Marugame Udon, Japan’s well-known Udon spot, has opened two more outlets in Dubai this month, one at Ibn Battuta Mall and the other BurJuman Mall.
Razeen Parambil, Founder and Director of Opal Food Concepts (owner of Marugame Udon brand in the UAE) shared exclusively to Arab News Japan the story and factors of opening their new branches.
“We’re incredibly excited to continue our growth in the UAE with the opening of our new locations at Ibn Battuta Mall and BurJuman Mall. The UAE has a vibrant food culture and we’ve seen a growing appreciation for authentic Japanese cuisine, especially comforting, freshly prepared meals.
“One of the reasons behind choosing these locations was to make Marugame Udon more accessible to our guests by bringing the brand closer to different communities across Dubai. Our menu is designed to cater to everyone, offering a wide variety of vegetarian, vegan and halal-certified non-vegetarian options, making it an inclusive dining destination for families and friends.
“As with any expansion, there are always operational and logistical challenges, but our focus has remained on delivering the same authentic experience and quality that guests know and love,” he added.
Parambil mentioned that response for the opening of the two new branches in Dubai has been extremely encouraging. “Within the first few days of opening, we saw long queues, particularly at our Ibn Battuta Mall location, which was wonderful to see. Guests have been enjoying not only the food but also the unique open-kitchen concept, where they can watch their udon being handcrafted and their tempura freshly prepared,” Parambil said.
“We’ve received fantastic feedback on the quality, freshness, quick service, and overall dining experience. It’s been rewarding to see both first-time visitors and returning customers embracing the brand.”
Marugame Udon’s first location in the UAE was opened last year at Deira City Centre in Dubai. It has performed consistently well and has helped establish Marugame Udon in the UAE market according to Parambil. “Over the past year, we’ve built a loyal customer base, with many guests returning regularly for their favorite dishes. The positive response gave us the confidence to expand further across Dubai. Reaching our one-year milestone and now opening additional locations is a testament to the support we’ve received from our customers,” Parambil said.
Parambil mentioned that they are excited to continue expanding Marugame Udon’s presence across the UAE.
“Following our newest openings at BurJuman Mall and Ibn Battuta Mall, we’ll soon be opening at Dubai Mall, Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi, and Dubai Expo City. Alongside our expansion, we’ll continue introducing new menu offerings while maintaining the authentic Japanese flavors that define Marugame Udon.
“Our menu already caters to a wide range of preferences with vegetarian, vegan, and halal-certified options, alongside our signature handcrafted udon and freshly made tempura,” Parambil said.