Mr Wong’s Dan Hong opens new Merivale restaurant MuMu

A work trip with boss Justin Hemmes through five Asian countries was the inspiration behind Mr Wong’s chef Dan Hong opening new restaurant MuMu in The Ivy Precinct.

A pre-Covid wild work trip with boss, hospitality titan Justin Hemmes, was the inspiration behind renowned chef Dan Hong’s new restaurant MuMu.

The Merivale executive chef opens the South East Asian restaurant in The Ivy Precinct on Friday.
It’s the culmination of two years of work that started after Hong, Hemmes and a host of Merivale head chefs travelled to South East Asia in 2019.

“We visited five different countries in seven days and were inspired by the street food we ate,” Hong said.

Dan Hong’s (left) new restaurant MuMu was inspired by a trip he did with Justin Hemmes through Asia.

The group travelled to Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore and met chef Luke Nguyen for one night in Vietnam.

They tried a chicken curry for breakfast in Penang that “shits all over cereal”, sea snails in coconut milk and an herbal rice noodle soup that includes all parts of the duck.

This became the inspiration behind MuMu.

The group in Vietnam with local chef Luke Nguyen.

“It’s a little more authentic and traditional than my other restaurants,” Hong said.

However, like Hong’s Potts Point eatery Ms. G’s, MuMu will have a fun cocktail list, loud music and an eclectic vibe.

MuMu is Hong’s first big restaurant opening since establishing the huge 240-seat iconic Mr. Wong in 2014.

In that time, Hong has become one of Australia’s top celebrity chefs.

“I don’t think of the pressure or the fact I’m more well known. My job is still to make delicious food,” he said.

Hong said throughout the pandemic, Hemmes remained positive MuMu would open.

While the hospitality industry as a whole is grappling with a hospitality staff shortage crisis, Hong said it’s a great time to open a new restaurant.

“I’m super positive about the future. There is no shortage of people who want to go out and eat,” he said.