Located in the heart of Dubai’s bustling media and tech hub in Grand Plaza Mövenpick Media City, REN brings a fresh and exciting take on Nikkei cuisine to Dubai with its harmonious fusion of Latin American vibrancy and Japanese refinement.
REN’s ideology is to deliver fabulous food and delicious drinks in a relaxed-yet-sophisticated atmosphere, with a chilled out, welcoming vibe that feels like a second home.
At the helm of REN is Chef Luis Vargas who brings his extensive experience in Peru and Costa Rica to Dubai. Having honed his craft across some of the most prestigious kitchens in Latin America, Chef Luis’ influence is evident in REN’s bold, yet harmonious menu.
REN’s menu reflects a celebration of the best of two culinary worlds. Diners are invited to savour a range of signature dishes, including the Mixto Ceviche (avocado, grilled octopus, fried calamari, yellow leche de tigre) and Black Seafood Bomba Rice (Spanish bomba rice, seafood, coriander sauce, 159).
REN steps outside the norm with moreish dishes such as their Miso Eggplant Fries (fried eggplant, yuzu caramel, miso mayo), while their Salmon Arepa (raw salmon, arepa, guacamole, halloumi, lettuce, chalaquita) and the refreshing Tomato Salad (tomato, Japanese tahini, Colombian flatbread) showcase a creative take on the Nikkei genre.
When asked about the inspiration behind the menu, Chef Luis explained: “I wanted to create something that blends Latin flavours with Japanese techniques in a way that hasn’t been seen in Dubai before. For example, our Colombian arepa brings a dish to the table that’s both familiar and new to the region. We’ve also incorporated fermentation into the menu to bring out unique flavours that will evoke emotion for our guests. It’s a kitchen where we value freedom, but always with a focus on keeping everything fresh and delicious. It’s about cooking with love—just like our grandmothers did.”