



DUBAI: Japanese restaurant in Dubai, Maru Udon, is holding a special pop-up event titled “YUME RAMEN” from Dec. 3 to 13 that features a tasty menu for Japanese food lovers in the UAE.
“25Hours Hotel kindly approached our head chef Shinya Hongo with an expression of interest for us to participate in their Nomad Bar popup event,” Christopher Gunson, owner of Maru Udon, told Arab News Japan.
About the challenges or arranging the YUME RAMEN Pop-up event, Gunson said: “Our main product—udon—is really not ideal for events because udon noodle cooking time is 10-12 minutes, and it requires a powerful boiler. Ramen noodles can be cooked quicker, and the product also has much wider familiarity. This is why YUME RAMEN is our ramen brand for pop-ups.”
“Winter season is the peak event season for Dubai. We are approached to participate in about 20-30 events every season, but we really only have capacity for a few events. So, we have to pick carefully. Thanks to Hongo and the great staff, we can now deploy and execute very quickly and effectively,” he added.
About the response and feedback from the people who tried the food, Gunson said, “Feedback has been very positive. Customer demand far outpaced (by three times) what we were told to anticipate, and Hongo and team had to make multiple heroic refill trips at short notice because we ran short of noodles and supplies on several occasions.”
Hongo brings a wealth of global experience to Dubai, having previously lived in Japan, India, Hawaii, and China. With over two decades of expertise in Japanese cuisine and the food industry, he has been at the helm of Maru Udon as head chef since its inception in 2020, playing a pivotal role in shaping its identity and success. His international experience makes him key in leading the brand’s multicultural team.