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REIF Japanese Kushiyaki - Dar Wasl

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An unconventional Japanese concept by Chef Reif Othman, offering inventive kushiyaki, ramen, and more in an intimate setting.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
go for Sushi :)

REIF Japanese Kushiyaki - Dar Wasl

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

An unconventional Japanese concept by Chef Reif Othman, offering inventive kushiyaki, ramen, and more in an intimate setting.

"Incredible place for Japanese food with a focus on flavor and friendly service!"

TIP

Ask for Staff Recommendations

Staff can guide you to unique menu items and specials for a personalized experience.

Visit Off-Peak Hours

Consider dining during less busy times to avoid potential slow service.

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Quick Facts

Open·Closes 11PM

Cuisine

Japanese

Price

$$$

Address

Dar Wasl Mall, Al Wasl Rd, Al Wasl - Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Truffle Ramen

Truffle Ramen

Rich, creamy, and perfectly executed truffle ramen with chewy, soft noodles. A must-try hidden gem.

Google Review
Unique Kushiyaki Skewers

Unique Kushiyaki Skewers

Experience an array of innovative kushiyaki, from classic chicken and beef to adventurous options like escargot.

5 of the best Japanese restaurants in Dubai25 of the Best Restaurants In Dubai
Accommodating & Friendly Service

Accommodating & Friendly Service

Staff members like Jasim and Russel are consistently praised for their attentiveness, warmth, and exceptional service.

Google Review+5
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

E.A.T WITH MARWAN AT REIF KUSHIYAKI!!! Chef Marwan meets Chef Reif Othman at the Michelin-starred Reif Kushiyaki Restaurant in Dubai! 🌟🍣 Watch them cook up some delicious kushiyaki and share their culinary secrets. Chef Marwan is in Dubai at the award-winning Reif Kushiyaki Restaurant! Join him and Chef Reif Othman as they cook, chat, and enjoy some incredible dishes. 🍣✨ #ChefMarwan #sushi #Dubai...
@chefmarwansardouk
584 likes • 37.9K views

Ask for Staff Recommendations

Staff can guide you to unique menu items and specials for a personalized experience.

Visit Off-Peak Hours

Consider dining during less busy times to avoid potential slow service.

Would you try this? Reif Japanese Kushiyaki has launched a matcha duck ramen. Expect handmade noodles, creamy chicken and duck broth blended with Japanese matcha. This is only available until the end of the month at Dar Wasl and Dubai Hills Business Park. #dubai #matcha
@timeoutdubai
1K likes • 67.1K views
Reif kushiyaki comes through with a breakfast / brunch #wheretoeat #wheretoeatdubai #dubaibreakfast #dubaidining #indubai #sushi #dubaibrunch
@itsliamcollens
97 likes • 5.1K views

Make Reservations

To ensure you get a table at this popular spot, it's recommended to book in advance.

Spend the day with us at Reif. #fyp #foodreview #reifkushiyaki #tastetest
@fouuukass
198 likes • 6.9K views

Tips

from all over the internet

Ask for Staff Recommendations

Staff can guide you to unique menu items and specials for a personalized experience.

Visit Off-Peak Hours

Consider dining during less busy times to avoid potential slow service.

Make Reservations

To ensure you get a table at this popular spot, it's recommended to book in advance.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Diners rave about the delicious and inventive Japanese cuisine, with particular praise for the seabass, truffle ramen, and kushiyaki skewers. The warm and friendly service, especially from staff like Jasim and Russel, significantly enhances the dining experience. While some note a limited selection or higher price point, the overall consensus is a highly recommended spot for unique flavors and a great atmosphere.

"Really enjoyed my meal here. The seabass was the highlight — super fresh and full of flavor. The cauliflower was surprisingly amazing, cooked perfectly. Tried their ramen too and liked it. Great service and overall a solid experience."

Saraj Mohamad

"Now that it is summer, their Marsa pop up is closed. So we went at Reif Dar Wasl branch. Glad to see more choices in the menu and got to try more food.

Great tasting, yummy food and excellent service!😋❤️ totally enjoyed our dinner🫶🏻"

Marge Diaz

"Had an amazing dinner at Reif last night with 6 of us! The food was absolutely top-notch—every dish was delicious and perfectly executed. What made the experience even better was the incredible service. A special shout-out to Arsalan and Chathura, who were attentive, friendly, and went out of their way to make our night wonderful."

Wero We are hero

What People Like

Flavorful and inventive Japanese dishes
Exceptional, friendly, and attentive service
Cozy atmosphere and great ambiance

What People Dislike

Limited selection on certain menu items
Can be pricey

Frequently Asked Questions

Standout dishes include the truffle ramen, seabass, Warm Angus Beef Tataki, and various kushiyaki skewers.

17 Best Restaurants in DubaiGoogle Review+1

Yes, the staff, including Jasim and Russel, are consistently praised for being warm, friendly, and attentive.

