Shams El-Mutwalli

DUBAI: Award-winning chef Reif Othman has opened a new hotspot called NOMANI in the UAE’s Sharjah that brings together Japanese and Korean culinary elements.

Owner/Chef & Founder of Hotaru Holdings, Reif opened another Japanese restaurant because it is a well-liked cuisine enjoyed by many, he also decided to tie in the Korean cuisine because it is “up and coming in the market,” he said.

Most of the Japanese dishes offered at NOMANI are infused with Korean ingredients, and prepared using a Korean approach, differing from his popular restaurant Reif Japanese Kushiyaki.

Reif admires the simplicity of Japanese cuisine, sharing how “the product itself speaks,” making it straightforward to prepare and consume.

There are various items on the menu including the Shrimp and Chicken Mandu, Bibimbap Wagyu, Raw salmon, Wagyu Galbi Sando, Kimchi Udon, there are also other items like various Maki rolls including Crab Avocado roll, Tuna Otoro roll, Softshell Crab roll, Beef Bulgogi, Prawn Tempura and more–NOMANI also incorporates premium Japanese ingredients and products.

The experience of eating at NOMANI is also enhanced by the overall atmosphere of the restaurant.

Reif told Arab News Japan, how he wanted the restaurant to be designed with a Japanese approach in mind, utilizing more space, and playing with materials like wood.

In Korea, “they always emphasize on green, red, pink—a little bit—and beige. So the colours are very unique.” At NOMANI, the colour red is prominently displayed but Chef Reif asserts how the curtains are “not red, it’s a very special red.”

In a similar way, the restaurant is equipped with intimate booths one of which is complemented by a wall adorned with a geisha inspired design—integrating Japanese features into the space.

The restaurant was also strategically placed in Sharjah’s hotel The Chedi Al Bait to appeal to the customer base there and offer them a quality dining experience, while also remaining in line with Reif’s unique culinary style.