Arkadiusz Jozwik, 39, was assaulted in August 2016 in The Stow, Harlow, and later died in hospital.
The teenager, who cannot be identified because of his age, appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court where he denied a charge of manslaughter.
A trial date was set for July and the boy was released on conditional bail.
Mr Jozwik, who was also known as Arek, was assaulted along with a friend outside a takeaway on 27 August.
He was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge following the attack and died from head injuries. His friend suffered hand and stomach injuries.
A 15-year-old boy has denied the manslaughter of a Polish man who died after being attacked in Essex.