Arab News Japan

DUBAI: It’s not every day that Japanese and Chinese cuisines intertwine, especially when Dubai’s participants are as iconic as Takahisa and San Wan Hand Pulled Noodles.

Takahisa is known for its opulent Omakase experience and epitomizes Japan’s commitment to quality. A5 Kobe beef with its buttery marbling, and seafood flown in from Tokyo’s Toyosu Fish Market, form the cornerstone of a menu that elevates dining to an art form.

In contrast, San Wan captures the soul of Northern Chinese Street food. Nestled in the UAE’s Dubai, this unassuming eatery is famed for its hand-pulled noodles—dishes as affordable as they are flavorful. San Wan’s offerings reflect the heart of Chinese cuisine: hearty, satisfying, and deeply rooted in tradition.

Chef Hadi Abbas, a maestro of authentic Shaanxi cuisine, preserves and elevates traditional flavors, making San Wan a beloved spot among Dubai’s food lovers.

On Sept. 7, Takahisa hosted a unique Omakase experience where luxury and street food find common ground.

Diners indulged in various flavorful dishes, such as San Wan’s signature noodles served with Kobe beef as well as TakaHisa’s signature abalone dish with oyster sauce and scallop dashi broth. TakaHisa also introduced their cold pasta special dish with truffle sauce, sea urchin, and caviar.

There was even a Chef’s special abalone creation—where the universally prized mollusc was delicately treated with a street-style twist. These dishes were part of Takahisa’s celebrated Omakase-style dining experience, offering a dining journey that pushes the boundaries of culinary creativity.

Other dishes included San Wan’s homemade pickled cucumber with Taka Hisa’s kabayaki sauce and wasabi vinegar, as well as Kobe beef with San Wan’s homemade gyoza skin in TakaHisa’s signature ramen soup. To cleanse their palates, guests concluded the experience with delicious yuzu vanilla macarons.     

If high-end dining isn’t your style, San Wan has you covered. From Sept. 9-16, the restaurant will serve a special à la carte menu featuring Monk Fish Liver Fried Rice, Kobe Beef Steamed Dumplings, Kobe Beef Fried Wontons, Stir-Fried Kobe Beef Noodles, and a Yuzu Macaron—bringing the collaboration’s spirit to life in an accessible format.