Faris Alrushud

RIYADH: Rowaida Fuad Oudah is the first Saudi-based person to make bento in Saudi Arabia. Based in Jeddah, Oudah started her cooking business five years ago on Instagram, aside from her work as a freelancer graphic designer and conducted three cooking workshops in Jeddah plus Japanese language lessons.

Oudah, who is Palestinian, spoke to Arab News Japan about her love of Japanese culture since 2006, saying she was impressed by the Japanese manners and dedications. She said she enjoys watching Japanese TV shows and dramas that introduce food like “Smap X Smap”, “Chubaw desu yo!” etc.

Oudah explained that she found herself attracted to dishes with colorful and beautiful details since she was 15 years old, which developed her passion for cooking and art and learned the Japanese cuisine from books, YouTube, friends, as she learned Japanese Language in Dar Al-Hekma University and made Japanese friends that helped her to know more about the Japanese cooking. She said that her favorite dish is Okonomiyaki (Cabbage Pancake).

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She told Arab News Japan that her first online shop Sakura Topia is considered the largest on Instagram business offering Japanese and Korean cuisine with more than 60 dishes, including desserts. It is the first to sell Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki in Jeddah, even before restaurants. It is also the only place where Japanese desserts like Daifuku and Taiyaki can be found.

Oudah also opened different shop, “Momochi,” which specializes in Japanese Daifuku only. After many trials, she got her perfect recipe and now she considered herself as an expert.

She said started making bento after she got featured in Destination and Design magazines. Oudah said she thinks that making bento is like graphic designing and that each bento is made to deliver a certain message. She uses alternative tools and substitute ingredients to be like to the ones in Japan, but she still imports the mochi’s ingredients from Japan.

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One of her bento dishes was featured on NHK World TV as the most popular last year (Bento expo first feature). She was the only participant and winner from Saudi Arabia for the first time and appeared in TV shows in Rotana Khalijia channel, with NHK world introducing her bento boxes wearing a Kimono.

She also stated that her customers supported and recommended her dishes to others. Customers who have tried the same dishes in Japan stated that Rowaida’s dishes taste original like daifuku. Also, she makes sure to introduce the ingredients in detail to encourage her customers to try it.

Rowaida dreams to have her own TV cooking show on a famous TV channel like MBC wearing yukata (Japanese summer wear) to share her experience as self-taught chef and she wishes to have her own shop in Jeddah.