What cuisine does Saikou serve?

Asian fusion cuisine, designed to be shared tapas style.

Does Saikou have a good whisky selection?

Yes, a large and comparatively inexpensive range of rare whisky bottles from special distilleries.

Are there gluten free or dairy free options?

Yes, many dishes can be made gluten free, and dairy free and vegetarian options are marked on the menu.

What is the Chef's Choice option?

Three small plates, one large plate and a side to share, chosen by the chefs, for a minimum of 2 people.

Is Saikou good for groups?

Yes, the Saikou Share Platter is designed for 4-6 people, and the tapas-style menu suits groups well.

Saikou

Name: Saikou
Address: 4a Sefton Street East, Timaru 7910, Timaru Central, Timaru, NZ
Telephone: 03 686 6830
Price range: $
Rating: 4.6

restaurant — Timaru Central · Timaru

About Saikou

Saikou delivers premium Asian fusion cuisine in a busy, vibrant bar environment in Timaru's CBD, at the approach to Bay Hill overlooking Caroline Bay. The restaurant places an emphasis on whiskeys and craft beers alongside a sensational menu designed to be shared, tapas style, using premium quality produce.

Saikou's chefs have created a menu of small and large plates, raw plates and desserts, perfect to enjoy solo or with a group while sipping whisky, wine, Japanese beers, local craft beers or saké. The bar is known for its extensive and comparatively inexpensive selection of rare whisky bottles from special distilleries, alongside consistently praised food and service, and views over Caroline Bay.

Saikou: Asian Fusion Tapas and Whisky Overlooking Caroline Bay

Saikou delivers premium Asian fusion cuisine in a busy, vibrant bar setting in Timaru's CBD, positioned at the approach to Bay Hill and overlooking beautiful Caroline Bay.

Tapas Style, Designed to Share

Saikou's menu is built around sharing. Meals are designed tapas style, with portion sizes meant to be savoured and each dish prepared with expertise. Guests can order a single dish or a variety to satisfy every taste and appetite, using premium quality produce across a sensational Asian fusion menu that suits solo diners or larger groups just as well.

From Bao Buns to Ribeye

The small plates menu features favourites like Karaage Chicken, Yakitori Chicken Skewers, Kimcheese Rice Balls, and the Sticky Pork Belly Bao Buns with smashed cucumber and slaw. For something more substantial, the large plates include a 300g Ribeye with miso béarnaise, Red Wine Teriyaki Lamb with smoked cauliflower purée, and a Seared Tuna Steak in dashi broth. Groups can also opt for the Chef's Choice — three small plates, a large plate and a side chosen by the kitchen — or the Saikou Share Platter, built for four to six people.

Raw Plates and Sushi

Saikou's raw plates showcase fresh seafood, including Sashimi served with ponzu, wasabi and pickled ginger, and Venison Tataki with a black pepper crust and ume plum vinegar. A rotating Sushi of the Day is also available — just ask staff for today's options.

A Whisky Bar Worth Visiting

Saikou offers what it describes as the best bar in Timaru to sip a dram, with a massive and comparatively inexpensive selection of rare whisky bottles from special distilleries. Whether it's bourbon, Scotch, rye or Japanese whisky, the bar caters to a resurgence in whisky's popularity, alongside wine, Japanese and local craft beers, and saké.

What Diners Say

Customers consistently praise Saikou for its food and service, describing meals as delicious and affordable, with a great range of whiskeys and knowledgeable staff. Reviewers have also highlighted the funky bar atmosphere and the views over Caroline Bay, making it a popular spot for solo diners, couples and groups alike.

Sweet Finishes

To finish, Saikou offers Saikou Sweets including a Matcha Panna Cotta with strawberries and black sesame crisp, and a Yuzu Meringue Cheesecake served with torched meringue and Black Doris plum sorbet.

Visiting Saikou

Saikou is located at 4a Sefton Street East, Timaru 7910. The licensed bar is open Tuesday to Saturday from 11:30am till late, closed Sunday and Monday. Kitchen hours run lunch from 12pm to 2pm and dinner from 5pm to 9pm, with the bar menu always available.