Google Review+5

Yes, the restaurant is noted for having great vegan options.

Google Review

The restaurant offers a cozy and intimate setting, often described as having a great ambiance.

17 Best Restaurants in DubaiA Definitive List of the Best Japanese Restaurants in DubaiGoogle Review

The truffle ramen is highly recommended for its rich, creamy flavor and perfect noodles. However, one reviewer found it less memorable compared to other dishes.

Google Review+1

Yes, it is recommended to make reservations in advance to secure a table.

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Having led the kitchens of some of the city’s best-known restaurants, Reif Othman was at the forefront of Dubai’s chef-driven restaurant movement when he opened Reif Japanese Kushiyaki in Dar Al Wasl Mall in 2019. The restaurant, serving Asian-inspired izakaya-style small plates, became an anchor for the mall, which is now a hub for homegrown concepts. The intimate 30-seat space serves up big flavors, with dishes that have fostered a loyal following, including the pickled melon, grilled avocado, miso burrata, and Angus beef claypot rice.

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A new, edgy and affordable version of kushiyaki – the freshly-grilled, skewered meats inspired by Japanese robata restaurants – this cosy and casual eatery by former Zuma and Play Chef, Reif Othman, offers a family-style sharing concept showcasing affordable, unconventional Japanese street food served with Reif’s signature twist. From chicken to beef and everything in-between, the menu features everything from ramens and claypot rice to sushi and traditional Japanese desserts. Keep your eyes peeled for Reif’s special daily menu utilising seasonal ingredients from Japan.Reif Japanese Kushiyaki, Dar Wasl Mall, Jumeirah, Tel: (04) 255 5142.

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Explore an impressive menu that redefines the conventional ramen experience as you take a trip into the artistry of Japanese cuisine with a fusion of flavors. As Reif Japanese Kushiyaki is renowned for its skewers, Reif's ramen is a hidden gem on the menu. The family-style restaurant offers two ramen options alongside mouthwatering dishes like miso burrata and sushi, where Chef Reif Othman's innovative approach infuses traditional ramen elements, making it a must-try for those seeking an over-the-top dining adventure with the best noodles in Dubai.

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Joining the growing list of neighbourhood restaurants opening in the Dubai Hills villa community is Reif Japanese Kushiyaki. The second outpost of this popular homegrown Japanese restaurant, which opened in May 2023, comes with an alcohol licence, expanded menu and the inevitable evolution to brunch. Every Saturday and Sunday, its Buranchi Brunch delivers three hours of unlimited sashimi, nigiri and maki, as well as signature chicken and beef kushi dishes, to name a few, with an optional side of free flowing wines, beer and signature cocktails.

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From the glitz and glam of Zuma, Billionaire Mansion and PLAY, chef Reif Othman changed direction for his low-key, unlicensed kushiyaki bar in Jumeirah’s Dar Wasl Mall. Billed as “unconventional street food”, the chef promised that the “craziness” would be a thing of the past, and his food at this home-grown restaurant is simple and delicious. Kushiyaki – bamboo skewers common in Japanese and Singaporean street food – stars, as you’d expect, on this menu, with 14 versions from chicken to escargot.

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This unique Japanese hidden gem, from Chef Reif Othman, hosts a particular focus on every part of the chicken, from the neck to the tail, offering contemporary options for kushiyaki enthusiasts. It provides an exclusive chef's table menu with a delightfully crafted lunch menu. Furthermore, every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, customers can savour Chef Reif's rendition of "buranchi" during lunchtime and enjoy an unlimited variety of their preferred dishes for AED 238!

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If you haven’t been to Reif Kushiyaki yet—Chef Reif Othman’s beloved restaurant—make it a priority to plan your next meal at this no-frills spot in Dar Wasl Mall. Reif Kushiyaki feels like an extension of the founder himself, with playful Astro Boy decor scattered throughout, an open kitchen right in the center of the dining room, and him cooking and chatting with diners as if they were guests in his own home. But don’t be fooled—the food is the real star here.

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It goes without saying that Chef Reif Othman is well-known, as is his casual, home-grown restaurant in Dar Wasl Mall that serves economical, street food-style Japanese cuisine and is widely considered one of the greatest Japanese restaurants in Dubai. We’re sure you’ve seen his wagyu katsu sando with tonkatsu sauce all over Instagram, but there’s so much more to his menu than that. It offers a mishmash of Asian favourites served in a tiny, cosy setting.

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Founded by Chef Reif Othman, Reif Kushiyaki is an unconventional Japanese restaurant, devoted to the many different parts of the chicken – neck to tail. An edgy and affordable alternative to kushiyaki experiences, the restaurant also has a special daily menu and an exclusive chef’s table menu. Proudly homegrown, Reif Kushiyaki opened an outpost in Cairo last year, which was recently ranked no.45 in MENA’s 50 best, with future plans to open in Doha.

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