London chef Scott Hallsworth – best known as the former Head Chef at Nobu London and the creative force behind cult dining spots like Kurobuta, Double Dragon, and Freak Scene – launched his latest project Kuroyoko on Friday 5th September.
A kushiyaki-style restaurant inspired by the neon-lit backstreets of Japan, Kuroyoko takes its name from the Japanese for “black alley” or “dark side,” capturing the moody, atmospheric spirit of Tokyo’s after-hours dining scene. The restaurant specialises in kushiyaki – skewered and flame-grilled dishes – with a menu built around bold flavours, smoky aromas, and plates designed to be shared over sake, cocktails and highballs.
Highlights from the opening menu include:
- Chicken Tsukune with sweet soy glaze
- Oyster Mushroom skewers with garlic butter
- Octopus with scorched yellow chilli miso
- Korokke with creamy crab and truffle
- Sticky Soy Short Rib rice pot with ginger
- Sweet treats like Toasted Marshmallow with strawberry-yuzu dip and Kinako Sugar Cookie with milk choc chips and a brown rice icecream
For Hallsworth, Kuroyoko is a natural evolution of his long-standing love affair with Japanese food and culture: “I’ve always been fascinated by Japan’s after-dark food culture – smoky alleyway joints, late-night izakayas, places that feel alive with energy and flavour,” says Hallsworth. “With Kuroyoko, I wanted to bottle that atmosphere and bring it to South London – not just the food, but the whole experience.”
With just 30 seats, the buzz around Kuroyoko built rapidly. More than 500 people signed up to the waitlist at kuroyoko.com, before the doors even opened. Early birds received 30% off their first visit when signing up to the waitlist.
The opening marks Phase One of Kuroyoko, with Phase Two set to debut later this year: the transformation of the basement into two private karaoke rooms, offering guests the chance to sing into the night, Tokyo-style.
Kuroyoko opened on Friday 5th September in Balham, bringing a new layer of Tokyo nightlife to South London.
