Review of HUŎ

Nestled in the chic, village-like enclave of Belsize Lane (NW3), HUŎ has opened a stylish new outpost, offering a refined menu of clean, contemporary Asian cuisine. Drawing inspiration from across China and Southeast Asia — including Thai, Malay, Chinese, and Singaporean traditions — HUŎ offers a vibrant yet balanced take on pan-Asian dining.

The atmosphere is calm and effortlessly elegant. Designed in collaboration with award-winning RIBA London architect Jonathan Clark, the space marries spaciousness with intimacy. Think soft driftwood tones, gentle lighting, and booth-style seating that evokes a sense of zen tranquillity — after a busy day, this environment was the perfect setting for our meal.

The restaurant is thoughtfully divided into three areas. At the front, there’s a long bar and casual counter-style seating, just the spot for an evening drink or sharing a few light bites. The edamame with rock salt or chilli and crispy seaweed is a delicious accompaniment.

Along with a list of luxurious cocktails, the bar boasts an impressive selection of Japanese whiskies, vodkas, and craft beers on tap. We couldn’t resist testing the silky Lychee Martini and tarte Rising Sun, a berry-infused concoction of vodka and prosecco — both refreshing and well-balanced.

Toward the rear of the restaurant lies the main dining room, where we were seated. HUŎ’s menu is diverse and dotted with lesser-known gems. A standout starter was the wok-fried daikon cakes with bean sprouts — commonly referred to as “carrot cake” in Singapore, though no carrots are involved. Made from shredded radish and rice flour, the texture was rich and hearty, the spiced bean sprouts adding a satisfying crunch. This dish, was a real standout, and the unexpected highlight of the overall dining experience. The dish may look humble, but it is a riot of warmth and flavour, although probably best shared, as the texture and composition are quite filling, especially if you’re ordering multiple starters. We were very pleasantly surprised at just how delicious this dish turned out to be.

We also sampled the peppercorn salted prawns, which were delicately battered and garnished with slivers of fresh chilli, light, crisp, and full of flavour without being overpowering.

For mains, we opted for the steamed Thai seabass, infused with lemongrass and chilli, alongside the black bean chicken (though tofu and beef are also available). The seabass was wonderfully tender, flaking apart at the touch of a fork, and fragrant with the subtle perfume of lemongrass. Though our dishes contained chilli, the spice level was perfectly judged, enough to warm the palate without masking the nuances of the herbs and aromatics. We rounded off the meal with classic sides of sticky rice and wok-fried Chinese vegetables, which complemented the mains beautifully.

Dessert was a shared toffee banana fritter — a sticky, indulgent treat. While a touch too sweet for my palate, my partner, who leans towards the sugary side of life, thoroughly enjoyed it.

HUŎ manages to strike a balance between elevated dining and a welcoming, neighbourhood vibe. The cocktails are bright and inventive, the food fresh and thoughtfully prepared, and the space warm yet sophisticated. Family-friendly and surprisingly lively for a Monday evening, the restaurant was buzzing with a diverse crowd, from young families to couples and groups of friends.

If you’re after stylish, flavour-forward Asian fusion with a calming ambience, HUŎ is well worth visiting.

For more information and to book click here.

Written by Claire Bloom

Photography courtesy of HUŎ