Konchu

Konchu is the kind of place that makes you feel like you've stumbled into a friend's passion project — because you have. The concept is simple but clever: a Japanese curry canteen where Belgian ingredients get folded into the menu in unexpected ways. The Okonomiyaki Chicon, which swaps traditional ingredients for Belgian endive, is the dish everyone talks about, and the Sea Bass Ochazuke is a quietly elegant bowl that earns its place on the table. The setting seals the deal — a listed Art Nouveau building by Ernest Blérot, with an interior designed to evoke the canteens of childhood memories. It's warm, it's intimate, and it's the sort of spot that makes a Tuesday dinner feel special.

That said, it's not perfect every time. Some dishes feel more refined than others, and a few reviewers have noted that certain plates could use more precision in their flavor balance. The menu is small, which is generally a good sign, but it means that a misstep on one dish is harder to overlook. Service is friendly and the atmosphere is relaxed — this isn't a stiff fine-dining experience, it's a canteen with ambition. Open for dinner only, Tuesday through Saturday, and you'd be wise to book ahead given the limited seating and the buzz this place has generated in the neighborhood.

For a night out in Ixelles, Konchu delivers something genuinely different from the usual brasserie routine. The Japanese-Belgian fusion isn't a gimmick — it's a thoughtful exercise in blending two food cultures, and when it hits, it really hits. Go with an open mind, order the okonomiyaki, and let the canteen vibe do the rest.