Heso

Heso — which translates from Japanese as 'navel' — is a Japanese restaurant in Düsseldorf that opened in December and has already made a real impression. Chef Kristiyan Ivanov, a 30-year-old Bulgarian cook, brings a precise and creative approach to Japanese cuisine, with a clear emphasis on product quality and thoughtful preparation. The cooking blends traditional Japanese technique with a contemporary sensibility. The menu features both meat and vegetarian options, showing genuine consideration for different ways of eating rather than treating plant-based dishes as an afterthought. Dishes are presented with a strong visual aesthetic — this is food that takes its craft seriously. For corporate dining, Heso offers something that stands out from the usual options: a kitchen with a distinct point of view, led by a chef who clearly has something to prove. It's the kind of place that gives a work dinner actual talking points.