I didn’t expect to find a slice of Chelsea tucked into Belsize Village, but here we are. HUŎ, the impossibly polished Park Walk spot where everything tastes as clean as it looks, has moved north, and I went to see whether NW3 could handle a bit of SW10 swagger. Spoiler: it can.
From the moment I stepped inside, it felt familiar. The same whitewashed wood, the same quiet hum of people who take food seriously but not themselves. Jonathan Clark Architects have worked their magic again, wrapping the room in latticed timber and soft rattan light that flatters both the diners and the dumplings. Lime-washed floors and curved banquettes add warmth, while Asian artworks and natural tones bring calm to the chaos of London life. It’s the kind of space that feels instantly settled, as if it’s always been here.
We began with the kaleidoscope dim sum basket and wok-fried daikon cakes. The dim sum arrived glistening and delicate, each translucent parcel revealing its own small secret. The daikon cakes, golden and smoky, came tossed with bean sprouts and just enough soy to remind you that texture can be flavour too. Between sips of jasmine tea, we made a pact to share everything, though both of us knew that promise wouldn’t last.
The Thai sea bass, steamed with chilli and lemongrass, arrived soft and fragrant, the kind of dish that hums rather than shouts. Each bite was clean, bright and quietly addictive. Across the table, the black bean chicken sizzled with garlic and heat, the sauce clinging to every piece like silk. We swapped plates halfway through, pretending it was for the sake of fairness. It wasn’t.
Side dishes kept up the pace – crisp mixed vegetables that still had crunch, steamed rice that soaked up every bit of sauce. The kind of details that feel small until you realise they’re what make the meal.
Dessert was non-negotiable. HUŎ’s toffee banana fritter is a signature for a reason: light, crisp, and lacquered in molten caramel that gives way to soft, hot fruit beneath. It’s indulgent, nostalgic, and quietly perfect, the kind of thing that leaves you smiling without knowing why.
We lingered at the bar, where the lighting turned soft and the evening stretched. My lychee martini was clean and floral, the Asian negroni rich and complex. Around us, the hum of conversation blurred into something almost meditative. Downstairs, a private dining room promised livelier nights; outside, a terrace caught the last of the sun.
HUŎ has always been about balance – flavour without fuss, polish without pretense. This new Belsize Village outpost captures that spirit completely. It feels local already, a place for quiet dinners that somehow turn into late ones. Chelsea’s golden child has crossed the river and grown roots. And sitting there with an empty glass and a faint trace of caramel on my spoon, I had to admit… this is exactly where HUŎ belongs.
29 Belsize Lane, London, NW3 5AS
