Old Boy: The New Belgian Bistronomy
Punchy, fiercely modern Asian street food executed with the swagger of a Parisian natural wine bar.
The Vibe
If you need proof that Brussels is tired of serving nothing but carbonnade flamande, step into Old Boy. Located in the hyper-trendy Ixelles neighborhood, the space is a sensory jolt. Designed around a large, open kitchen with wrapping counter seating, the aesthetic leans heavy on warm woods, raw concrete, and dim, kinetic lighting. The playlist is loud, the staff moves with surgical speed, and the atmosphere feels more akin to late-night Tokyo or a packed Brooklyn izakaya than traditional Western Europe.
What To Order
The culinary philosophy here is simple: zero restraint. The kitchen pulls heavily from Taiwanese, Thai, and Cantonese inspirations, but anchors them in pristine European technique. The menu is built for aggressive sharing. The wok-charred noodles are imbued with serious "wok hei" (breath of the wok), while dishes like the Iberian Cantonese BBQ pork offer an incredibly rich, caramelized fat cap that demands to be cut by something highly acidic.
Do not order a beer here. This food was explicitly designed to be chased by their incredibly well-curated list of low-intervention, funky natural wines.