Some ingredients never ask for attention, yet somehow become the thing that brings a whole dish together. Dukkah is one of them.
If you've eaten with us recently, you've probably already tasted it, even if you didn't realise it. This summer, you'll spot it across more of our seasonal menu, adding crunch, warmth and another layer of flavour to bowls, starters and sides.
It isn't there to steal the show. It simply makes everything around it taste even better.
Dukkah is a traditional Egyptian blend of toasted nuts, seeds and spices. Its name comes from the Arabic word meaning "to pound", referring to the way the ingredients were originally crushed together.
There has never been one definitive recipe. Every cook has their own version, mixing different nuts with spices such as coriander, cumin, sesame or sumac. That freedom is one of the reasons dukkah has travelled so well, becoming a staple in kitchens across the Mediterranean and far beyond.
Traditionally, bread was dipped into olive oil before being coated in dukkah. The principle remains the same today. Rather than overpowering a dish, it adds texture, warmth and just enough contrast to make every bite more interesting.
Great healthy food isn't about adding more. It's about getting the balance right.
Dukkah does exactly that. The combination of toasted nuts, seeds and spices brings crunch without relying on heavy toppings, while its aromatic flavours add depth without masking the ingredients underneath.
That's why it works so naturally alongside fresh vegetables, grains and open fire cooking. It also pairs especially well with vegetarian dishes, adding texture and richness while letting seasonal produce remain the focus.
This season, dukkah appears throughout our restaurant menu in several different forms, with each blend chosen to complement the dish it finishes.
You'll find hazelnut dukkah on the Stracciatella Bowl. Pistachio and sumac dukkah tops our Sweet Potato Cakes, while our Plant Based Ceviche is finished with pistachio dukkah. Street Corn is sprinkled with almond dukkah, and our Seasonal Peaches and Labneh are completed with a macadamia miso dukkah.
Every version is slightly different, but they all do the same job. They bring texture, balance and a little extra complexity without making a dish feel heavier, making them a natural choice for a relaxed lunch or an easy summer dinner.
The ingredients people remember aren't always the ones that take centre stage. Often, they're the finishing touches that quietly pull everything together.
That's exactly what dukkah does. It adds crunch where it's needed, creates contrast between flavours and gives familiar combinations another dimension without ever taking over.
Whether you're stopping by for lunch, catching up over dinner or simply enjoying a slower afternoon meal, you'll find dukkah woven throughout our seasonal menu.
At Hg, we believe good food is built through thoughtful ingredients rather than unnecessary complexity. Alongside seasonal vegetables, open fire cooking and more vegetarian dishes, dukkah has become one of the small details shaping summer in every restaurant.