How Maki & Ramen Brought Soulful Japanese Dining to Dubai

Natasha Dury

There are restaurants that open with fanfare, and then there are brands that arrive with genuine soul. Maki & Ramen belongs firmly to the latter. When the celebrated UK-born Japanese dining concept opened its doors in Dubai, it immediately stood apart not because it tried too hard to impress, but because it understood something many modern restaurants forget: great food is ultimately about connection, comfort, and authenticity.

From the very first visit, there was an energy about the space that felt refreshingly unpretentious. Tucked within the Mövenpick Hotel in Jumeirah Village Triangle, the restaurant blends contemporary Japanese aesthetics with a warmth that feels welcoming rather than theatrical. Oak wood textures, soft lighting, and an understated design language create an atmosphere that invites diners to settle in rather than simply pass through.  

For me, it is the food that leaves the lasting impression and it is not only because my collegaues have crowned me the Ramen Queen of Dubai and I am biased towards this genre of food. I genuinely loved the food and also enjoyed the bowls that came ready to heat and eat at home after visiting the restaurant.

The ramen arrives rich, layered, and deeply comforting, carrying the kind of slow-cooked intensity that reveals itself spoonful after spoonful. The sushi feels vibrant and fresh without unnecessary complication, while dishes such as the Tan Tan Men and Salmon Teriyaki Roll showcase the balance between authenticity and broad appeal that has become central to the brand’s success.   The curry ramen, in particular, has become something of a signature, delivering bold flavour with remarkable depth.

What makes Maki & Ramen especially compelling is that its growth story never feels manufactured. Founded in Edinburgh as a modest 30-seat ramen bar, the brand has expanded into an 18-location restaurant group across the UK, with further growth already underway.   Yet despite its scale, the philosophy behind it remains rooted in accessibility and sincerity. The mission has always been clear: to make high-quality Japanese food approachable without compromising integrity.  

That philosophy becomes even more meaningful after meeting the man behind it in Dubai. Chef Teddy Lee is not simply a restaurateur chasing expansion. He is someone who built his understanding of hospitality from the ground up, beginning in his family’s Chinese restaurant before immersing himself in the discipline and precision of Japanese ramen culture.   His journey eventually took him to Tokyo, where he trained under Japanese masters and refined the craft that would later shape Maki & Ramen’s identity.  

What makes Teddy particularly inspiring is not only his work ethic, though stories of fourteen-hour days and relentless refinement speak volumes, but the clarity of his vision. He speaks about Japanese cuisine with reverence, yet without exclusivity. His belief that authentic food should never feel gatekept or intimidating resonates strongly in today’s dining landscape.  Meeting him in Dubai made it easy to understand why the brand has cultivated such loyalty.

Dubai’s dining scene is hardly short of spectacle, yet Maki & Ramen succeeds by focusing on something more enduring. It delivers flavour with honesty, hospitality with heart, and a dining experience that feels personal in an increasingly performative restaurant landscape. And sometimes, that is exactly what makes a restaurant unforgettable.