Yugo is a seriously trendy pan Asian canteen-style eatery in Belfast. The offering is straightforward, punchy flavours served up in creative ways. The brick walls, high ceilings and bench seating give the space a buzzy, relaxed feel, while the hanging lanterns and plants add a chic touch. Lovers of seafood, meat, veg or all three will find plenty to enjoy on their medium-length menu, which is split into snacks, 'smalls', 'bigs', bao, sides and desserts.
Snacks at Yugo fit the bill when it comes to exciting the palate. Choose from a scallop gunkan (a rice ball, cupped by seaweed), a hoisin pork spring roll or a mushroom tart with black garlic. After you've likely tried all three, the 'smalls' pick up the pace, with crispy pork dumplings or tempura broccoli, before veering west with a spiced lentil dahl then going global for a beef tartare with confit egg, truffle, black rice and Tokyo turnip.
The 'bigs' go all-out, with seriously substantial dishes like Szechuan lamb shoulder with beetroot, quinoa, pomegranate, roasted halibut with celeriac, mussels, chicken skin and bisque or a beef short rib massaman with peanut chilli and steamed rice. After these belters, the menu shrinks down again with some more pared-back bao, including crispy curried cod with red cabbage and lime, chicken caesar with pseudo bacon or kimchi, chilli and crispy shallot.
If this doesn't sound filling enough (unlikely), there are also sides, such as wok-fried greens or hand-cut chips with togarashi. Diners can then finish the meal with a choice of desserts. These include a chocolate ganache with marshmallow and passionfruit, an orange and brown sugar creme brulee or a white chocolate cream with sesame crunch, blueberry and citrus beignet.
This restaurant is well-suited to group dining, which has the added benefit of allowing more ground to be covered when it comes to the menu.