Attention Restaurant Investors

(A.A.KHAN, Dubai)

DESI RESTAURANT BUSINESS IN UAE

Indo-Pak foods has been in existence for several centuries and has evolved through time to uphold the symbol of South-Asian culture. It is known for its intricate blending of exotic spices, veggies, and meat to create one truly delectable dish. History and flavor, that’s pretty hard to top. It’s no wonder Desi restaurants have grown in popularity over the years.

Not only is Pakistani and Indian cuisine flavorful and delicious, it is healthy and nutritious as well. Most dishes are made up mostly of fruits and vegetables. The idea that our cuisine is fatty, rich, and oily is a definite misconception.

Curry is not the be all and end all of a Desi dish. Other favored spices include, chilies, saffron, ghee, tamarind, coconut, mustard. Collectively, these spices are called Garam Masala. This is distinct to every household and restaurant and serves as the backbone of the dish.

Many of the Desi restaurants utilize a wide variety of meat which plays a dominant role in the dishes that are offered in the restaurants. Mutton and chicken are some of the most dominant dishes particularly in the forms of kebab or the classic beef shank dishes.

Not many Desi restaurants are known for their variety in the seafood sections. The usual range of vegetables that are used by the Pakistani/Indian restaurants includes the eggplant, bitter gourd, cauliflower, potatoes, okra, cabbage, rutabaga, saag, and peppers. These vegetables are quite frequently prepared in their many forms for every day meals in these types of restaurants.

I have been in Dubai since February 2011. I observed during these days there are thousands of expatriates from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Afghanistan both on high-class and low-class level. But un-fortunately on both levels there are not good food establishments which are facilitating them.

For example on the middle class or lower level we found two famous restaurants:
(1)Ravi Restaurant
(2) Karachi Darbar

They are providing the food on low cost, but they are not serving the pure or authentic Pakistani or north Indian food. Their food not hygienic or up to the standard, But people are helpless; they don’t have any other choice. So they have to eat their food.

Same on the high-class or upper level we see there are some restaurants like BBQ Tonight, Ibrahimi and Lal Qila restaurants, which are presenting the Pakistani, mughlai and north Indian cuisine. These restaurants are good but not the best. They have some flaws, and second thing is that they are not covering the whole Asian community.

So still on both high-class and lower-class level we have opportunities to work out.

A.A.KHAN
About the Author: A.A.KHANI am a Restaurant & catering professional and I have good experience and exposure to the restaurant and hotel industry over the last 18 years (includi.. View More