Chef Ren Dingxu builds career from family kitchen to Dubai’s Hutong
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Chef Ren Dingxu began his culinary journey helping his grandmother prepare large family meals in Chengdu, China, and now leads the kitchen at Hutong Dubai, a restaurant recognised by the Michelin Guide.
As a child, he assisted with cooking for gatherings of 30 people, learning traditional Sichuan dishes. He formally trained at culinary school and the Shangri-La hotel in Chengdu before working in restaurants across Asia, Singapore, Malaysia, India, and Hong Kong, specialising in Sichuan cuisine.
In 2018, Hutong’s owners asked Dingxu to open a new location in Dubai, a city he found appealing for its international atmosphere and safety. He researched local tastes by dining at other restaurants to adapt the menu for Dubai’s diners, focusing on flavour and texture while adjusting the level of spice to suit local preferences. He prioritises consistent quality, personally tasting dishes prepared by his team and making adjustments as needed.
Dingxu appreciates the ease of sourcing ingredients in Dubai and the city’s support for international residents, allowing his family to settle comfortably. After six years, he considers Dubai his home and looks forward to potential expansion of the Hutong brand to other cities, including Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, and Paris.
