Marcus Hale, Food & Drink Writer
Chinese-Texas barbecue, smoked over wood in the heart of east London, is the latest addition to one of the capital's most exciting food neighbourhoods.
Hackney Wick has spent the last decade quietly building a reputation as one of London's most creative food destinations, and today it welcomes another ambitious addition.
Hon's BBQ officially opens its doors today, taking over the former Silo site in Queen's Yard with a concept that combines Chinese flavours with Texan-style barbecue. It's one of the restaurant openings that London's food lovers have been anticipating all summer.
The restaurant is led by chef Man Hon Luk, whose residency at nearby bar All My Friends quickly earned a following for its bold approach to smoked meat and inventive sauces. Now, with a permanent home, the menu expands to include dishes such as smoked short ribs with Sichuan peppercorn sauce, Taiwanese pork belly and Iberico ribs alongside indulgent sides including smoked mac and cheese.
The opening is another sign of how Hackney Wick continues to evolve. Once known primarily for warehouses and artist studios, the area has become one of London's most interesting places to eat, drink and spend an evening. Independent restaurants, breweries and cafés now sit alongside creative workspaces, giving the neighbourhood a distinctive identity that feels different from anywhere else in the capital.
Hon's BBQ reflects a wider trend across London's dining scene: chefs increasingly drawing inspiration from multiple cuisines without feeling constrained by tradition. Rather than trying to recreate a single regional style, restaurants are becoming more confident in blending influences to create something uniquely their own.
That confidence has helped make London's food scene one of the world's most dynamic. New openings are rarely just about another restaurant - they often become destinations in themselves, encouraging people to explore neighbourhoods they may not otherwise visit.
For east London, Hon's BBQ looks set to become exactly that kind of place.