Soho’s only two Michelin-star restaurant, Humble Chicken, is to reopen in a “new formation” on Wednesday June 18 as chef-owner Angelo Sato seeks a third star.
The Frith Street restaurant has undergone a complete refurbishment since closing temporarily in March and Sato’s omakase experience has been entirely reimagined.
Where there were 20 covers before, there will now be just 13, with guests seated around a “more intimate” counter carved out of cherry wood and walnut.
Sato said the move promises a more “personal” and “connecting” experience for guests, while the new menu allows chefs to “delve deeper creatively”.
Humble Chicken, which opened as a yakitori bar in 2021, moved to become a higher-end concept in 2023 and was awarded two Michelin stars earlier this year.
Sato said these latest steps are about diners, culinary progress, and winning further accolades.
He told the Standard: “Restaurants are all about evolution. I take immense pride — and feel deeply humbled — that people choose to spend their time and invest significantly to dine with us. Even more meaningful is when they choose our restaurant to celebrate some of the most special and intimate moments of their lives.
“For me, that’s not just an honour, it’s a profound responsibility. It’s our duty to give everything we have, every day, to meet and exceed their expectations. We don’t take that lightly. It fuels everything we do.”
Sato said Humble Chicken 3.0 will lean into its Soho environs further. He added the new menu will mark a return to his roots, softly inspired by the traditional Japanese shokuji, a composed course that includes a rice dish, a soup, something grilled, and pickles.
“What excites me most is the chance to work with a single incredible ingredient and explore it through multiple techniques,” Sato said. “It’s about restraint, precision, and letting the pigeon speak for itself in a variety of forms.”
The chef, who was born and raised in Japan and trained in Tokyo, wouldn’t reveal anything more about the menu and hasn’t shared how much this latest investment has cost, though added: “The reality is, we’re in the heart of London, where every millimetre comes at a premium. But instead of seeing that as a limitation, we see it as an opportunity.
“It allows us to create something truly intimate and theatrical — a little bubble in the middle of the city where people can escape, even just for a few hours. A space where genuine hospitality and exceptional food come together to create something memorable.”
Humble Chicken 3.0 will open on June 18. The new tasting menu will be priced at £235 per person. 54 Frith Street, Soho, London, W1D 4SJ, humblechickenuk.com
