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.