Joyful - Newport

I had wanted to return to Joyful as my one previous experience was positive. We got there on a Saturday night with no reservations so couldn’t have a table...no problem we would have take away. We ordered 6 deep fried wontons, sweet and sour pork, combination rice and vegetable dish...we got 24 steamed wontons...no flavour, a beef dish with more grizzle than beef, and 2 seafood vegetable dishes with tofu I think. I called after getting home and they said bring it back! We live to far to drive back, but they just told me the meal we got was worth more than the one we ordered! We will not be back! It was an awful experience!

The waitress who bring us food is the only one can smile in this restaurant, others just don't care and the manager doesn't even look at you when you pay the bill. Food is below average and I don't think it can be called Chinese food at all.

Original chinese dishes , great for 6 or more people for there are great round tables with a lazy susan so you can share these great feeds easily

I was visiting NZ and missed Chinese food after a week, and when I got to Christchurch I found this restaurant. It's unpretentious, very clean and features a pretty extensive menu. And, service was very quick. I have always found that you can judge the finesse and authenticity of a Chinese restaurant by their won ton soup...and theirs is fabulous..delish, fresh tasting, and with a delicate won ton skin. All in all, the food is very good and this restaurant will easily hold its own in any city in the world. So glad I found it.

Perhaps this was good by Christchurch standards, but I found the food tasting pretty average. The boss at the cash register was not very interested in us, seemed more concerned about collecting payment. Not someone I 'd recommend.