Signature items

Sticky Pork Belly Bao Buns
Saikou Share Platter
300g Ribeye
Sashimi
Extensive Whisky Selection
Yuzu Meringue Cheesecake

Sashimi — Dairy free, gluten free option, thinly sliced selection of fresh seafood with ponzu, wasabi and pickled ginger
Venison Tataki — Dairy free, gluten free option, black pepper crust, tare, ume plum vinegar and perilla
Soba Noodle Salad — Edamame, radish, carrot and apple miso vinaigrette
Tempura Fries — Gluten free option, tonkatsu sauce, kewpie mayo and garlic salt
Sushi of the Day — Dairy free, gluten free option, ask staff for today's options

Large Plates

Tanindon — Savoury simmered beef and egg rice bowl (lunch)
Miso Butter Corn Ramen — Chasu pork belly, soy marinated egg, sweetcorn and nori (lunch)
Karaage Caesar — Karaage chicken, ramen egg, iceberg, roasted sweet corn, sesame dressing and parmesan (lunch)
Teriyaki — Dairy free, choice of tofu, chicken or salmon, with rich teriyaki glaze, steamed rice and slaw (lunch)
300g Ribeye — Gluten free option, miso béarnaise, tare and rice wine pickled onions (dinner)
Red Wine Teriyaki Lamb — Gluten free option, braised lamb shoulder, smoked cauliflower purée and garlic furikake (dinner)
Seared Tuna Steak — Dairy free, gluten free option, dashi broth, wasabi avocado cream and spring onion oil (dinner)
Chef's Choice — Three small plates, one large plate and a side to share, chosen by the chefs (minimum 2 people, dinner)
Saikou Share Platter — Karaage chicken, rice balls, katsu prawns and tempura fries, to share between 4-6 people (dinner)

Small Plates

Edamame — Dairy free, vegetarian, gluten free option available
Karaage Chicken — Dairy free, served with yuzu mayo and togarashi
Yakitori Chicken Skewers — Marinated chicken skewers, torched mozzarella and nori
Kimcheese Rice Balls — Vegetarian, sweet soy and spicy rice, kimchi, mozzarella, sweet chilli and kewpie mayo
Tempura Cauliflower — Dairy free, vegetarian, maple gochujang glaze, pickled radish and lemon
Takoyaki — Kewpie, okonomiyaki sauce, spring onion and bonito
Sticky Pork Belly Bao Buns — Braised pork belly, smashed cucumber and slaw
Gyoza — Dairy free, vegetarian on request, handmade potsticker dumplings
Agedashi Tofu — Vegetarian, gluten free option, fried tofu, mushroom dashi, nori and crispy leek

Saikou Sweets

Matcha Panna Cotta — Gluten free option, strawberries, sweetened coconut cream and black sesame crisp
Yuzu Meringue Cheesecake — Yuzu cheesecake, torched meringue and Black Doris plum sorbet

Frequently asked questions

What cuisine does Saikou serve?: Asian fusion cuisine, designed to be shared tapas style.
What are the opening hours?: The bar is open Tuesday to Saturday from 11:30am till late, closed Sunday and Monday. Kitchen hours are lunch 12pm-2pm and dinner 5pm-9pm.
Does Saikou have a good whisky selection?: Yes, a large and comparatively inexpensive range of rare whisky bottles from special distilleries.
Are there gluten free or dairy free options?: Yes, many dishes can be made gluten free, and dairy free and vegetarian options are marked on the menu.
What is the Chef's Choice option?: Three small plates, one large plate and a side to share, chosen by the chefs, for a minimum of 2 people.
Is Saikou good for groups?: Yes, the Saikou Share Platter is designed for 4-6 people, and the tapas-style menu suits groups well.

Tips

{"body":"The menu is designed tapas style, so ordering a mix suits groups and solo diners alike.","title":"Order a variety of small plates to share"}
{"body":"Saikou has a large, rare whisky collection at comparatively inexpensive prices.","title":"Ask about the whisky selection"}
{"body":"The restaurant overlooks Caroline Bay, a popular spot for diners.","title":"Book ahead for a table with a view"}

Good to know

{"dietary":"Many dishes can be made gluten free; dairy free and vegetarian options marked on the menu; let staff know of any dietary requirements"}