The Korean Cowgirl, Riverside

You'll find yourself on Kingsmead Road heading towards the river, where The Korean Cowgirl has carved out something genuinely different for Canterbury. The name's a bit of a wink—part cheeky, part serious about what they're doing with Korean food here. Walk in and there's an energy to the place; it's the kind of spot where groups cluster around tables, sharing plates and working their way through the grill. The menu leans into what they do best: Korean BBQ where you're doing the cooking, banchan sides that actually taste like someone cared, and enough spice levels to keep things interesting whether you're a timid eater or proper adventurous.