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Kinoya

Dubai

Dubai’s ramen queen goes from homegrown to Harrods

On the Pass

Neha Mishra

Humble beginnings: It all started with Chef Neha Misra’s love of Japanese food that eventually evolved into a supper club: A Story of Food was the constantly-sold-out experience she ran from her home in Dubai for a few years. Diners (virtually) jostled each other to get a seat at the table – including people who arrived from other countries – and soon, her table was simply not enough. In April 2021, she opened her first restaurant in Dubai.

What to expect? At Kinoya, it’s all about ramen and izakaya, but Misra’s speciality is the former. After all, thousands of people have watched her on her social platforms make noodles from scratch. So when you’re at Kinoya, try the shio paintan ramen: it’s the first bowl Misra made when she started creating and it’s definitely a signature. Another highlight is the wagyu tsukune – it has yet to disappoint.

What’s the vibe? Simplistic, but that’s all it’s meant to be. The interiors hark to a casual Japanese restaurant, from the main seating area and the private dining rooms to the ramen counter where lucky diners can get a view of Misra cooking right in front of them. People return to Kinoya for comfort and consistency – at a great price point.

Going global: The Middle East has loved what Kinoya has to offer and Misra hasn’t quite stopped there. Next on the cards is global expansion with the brand set to open in London’s Harrods.

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