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 – will launch his latest project Kuroyoko this 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.”
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 opens on Friday 5th September in Balham, bringing a new layer of Tokyo nightlife to South London.
