Tried & Tested: Hutong’s New Dumpling Menu At The Shard 

Looking for a meal with a view? Hebe Hill heads to Hutong at The Shard. 

Review: Hutong, The Shard

As the lift ascended to the 33rd floor of The Shard, I wondered if the food I was about to taste could match London’s stunning skyline. As it so happens, it exceeded even my highest expectations, with its attentive staff, peaceful ambience and, most importantly, delightful Chinese cuisine. 

You’d expect nothing less than lavish interiors at The Shard, but Hutong is undeniably elegant; the finely crafted chairs are finished with berry-coloured cushions and sweeping curves which invite you to sit and gaze at unobstructed views of the sparkling city. The red lanterns adorning each table provide an additional flourish, deepening as the sun sets.

The Bei Fang Dim Sum series is designed for dumpling enthusiasts, and it’s easy to see why – although the cocktail menu is just as enthralling. We managed to narrow down the seemingly endless menu of tropical, herbal and citrusy cocktails to two intriguing options: the Changbai (a mixture of coconut, peach, jasmine and soda) and a marvellous coffee and melon martini. 

The eight unique dishes that make up the series honour the Chinese symbol of prosperity and success, and the menu is certainly a culinary (and rather Instagrammable) triumph. As as the grand display of dim sum arrived at the table, the waiter jokingly told us to get our cameras ready, and soon enough dry ice billowed from our table, reflecting the wispy clouds that drifted past the windows. Although we’d arrived at Hutong too early to catch golden hour, the food was spectacle enough to steal all our attention.  

Tiers of dumplings crowded the platter, from rich lamb and fennel seed to a showstopping crispy bean curd roll stuffed with luxuriously soft lobster. Each dish was wonderfully varied, and many incorporated unusual combinations of ingredients; a standout offering was the sea cucumber and abalone dumpling, which also contained spring onions, scallops and ham. There’s a real focus on fresh seafood, too. 

From lobster, seaweed and crab to chicken, tofu and mushroom, Hutong masterfully weaves tradition with contemporary elegance, perfectly embodying the vibrant energy and rich flavours of Northern Chinese culture.  

THE FINAL WORD

More than a restaurant, Hutong delivers an experience worth the dizzying ascent. (For a real treat, make sure to visit at sunset.)

BOOK IT

Level 33 The Shard, 31 St Thomas St, London SE1 9RY. hutong.co.uk