When you think of Japanese food, the first thing that comes to mind is ramen.
But Japanese cuisine, especially in Dubai, is so much more than a steaming bowl of noodles. In December 2013, the traditional cuisine of Japan, Washoku, was noticed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage asset. And not only that, but Japan has the second-largest number of Michelin restaurants in the world. Tokyo alone has more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other city, so yes, it is unfair that we limit the beauty of Japanese food to just sushi or ramen.
So, within the endless range of cuisines and gastronomic experiences in Dubai, these are established Japanese restaurants that focus on their traditional flavors with dedication and love. And, luckily, for Dubai tourists and residents, this means that you can eat any Ja
but in the endless range of dishes that bring together fresh vegetables, meats, seafood, and delicate seasonings. In Japan, most restaurants are “specialty” establishments, focusing on one type of dish and mastering it. And luckily, foodies in Dubai can taste dishes ranging from teppanyaki grills to omakase counters without ever leaving the UAE.
5 Japanese Must-Eat Dishes in Dubai That Aren’t Ramen
If you always order ramen in the name of Japanese cuisine whenever you are in a Dubai restaurant, you need a serious reality check. Here is our guide to must-eat Japanese dishes in Dubai that are more than just a noodle bowl.
1. Okonomiyaki – Street Food Pancake
Okonomiyaki is an Osaka specialty, loved all the way in Dubai as well. It is fun to make and has a savory flavor, which means that you can customize it in a lot of ways.
Okonomiyaki is made with flour, grated yams, crunchy tempura scraps, and shredded cabbage. It is also known as Japanese frittata or Japanese pizza, as this dish is pan-fried and topped with a mix of ingredients like seafood, cheese, or wasabi.
In Dubai, if you are craving good Okonomiyaki, head to restaurants like Bento-ya Kitchen and Kimuraya Authentic Japanese restaurant. Other spots like JIMOTO in Damac Hills are specialty Okonomiyaki restaurants, which are recently becoming a hot tourist destination for Japanese food lovers.
2. Udon – Thick Wheatflour Noodles
Udon is the comforting variant of ramen. Ramen is spicy and bold. Udon is thicker, chewier, and whiter. The fascinating part is that Udon, the thick, white wheat noodles, are used both in hot and cold dishes. You can have it in Zaru Udon – chilled noodles served alongside a dipping sauce, or in a soothing broth, Kake Udon.
In Dubai, Udon has found its home in many Japanese restaurants and in the hearts of Dubai residents and tourists. Places like Marugame Udon and Maru Udon restaurants specialise in these wheat and buckwheat noodles. While Wemart also serves fresh Udon noodles in their food court.
3. Sushi – Affordable and Versatile Platters
Many people in Dubai try sushi for the first time, but they end up with only California rolls. Sushi platters are a great option to try many kinds of sushi, from nigiri and sashimi to maki rolls, without splurging on individual dishes. One platter contains many types of sushi, some with vinegared rice, others with fresh seafood and vegetables, and so much more.
We believe that everyone in Dubai must try a sushi platter. Do you know how much dedication it takes to create sushi platters that are fresh, top-quality, and look like a piece of art? Yet, Dubai chefs make the best sushi platters, especially in places like Miyabi Sushi Silicon Oasis and Hako Sushi.
4. Yuba – Tofu Skin Delicacy
Dubai, a city that strives to preserve traditional recipes of all the cuisines in the world, is known for its delicious food. And Japanese cuisine is no exception.
Yuba might be the least popular Japanese food in Dubai, but that is because it is an unassumingly delicious dish. Yuba forms on the surface when you boil soy milk. Yuba looks like a pale yellow tofu skin, which feels great when you bite into it and chew. It has a slightly sweet as well as savory flavor.
While Yuba may be served in very few places in Dubai, you can make your own tofu skin with sprouted soy milk at home.
5. Hitsumabushi – Thinly Sliced and Grilled Unagi (Eel)
Hitsumabushi is Nagoya’s specialty. It is different from Unaju or Unadon, as in Hitsumabushi, the grilled eel is placed on cooked rice after being sliced into thin strips. The container in which Hitsumabushi is served is called ohitsu (a round wooden container made from cypress.)
If you ever try Hitsumabushi in Dubai, eat it in the Nagoya way. Here is how to do it;
- Divide the bowl contents (rice+eel) into 4 servings. Just use a spoon to make quarter servings in the same bowl.
- Eat one quarter as it is. It is just like having Unadon.
- Take the second quarter in another small bowl, and add condiments (like wasabi or scallions). Enjoy it with a different taste.
- In the third quarter, add the dashi broth. Also known as green tea, it tastes just like Ochazuke.
- The last quarter is left. Enjoy it in any of the three ways we have described above.
In Dubai, look for hitsumabushi in Mitsu-Ya Dubai or Armani/Hashi restaurant, where eel (unagi) is a highlight.
Where to Try Japanese Food in Dubai
In Dubai, there are many awesome places to try Japanese food. Tomo and Nobu have the best sushi, Kinoya makes the best noodles, Mimi Kakushi is for fine dining izakaya bites, and Akabeko serves yakiniku. Foodies in Dubai must also explore Honeycomb Hi-Fi and check out their wagyu skewers, and Konjiki Hototogisu for ramen and tonkatsu.
So, while ramen often steals the spotlight in Japanese cuisine, there are so many more amazing and unique dishes that you must try – and Dubai has them all.
So, the next time you try any one of the dishes we have mentioned above, do let us know how your experience went and whether you liked them or not.
Catch you later!
