Where Korean Culture Meets Modern Abu Dhabi

A new chapter in experiential dining at Al Maryah Island

Long before the first reservation is confirmed or the dining room comes to life, Hanbok announces itself as a feeling. A sense of grace carried through fabric, light, and memory. Opening soon at The Galleria Al Maryah Island, this contemporary Korean dining destination arrives in Abu Dhabi with a quiet confidence, offering not just a restaurant, but a cultural experience shaped by centuries of tradition and refined for the present moment.

Named after Korea’s iconic traditional attire, Hanbok draws from a rich visual and emotional language. The hanbok itself is a study in movement and restraint, softness and structure, femininity and form. At Hanbok Abu Dhabi, this symbolism becomes the foundation of the entire experience. Not as reference alone, but as philosophy. Every detail, from architecture to cuisine, reflects a reverence for heritage translated through a modern lens.

Designed by DBM Studio, the interiors feel sculptural yet weightless. Vertical layers of fabric float through the space, gently echoing the sway of a hanbok skirt in motion. Light moves across these suspended forms with intention, creating a room that feels alive, almost breathing. The effect is immersive and cinematic, closer to walking through a couture installation than entering a traditional dining room.

The vision comes from Yoann Grillet, Founder and CEO of Fuse Holding, who imagined Hanbok as a place where past and present exist in harmony. “Hanbok was imagined as a sanctuary where the past and present meet in quiet conversation,” he shares. “A place where heritage doesn’t merely decorate the room but breathes through every detail. We want guests to feel embraced, to experience Korean culture in a way that is poetic, sincere, and deeply human.”

That sense of sincerity carries into the menu. Korean cuisine, known for its boldness and emotional depth, is approached with refinement and precision. Flavours are layered, thoughtful, and expressive, balancing intensity with softness. Each dish reflects a dialogue between memory and innovation, where traditional techniques meet contemporary execution. It is a culinary language that respects its roots while speaking fluently to a global audience.

The spatial journey through Hanbok unfolds with intention. Guests move from a sculpted bar into a softly lit corridor, then toward an open kitchen where craft becomes choreography. The dining room itself is crowned by a dramatic floral chandelier and cascading textile installations, blurring the line between art, fashion, and hospitality. It is a space designed not to overwhelm, but to resonate.

Hanbok joins Fuse Holding’s growing portfolio of experiential dining concepts, which includes Kiyoshi in Dubai and the forthcoming Isabel Mayfair Abu Dhabi. Yet this project feels particularly personal. A tribute to Korean culture, an exploration of elegance, and an invitation to slow down and engage with beauty in its most considered form.

As Abu Dhabi continues to define itself as a global capital for culture and creativity, Hanbok arrives as a natural addition to that narrative. Refined, atmospheric, and deeply rooted in story, it stands poised to become a new landmark within the city’s dining landscape.

Hanbok will open its doors soon. Its story, however, has already begun. Written in silk and light, flavour and form, it is an experience shaped by heritage and designed for the present.

For updates, follow @hanbokabudhabi or visit hanbokrestaurants.com.