HAR bar has officially gone public with its new and blossoming relationship with the award-winning Yuzu Street Food, and we haven’t been this excited about a match since the last series of Bridgerton aired.
The Leeds foodie-scape is in a constant state of evolution. Choosing somewhere to eat out can be increasingly overwhelming, so we toddled along to the press and industry night to make sure this new, dynamic duo can really deliver on their promises.
Who are they?
Yuzu was originally born in the quintessential City of York and was the culinary culmination of the founder’s whirlwind romance with Asia. A heady passion for Thai cuisine was brought to bear by way of Yuzu Street Food and now with locations in Harrogate and Whitby, the food vendor is firmly recognised as one of the North’s very best (and there’s stiff competition.)
The new Yuzu venue opened alongside HAR bar in Leeds on Friday 15th May and is set to have an impact as whopping as its flavours, bringing its East Asian-inspired street food and live music events to the vibrant, Grade II-listed social space beneath the Howard Assembly Room in the City centre.
What to Expect…
HAR bar will now open five days a week with its shiny new (and, happily, permanent) food partner. The spicy new pairing is sure to be a fixture on every respectable foodie’s hit list, with their bold dishes, deep flavours and (much too drinkable) boozy selection.
Seasoned fans of Yuzu will not be disappointed. The new venture brings forth a truckload of their signature items, including the classic bao buns, crispy fried chicken and katsu curry, providing the perfect accompaniment to HAR bar’s quite frankly staggering range of drinks: guests can look forward to fresh aromatic coffee, artisanal cocktails and of course a carousel of brews from Leeds’ favourite Kirkstall Brewery.
As we enter the iconic building, the vibrant energy is an immediate thrill and I am struck by how vast the space feels. Think dramatic orange wallpaper, contemporary street art and dim spotlights, with Asian-style lamps on every table casting atmospheric shadows.
Opt for a table downstairs if you want a (relatively) more low-key and calmer dining experience, but head upstairs if you’re looking for something more vibey. There is a DJ space by the bar, providing the perfect mellow, upbeat backdrop to your dining experience.
Abundantly clear is the fact that this is a place to start a memorable night surrounded by friends, excellent food and a few cold pints. Although you could happily order as a solo diner, the whole experience lends itself well to family-style sharing, and the two-floor space provides a casual, merry backdrop from which to consult and agonise over Yuzu’s extensive menu.
The food itself is sharply executed in creative and downright delicious ways. Both presentation and flavour is spot on throughout the sharing-style menu, with poignant notes from Japanese, Thai, Korean and Chinese cuisine.
Of the dishes, highlights for me personally include the gargantuan-sized Sichuan Chilli Shredded Pork Noodles (£14.50) which are addictively salty and tossed in Yuzu’s 12-hour Sichuan chilli pork shoulder. But the headliners are the joint’s crispy gyoza (we sampled both the veggie and the duck – £7.50 and £8.50 respectively) which you can drizzle in radioactively-red sriracha and garnish with crispy spring onions. The Korean Bibimbap sauce is more than worthy of a mention, underlining the technical skill of the kitchen team and their understanding of flavour and balance.
Crucially, the quality of the menu and success of the dishes are underpinned by superb British ingredients and delightful Asian influences. Whilst the experience here cannot replicate a holiday to the continent, the flavours sure put in every effort they can to transport you – down to the last morsel.
Walk-ins are always welcome, but if you prefer you can book a table via the official website here.
Opening hours
Wednesday 12:00–8:30pm
Thursday 12:00–8:30pm
Friday 12:00–8:30pm
Saturday 12:00–8:30pm
Sunday 12:00–8:00pm
Photography by Amy Mortin.
