Hutong Dubai — Restaurant in Dubai

We went to Hutong for lunch on Saturday as part of Dubai Restaurant Week. The 3-course set menu was priced at 125 AED per person, which I thought was a wonderful deal!

I began with the Sichuan beef salad (6/10). The Sichuan beef salad was far too salty for my taste, and when I complained to our waitress, she tried to explain that they don't use salt in that dish and that the numbing-spicy flavor came from the Sichuan pepper in the sauce, I honestly wasn’t convinced.

As a supplement to the set menu, we also ordered the roasted Peking duck with pancakes for 348 AED. The duck was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, and the pancakes were freshly made and light. The only thing that I hated was the paper between each pancake, I couldn’t see it in the dim lighting of the restaurant and I ended rolling a pancake that tasted like cardboard to discover that I was eating paper. After carving our duck table-side there was more than half the duck remaining on the bones. Our server told us she will take it to the kitchen to debone it and serve it back to us as an additional course. After finishing my main dish I was wondering where is the duck? The waiter came with one small plate saying they are serving in a different style. Why? We got tiny pieces of duck with tiny green peas mixed with a brown sauce with a side of lettuce wraps. The dish was surprisingly small, and I couldn't help wondering where did the rest of the duck go? I think life came back to our duck and it flew from the kitchen’s window. Maybe the chef was hungry? Was the duck worth the cost 348AED? Well the first serving was super tasty the second style was a waste of a perfectly cooked juicy duck.

I chose the pan-seared sea bass with crispy leek as my main meal (10/10). It was cooked to perfection and served with a lovely sauce that went perfectly with the fish and a side bowl of steamed white rice. The combination of fish sauce and rice was ideal.

For dessert I chose the Golden Fortune (8/10), a delectable blend of mango compote, passion fruit ganache, coconut mousse, and mango sorbet. The mango sorbet alone earns a ten out of ten.

Apart from the food, Hutong had some unique touches like a lady doing Chinese calligraphy on fans. You spell your name and she would write it on a fan for you. The music was too loud for my taste, we could hardly hear each other. There was also a performance of a man in a mask and a red Chinese costume, which felt out of place, like entertainment for kids.

Hutong's food was decent overall, however some dishes didn't meet my expectations. The service was good, and our waiter was attentive to our needs. The experience was...

Hutong in Dubai. This isn't just a restaurant; it's a theatrical performance of Northern Chinese fine dining, set within a swanky, moodily lit space that hums with a cool, sophisticated energy. The bar area alone looks like a stage for mixology magic. But beyond the impressive aesthetics, the real stars of the show are the culinary ninjas in the kitchen and the graceful front-of-house team, including the ever-attentive Noor and Earl, who navigate the dining room with a quiet efficiency and genuine warmth that elevates the entire experience. We were on a specific mission: to delve into the intriguing world of their brand-new "Bei Fang Dim Sum" menu, and what a delightful expedition it turned out to be.

Forget those pedestrian parcels you might find elsewhere. Hutong's dim sum selection is a testament to artistry and flavour innovation. The Charcoal Lamb and Fennel Seed Dumpling offers a smoky, earthy depth that’s both surprising and utterly delicious. The Pan-Fried Minced Wagyu Beef with Dan Dan Sauce Bao is a playful yet sophisticated take on a mini-burger, the rich Wagyu embraced by a fluffy bao and that signature spicy-sweet Dan Dan kick. And the Crispy Seafood Spring Roll? Light as air, with a satisfying crunch giving way to a burst of fresh seafood flavour. But the true spectacle? The Flaming Duck. Carved tableside amidst dramatic flames, it’s a succulent, crispy-skinned masterpiece that's worth the price of admission alone. While the Ma La prawns brought a fiery intensity that tested my spice tolerance (though I suspect many will adore the exhilarating heat), the Bao & Soy dessert was a fascinatingly unique finale, a harmonious blend of sesame and soy in ganache, biscuit, praline, and ice cream form that left you intrigued and satisfied in equal measure.

Hutong isn't merely a place to eat; it's an experience meticulously crafted to impress. The level of both the cuisine and the service is exemplary, hitting all the right notes of a truly exceptional fine dining establishment. From the intriguing ambience to the innovative dishes and the attentive hospitality, it’s clear that every detail has been carefully considered. If you're seeking a memorable meal for a special occasion, a sophisticated gathering with friends, or simply a culinary adventure that will tantalize your taste buds with authentic Northern Chinese flavours presented with flair, then Hutong should be at the top of your list. Prepare for a dining experience that lingers long after...

Given that I’ve had dinner here, I must say I’ve never felt more welcome in any restaurant the same way I felt here. The service, especially that of the waitstaff, was amazing! The place has a beautiful ambiance and clearly gives off a ‘night life’ vibe which might be too dim for others. I booked a red lantern evening which also was my first tasting menu experience! For starters: I found the ‘green asparagus’ to be very sad and tasteless. The wild mushroom & truffle bao was interesting but I didn’t really enjoy the flavours as they didn’t go with the consistency of the bread. My favourite was the black and garlic chicken siu mai because the flavours exploded in your mouth and were truly surprising. For main course: the ma la chilli prawns were superb! The flavours were spot on, gave a kick of spice and hot flavour but it wasn’t overwhelming at all. The eggplant was basic and the sauce did not compliment the dish. The fried rice was cooked perfectly and tasted great! The ‘Red Lantern’ which apparently is the star of the show was overwhelming even to look at. It’s presentation was great, however, I found the dish to be lost potential because it was simply deep fried and the crab lost all its flavour. All I tasted was oil, no flavour whatsoever. I wouldn’t mind a higher price for a more proper dish. For dessert: The Bao & soy was super interesting and delicious and I would even come back specifically for it. All the different components of the dish were in harmony instead of desperately trying to make something different. For drinks: I separately ordered the comfortably numb cocktail and the planeta passito Di noto to have with my dessert. The cocktail was amazing but I found the dessert wine to be average. I also got charged 110 for a glass when the menu clearly states 90. I was quite confused and I’d hope if the business would clarifying any confusion. Overall: Not a place to be slept on, especially if you’re open to trying interesting and new flavours! Side note: I really wish the main course portions were smaller. Some of the dishes were really...