
• Indonesian Steak Tartare — Sambal matah and potato crisps.
• Braised Beef Brisket — Red curry, braised cabbage and candied walnuts.
• Passionfruit Hoisin Pork Ribs — Sesame and spring onion.

Sweet

• Salted Dark Chocolate Miso Delice — Bitter honeycomb.
• Lemongrass Panna Cotta — Bruleed apples and shortbread.

Seafood

• Naughty Nigiri — Crispy sushi rice with agedashi glaze.
• Singapore Sashimi — Fried onion, mango and lemongrass sauce.
• Karaage Squid — Whole squid, tentacles included, with spiced tartar sauce.
• Crispy Jungle Prawns — Nuoc cham and kaffir lime leaf.
• Smoked Mussel & Prawn Wontons — Green curry sauce.

Red Wine

• Saddleback Pinot Noir, Otago 2023 — Central Otago pinot noir.
• Te Kano Kin Pinot Noir, Otago 2022 — Central Otago pinot noir.
• Elephant Hill Le Phant Rouge Merlot Blend, Hawkes Bay 2023 — Hawke's Bay merlot blend.
• Jim Barry Lodge Hill Shiraz, Clare Valley 2022 — Australian shiraz.

Tap Beer

• Behemoth Ultra Cold Low Carb Lager — 4.0% on tap.
• Urbanaut Kingsland Pilsner — 4.5% on tap.
• Rhyme & Reason Fruity Patootie Hazy IPA — 4.9% on tap.
• Urbanaut Newtown Hazy Pale Ale — 4.8% on tap.
• Aliment Rye Porter — 4.8% on tap.
• Parrotdog Raptor APA — 5.7% on tap.
• Behemoth Nelsonian Rhapzody IPA — 6.7% on tap.
• McLeods Paradise Pale Ale — 5.5% on tap.

White Wine

• Two Rivers Convergence Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough 2025 — Marlborough sauvignon blanc.
• Astrolabe Province Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough 2025 — Marlborough sauvignon blanc.
• Peregrine Pinot Gris, Central Otago 2025 — Central Otago pinot gris.
• Dr Loosen Dry Riesling, Germany 2024 — German dry riesling.
• Seifrieds Gewürztraminer 2025 — Nelson gewürztraminer.
• Neudorf Tiritiri Chardonnay 2024 — Nelson chardonnay.
• Greenhough Hope Vineyard Chardonnay 2022 — Nelson chardonnay.
• Misha's Vineyard The Soloist Pinot Rosé, Central Otago 2024 — Central Otago pinot rosé.
• Yalumba Botrytis Viognier Dessert Wine, South Australia 2023 — Australian dessert wine.

Farm To Plate

• Dandan Roasted Cauliflower — Gremolata and peanuts.
• Wok Tossed Bok Choy — Black bean shiitake XO sauce and pepitas.
• Hawker Vege — Freshly picked vegetables straight from the farm.

Other Crafty Brews

• Eddyline Octolupulus Session Hazy IPA — 4.5%, 440ml.
• Royal Jamaican Ginger Beer — 4.4%, 355ml.
• Peckhams Boysenberry Cider — 5.2%, 330ml.
• Parrotdog Black Stout — 5%, 330ml.
• Capital Co Easy Rider Cider — 5%, 330ml.
• Beer Baroness Little Mighty Session IPA — 2.5%, 330ml.
• Sawmill Bare Beer Non-Alcoholic Pale Ale — 0%, 330ml.
• Behemoth Responsibly Non-Alcoholic Hazy IPA — 0%, 330ml.
• Heineken / Steinlager Classic — Bottled lager options.

Champagne & Bubbles

• No 1 Assemblé, Marlborough — Methode sparkling wine.
• Hunters MiruMiru Rosé, Marlborough — Methode sparkling rosé.
• Prosecco Brut — 200ml serve.
• Moet Champagne — French champagne.

Beer Snacks & Small Bites

• Edamame Beans — Miso and wasabi salt.
• Freshly Shucked Oysters — Mirin and ginger, when available.
• Pork Belly Bahn Mi — Chicken liver pâté and pickles.
• HH Fries — Confit garlic mayo and pickled leeks; can be ordered plain.
• Roti — Freshly cooked roti.

Frequently asked questions

What cuisine does Hawker House serve?

Food inspired by South East Asian street food and hawker markets, designed to be shared.

What are Hawker House's opening hours?

Monday to Wednesday, 4pm until late; Thursday to Saturday, 11am until close; closed on Sundays.

Do I need a reservation?

The Chef's Dining area and Chef's Dining Room can be booked for 6pm or 8pm sittings (groups over 8 should enquire), but the rest of the restaurant is casual, walk-in only.

Who owns and runs Hawker House?

It's owned by Matt and Tania Bouterey, with Chef Riki Day leading the kitchen and menu.

Is there a surcharge on card payments?

Yes, a 2% surcharge applies on credit card and Paywave payments.

What drinks does Hawker House offer?

Tap and craft beer, sparkling wine and Champagne, a range of white and red wines, and cocktails inspired by Old Shanghai and Singapore.

Is the food meant to be shared?

Yes, dishes are designed for sharing and are sent out from the kitchen as they're ready.

Tips

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• {"body":"Dishes arrive as they're ready rather than in courses, so order a spread for the table.","title":"Order to share"}
• {"body":"The cocktail list draws on Old Shanghai and Singapore influences.","title":"Start with a cocktail or sparkling sake"}
• {"body":"A 2% surcharge applies on credit card and Paywave payments.","title":"Note the card surcharge"}

Good to know

• {"payments":"A 2% surcharge applies on credit card and Paywave payments."}