Though Dubai has more that its fair share of high-end Japanese restaurants, the highly sought after mid-range sector has been largely underserved. Enter UCHI M’OISHÎ. Founded by Dubai-based restaurateur Carole Moawad, the café serving ingredient-driven Japanese street food and speciality desserts has opened in THAT Concept Store at Mall of the Emirates.
An evolution of her existing Japanese ice-cream brand, M’OISHÎ, for Carole, it was important for UCHI M’OISHÎ (home of M’OISHÎ) to embody the vibrant flavours, energy and ambiance of authentic Japanese street food. In order to achieve this, she called on renowned culinary figure to consult on the menu. The result is an eclectic and playful selection of dishes rooted in Japanese flavours and made with ingredients imported from Japan where necessary.
Speaking about what sets UCHI M’OISHÎ apart from its competitors, Carole described the concept as the French bistro of Japanese cuisine. A place where people can go for great quality comfort food, served in an approachable and vibrant environment. She says: “Even though Uchi M’OISHI offers a fully fledged restaurant menu, it preserves the initial identity of M’OSIHÎ, a Japanese café with a full menu of Japanese serving teas and speciality drinks with cakes and our full selection of mochi ice cream on display. Think of it as a Japanese Ladurée.”
Inventive yet approachable, diners will find a skillfully curated selection of hot and cold appetisers, raw dishes, rice pots, wagyu burgers as well as several variations of the now iconic sando (including a cauliflower version perfect for plant-based diners). Not to be forgotten, dessert-lovers will surely be delighted by the restaurant’s signature mochi doughnuts. Made in-house daily, this hybrid of sweet treats is a first in the region and just one of UCHI M’OISHI’s many talking points.
The interiors reflect the fusion of tradition and modernity found on the menu. Solid wood and rattan elements are juxtaposed with Scandinavian furniture and neon lights, resulting in a space reminiscent of one that you might find in one of Tokyo’s trendy neighbourhoods.
