Not to be too eager to whip out the pocket-sized English-to-Chinese dictionary (Merriam-Webster’s, naturally) the word ‘hutong’ has a few different meanings.
Directly translated, it refers to a type of narrow street or alley that connects small neighbourhoods in a big city like Beijing. But more recently, the word has come to stand for community – in part because those streets have become thriving hubs of food, drink and gossip for those that live there.
Hutong Dubai isn’t down a small alley, it’s in one of the city’s most affluent areas. But the restaurant aims to channel this friendly, authentic neighbourhood spirit into something rather special. And considering it’s going up against some stiff dining competition for its location in Dubai’s International Financial Center, special is exactly what it’s going to have to be to stand out.
It does have one ace in the apron, however, and that’s because the brand’s first restaurant opened up in Hong Kong. Then it spread to London, New York, and Miami. So it must be doing something right.
Hutong Dubai: What’s the vibe?
We doubt that Hutong paints an authentic picture of what a alleyway restaurant in Beijing looks like. It overlooks Emirates Towers and the Museum of the Future, and just around the corner is Dubai’s iconic Gate Building.
The dining room is suave, dark, and commanded over by a Chinese Money Tree (which is a spruce by the way) with red envelopes tied to the branches. Generally, it’s filled with well-dressed DIFC types having a swish dinner and drink after work, and it gets a little more party over the weekend.
There’s also a small outside bar and dining area. Which – weather permitting – lets you enjoy those views in a bit more peace and quiet away from of the dining room.
Hutong Dubai: How’s the food?
High-end Asian dining concepts are a dime a Dirham in Dubai, but what truly separates the marketing from the meal is exactly that; the food. Fortunately, Hutong doesn’t go crazy trying to re-invent the wheel and that’s for the best.
Crazy fusion dishes are nowhere to be seen, and instead, the menu focusses on getting the basics very, very right.
Speciality dishes like the Sichuan pepper spiced lobster bao buns and ‘Red Lantern’ soft-shell crab (served on a scarily-large number of dried chillies) are on the money (tree, so to speak). And the dim sum is some of the best we’ve had over a long dim sum-tasting career in food.
The dishes are tasty and the service excellent; and while the term ‘authentic’ is dangerously overused these days, when it comes to Hutong I’ll allow it.
Hutong Dubai: The verdict
Nomenclature aside, we’d bet a local restaurant down an alley in Beijing shares little in common with a restaurant of this calibre, but the spirit is there.
More importantly, Hutong is certainly up there when it comes to fine dining in a city (that has more than its fair share of fancy restaurants), which makes it part of a very select community indeed.
Hutong Dubai: Where is it?
Hutong Dubai is located in Dubai International Financial District’s Gate Building 6. To find the restaurant, you’re best exiting at the main entrance to building six and walking down towards Emirates Towers. Hutong is on the corner.
Esquire now has a newsletter – sign up to get it sent straight to your inbox.
Want up-to-the-minute entertainment news and features? Just hit ‘Like’ on our Esquire Facebook page and ‘Follow’ on our @esquiremiddleeast Instagram and Twitter account.
