Officials pose for the media during the launch of the Mumbai Spices restaurant in Dubai. Kamal Kassim / Gulf Today

Jamil Khan, Senior Reporter

Expatriates especially from India are enthralled that this year the Republic Day celebrations are expanded to month-long food festival announced by street-food major Mumbai Spices launching ‘Biriyani & Chaat’ Festival.

The month-long festival was announced to commemorate the 73rd India Republic Day on Jan.26, 2022. With this unique theme, the restaurant captures the essence of street food varieties from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.

Mumbai Spices, specialised in offering a diverse range of Indian street foods at its multiple outlets across Bahrain and Qatar for more than a decade, is now foraying to the UAE after signing a joint venture agreement with Dubai-based Bronet Group.

Commenting on the restaurant launch, Abdul Rasheed Puthusseri, Founder of Mumbai Spices, said, “We are proud to officially begin our operations in the UAE on the eve of the 73rd India Republic Day. We are opening our first outlet in Karama, the heart of Dubai for the residents to walk-in and savor the delectable Indian street food. We have emerged as a popular culinary destination for Indian expatriates and non-expatriates alike in other Gulf countries and coming to the UAE with that tremendous value.”

“The vibrant design and ambience of the restaurant has been set to uphold the diverse cultures of India and a menu that houses over 10 varieties of Biryanis and countless varieties of Chaat dishes from all over India. Our humble effort is to bring you the authentic Mumbai experience where every flavor is carefully curated to take you through a stroll on the streets of Mumbai that makes any stranger feel at home,” he added.

Chef Harabilasha Panigrahi Gobind Chandra Panigrahi, Gobal Operations Director at Mumbai Spices, said, “We are `cooking up the delicious `Biriyani & Chaat’ fair for Indophiles and Indian expatriates of the UAE for a month starting from tomorrow. Biriyani and Chaat lovers can savor the dishes prepared by our passionate expert chefs for a month.”

“Biriyani and Chaat were two culinary genres in India that has been elevated to universal recipes over the decades and enjoyed by a global audience across the world. We thought that these two dishes could be the defining symbols of India on the Republic Day,” he added.

Shadh Haris, Managing Director of Mumbai Spices, said, “Dubai, being a cosmopolitan hub with a multinational audience with ardent affinity to Indian foods, Chaat and Biriyani certainly are the right dishes to mark the Indian Republic Day. Our endeavor is to serve them the diversity of Indian street foods in the most authentic way.”

However, MyGovinda’s, known for its holistic and healthy vegan and vegetarian food in the UAE since 2001 is now closer to New Dubai residents with their latest restaurant in Jumeirah Lakes Towers. Spread over the stunning lakeside, this branch marks as their 3rd restaurant in the UAE with operating hours from 8 am to 12 am.

Commenting on the launch, Mahesh Advani, Founder and Owner say, “For the past 20 years we are spreading our love for vegan and vegetarian food with our first location in Karama; our customers have repeatedly asked us to open a branch in New Dubai. Today with the launch of the JLT branch, we are very much aligned with our vision to offer Sattvic food closer to everyone’s homes. As of 2021, we have also introduced authentic Indian sweets at all our branches; beautifully packaged in luxurious gift boxes extending the MyGovinda’s experience for all occasions.”