As always the food is spectacular. Ok the new site has not got the character of the old shop on Colombo St but the food was as always outstanding and this coming from a meat eater. The Tea salad is to die for, the Beef and Chicken dishes are tender and full of flavour. the service was excellent and the food was hot! this was our 6th or 7th visit and when we can get a babysitter we will be back

I used to be a regular when this restaurant was on Colombo St., but hadn’t been back since the quakes until yesterday. The new premises are not flash either inside or outside. No problem there. They are a little bigger than they used to be and as this restaurant is so must book busy it makes for a very noisy dining experience. This I can deal with.

What I do have issue with is my disappointment with the food after such a long absence. I recall it being significantly better pre-quakes than it is now, but the service remains friendly and functional. Pre-quake I chose to place this as one of the better restaurants in town as well as being reasonably priced for the quality of the admittedly small plates. But not now. The visual precision of the Japanese influenced chef remains intact, but somehow the flavours have become wishy washy, and the menu has not changed in all the time I have been visiting this place. Methinks they are resting on their laurels and have let standards slip.

Some dishes are lacking in flavour whilst others are imbalanced: a little blah there, a lack of acidity there, too much smoked tea or star anise elsewhere. The skewered lamb cooked perfectly stood out to me, whilst the shredded chicken salad, tohu (not tofu but deep fried yellow split pea dal chips) and ‘braised’ or more accurately cerviche fish all worked. The other 7 dishes chosen did not fare nearly so well. I went with a group and shared widely, which is the best way to experience the menu.

All in all I found The Bodhi Tree OK and not nearly as good value for money as I once thought it was even at the same price.

I went to The Bodhi Tree the other day and I have mixed feelings about Burmese cuisine. I tried three dishes: an eggplant salad, a bean salad, and tofu. The tofu was the best because it was cooked in a sauce of some kind, making it much tastier than it would be otherwise. I also liked the bean dish because of its freshness. Unfortunately, the eggplant dish was not so good, all I can say is don’t order it.

The Bodhi Tree has since moved, and they currently exist at Fendalton Village. The inside of the new restaurant doesn’t look posh but it’s definitely a place I’d like to visit again, and next time I’ll order a tofu dish of my own so I don’t have to steal from family, haha!

The Bodhi Tree offers small portions for a reasonable price, so typically you would order two dishes, at about $10 each (plus rice bowls). Very health oriented, so I do recommend trying it out!

excellent service, yummy clean and fresh food. recommend trying a variety of dishes.

Amazing restaurant, every dish had a lot of healthy vegetables and was very fresh.

Stunning as always. Our group has dined here (and at the previous location) many times and have always had a wonderful experience.

The service was top notch in particular the wonderful Japanese lady who served us. She would be an asset in any fine dining restaurant world wide.

After reading several of the harsh reviews on this site I have to say , it important people actually read the menu as it clearly states the dishes are small and are meant to be shared, secondly anyone who states the prices are high clearly do not know what quality food made with quality ingredient actually cost’s both in produce and time. Finally I have dined here since opening and have never been greeted with a traditional Burmese greeting so I really have no idea where that reviewer is coming from.

Amazing well worth a look!

UPDATE: In repsonse to Robin a review below, no I am not connected to the owners other than enjoying this resturant for what it is. Authentic and delicious.

So you have travelled to Burma have you? I lived there for 5 years so I guess that trumps your hand.

I just get irritated with wannabe food critics who really have no idea of what good food or service really is. Yes you are welcome to your opinion as long as it doesn’t impact on others hard work. As past owner I know how unfair reviews impact business.

Any by the way ROBIN, have you ever owned a business let alone attempted to relocate and start again in a completely new spot following a major quake I think not.

Another happy meal for you is it?

Where are the longyis and the Burmese greeting?
Sadly missing! Service slow and depended on kitchen preparing same dish for multiple tables This is not an a la carte experience. There may have been an earthquake and fewer restaurants but is this a reason to let standards slip? extremely disappointing after having experienced the original.

4th February 2012
Have just received the following From Natalie J the reviewer above mine.

Subject: You clearly have no taste

“After reading your review I can only conclude you should really eat where your class is meant to. Burger king, Mc Donalds , and KFC.

Good day to you.”

I don’t know where she is coming from maybe associated with the business but reviews are free expressions of ones visit to a particular restaurant and more honest reviews would be helpful. I have visited Myanmar several times and know a little about it’s cuisine.

The type of food that makes you smile from ear to ear.

The tea leaf salad and tamarillo sorbet are both incredible.

In response to the reviewer below, the menu is not organised into ‘mains’, but into smaller dishes (similar to tapas) that are meant to be shared. We ordered enough for four people plus wine, and the bill came to about $30 a person. Pretty reasonable if you ask me.

I came to this restaurant with reasonably high hopes. I’d been hearing great reviews about the Bodhi tree, and it was the only Burmese place in town. The food was tasty and healthy, the problem was there was barely a spoonful of it. The Bodhi tree without doubt, gives the most frugal portion sizes on the planet. Mains barely last a minute, it really is that bad. Unless you can afford 3 mains, don’t bother

Sorry to be boring – but 5 stars like all the others. Excellent food, pleasant & polite staff.
Full every night without exception. If I owned this place, I’d double the prices – it would still be full !

One of Christchurch’s best restaurants. Ok it doesn’t look like much, but the food is great. Best two get two dishes each and just pick at them.

This is definitely one of my favourite restaurants in Christchurch. The food is fresh and healthy and I LOVE it!

Excellent and amazing food , great service , great prices.

The food is delicious with a great variety of subtle flavours. The service is also very efficient, so together this makes for a great dining experience

We’ve been going to The Bodhi Tree for several years because its just so very, very good and its never disappointed us. We’ve introduced many friends locally (in the early days; now all of Chch knows of it)and visitors from abraod, all of whom have been overwhelmingly full of praise for the delicious, light, flavoursome food. The fact that you can order several entree-sized dishes, share them, and therefore experience a number of different tastes, makes it all the more enjoyable. Tea Leaf Salad and Shredded Green Papaya Salad have consistently pleased from our very first visit. Don’t change a thing!

Exquisite cuisine. I keep coming back sometimes for new things, sometimes to enjoy dishes I have tried before. Nothing disappoints ever.

It is very rare indeed in Christchurch to return to the same place over 3 or so years and to have CONTINUOUS good food and great service-sure the decor ain’t swanky -but neither is it “w…ky-probably the best restaurant in Christchurch!!!

I love the food here. The food is fresh with delicate flavours, great ingredients and lots of choice for me being an Aquatarian. I can go with carnarvores and they love the food too.

The Bodhi Tree is the best restaurant I have ever eaten at, Sure the decor is casual but who cares!! the food is amazing and always consistent, the tea salad and napi jo the best,! the only restaurant I crave the food, and have been eating there for two years very regularly and I always leave very very satisfied, the staff are great and Roy always has a story!, everyone we have taken there love it!.

Not many restaurants would get away with these surrounding’s but it’s not the environment you come for at the Bodhi tree. The food here is simply delicious and most importantly consistant.
The service goes unnoticed which is fine by me. Fairly priced. Recommended!!

This place is amazing. The food is light but full of flavour. Service is friendly and quick with either BYO or buy there. Need to book well in advanced as everyone knows about it in Christchurch