Shams El -Mutwalli, Dubai 

Daikan is a ramen joint with two branches in Dubai, UAE. The restaurant has an authentic appreciation for Japanese cuisine made evident by their rich tasting ramen bowls.

Daikan has operated as a dine-in restaurant since its launch, but it quickly had to redirect to delivery in order to survive the onslaught of the outbreak.

“In times like these you’ve got to be agile to such rapid changes. Our takeaway ramen kit was quickly introduced to cater to our regulars in lockdown at home during the #StayHome mandate” said founder and CEO, Salih Elmascan.

The three-step ramen kit includes all the ingredients needed and instructions on how to make it, ensuring their loyal customer still have access to the ramen they know and love.

The package includes a sealed bag containing separated broth and noodles, and individual bowls for the toppings— the broth differs based on the type of ramen chosen. Due to ramen being temperature sensitive, the broth and the noodles are separated to ensure the ramen can be cooked and eaten within a timely manner to maintain its overall quality and freshness.

This method of delivery also gives customers flexibility in deciding when to cook their ramen as the kits can be refrigerated and stored for up to 2-3 days.

These kits were welcomed amongst the ramen lover community resulting in their continued availability despite the lockdown coming to an end.

Now, Daikan operates for both dine-in and delivery, and abides by all the health and safety precautions issued by the Dubai Municipality, including: wearing protective masks, gloves, and sanitizing upon entry and exit.

Daikan started off in Cologne, Germany as a family-run ramen concept. Elmascan brothers, Salih and Bilal, are the brains and heart behind it all, and although they are of German, Kurdish descent they have a bonafide connection with Japanese culture.  

While food has always been a passion for both brothers, Salih’s fascination with Asian cuisine began when he ventured to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to study—paving way for his love of ramen.

This love was fortified when Salih’s visit to Tokyo, Japan put him in contact with Ramen connoisseur, Yoshiyuki Okada, who owned a punk-rock izakaya. This meeting inspired the rest of the Elmascan culinary journey and ultimately led to the opening of his izakaya (meaning tavern in Japanese), Daikan, in Cologne.

“At the time, there was a demand for a Halal version of Ramen. It didn’t exist in Germany” said Salih Elmascan.

The move from Germany to the UAE was rooted in the Elmascan’s desire to bring their Halal ramen concept to the Dubai food scene and test its success.

Ramen represents more than just a food item to the duo, and instead, encapsulates the intricacy and depth of Japanese culture.

“In Tokyo, ramen is not fast food; it’s an art form that involves a complex layering of flavors. There are hundreds of different versions of broths, noodles, ingredients, ratios etc. In the end there are no rules when it comes to ramen. There are endless possibilities” said Elmascan.

This underlying belief has proved to be the driving force behind the Daikan concept, and its overall longevity— even when faced with a situation as drastic as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the hurdles they’ve faced, the Daikan brothers demonstrate the same resilience as their renowned ramen, constantly looking to grow and expand.

They have also expressed interest in making a breakthrough in Saudi Arabia.  

“We would definitely consider expanding into KSA, if the opportunity presents itself” as “we believe food brings communities together, so our goal is to share what we do with the UAE and the wider Middle East region” said Salih Elmascan.