In our family, food has always been more than nourishment. It’s our language of love, our way of saying, "You matter." Growing up, the simplest greetings among relatives were never just "hello." Instead, we’d ask, “Have you eaten yet?” This phrase, steeped in care and tradition, captured our belief that sharing a meal is sharing a piece of our hearts.

Both my parents were the heartbeats of our home kitchen. My mother’s hands moved with precision, balancing the bold flavors of Baba Nyonya cuisine. My father brought playful experimentation, adding unexpected twists to time-honored recipes. Together, they turned every family gathering into a vibrant feast where stories were exchanged over simmering pots and laughter mingled with the aroma of spices.

When we moved to New Zealand, this tradition of generosity became our bridge to a new community. "Pot luck" gatherings were a cultural novelty to us. While guests typically brought just one dish, my parents arrived with multiple offerings, each prepared with the same devotion as if serving our own family. Their dishes, like Beef Rendang or Hokien Mee, were often the first to disappear, sparking curiosity and conversations that crossed cultural boundaries.

These moments taught me that food is a universal storyteller. At Ancestral, we honor this legacy by crafting meals that do more than satisfy hunger. They invite you into our family’s history. Every bite carries the warmth of my mother’s careful seasoning, the boldness of my father’s creativity, and the resilience of a heritage that journeyed across oceans.

Today, when we ask, “Have you eaten yet?” it’s an invitation. To taste, to connect, and to become part of a story that began generations ago in Malaysia and continues at your table in Christchurch.

Ancestral Restaurant

Where every dish is a love letter from our ancestors.