Nestled in the heart of bustling Business Bay is Kimchi Nom Nom, a cloud kitchen launched in January. Its menu takes diners on a culinary journey through the vibrant streets of Seoul and, as the name suggests, kimchi is a part of a variety of dishes.
However, the real highlight of Kimchi Nom Nom – which regularly caters to educational institutions, including Khalifa and Zayed Universities, and events, particularly K-pop gatherings – is the renowned chef behind the brand. Maha Nakli brings 27 years of culinary expertise and is celebrated for her innovative dishes.
“From curating experiences for elite London clientele, I have transitioned to a private freelance chef in Dubai's luxurious communities where I am the orchestrator of opulent gastronomic experiences,” Nakli tells The National.
Fusion of interests
The chef was also part of the cooking segment on the popular MBC morning show Sabah Il Khair Ya Arab for three years. One might wonder how Nakli, who is originally from Syria and has an Italian passport, mastered Korean cuisine. “I am fuelled by an insatiable passion for Korean culinary traditions,” she says. “Kimchi Nom Nom is not just a kitchen, it's an invitation to savour the magic when experience and passion meet on the plate.”
Nakli’s right hand and partner is chef Hye Yeon Lee, who grew up on Korean food. “As an international student surviving in foreign countries, I struggled to find home-flavoured food,” Lee says. “However, a trip to Turkey led me to a small, authentic Korean restaurant in Istanbul, reminiscent of my grandmother's cooking.
“This encounter fuelled a dream to open a restaurant that offers genuine, unaltered flavours that evoke a sense of home.”
For all that, Kimchi Nom Nom has several fusion dishes on its menu. Think beef bulgogi tacos, kimchi fried rice burritos and cheese corndogs.
Although the bulgogi is on the sweeter side for my taste buds, the tender meat pairs perfectly with the taco. As a burrito fan, the kimchi fried rice version is mouthwatering and offers a satisfying crunch and a perfect blend of spicy and savoury flavours. The cheese corndog is another standout, with its crispy exterior and gooey cheese providing a deliciously indulgent treat.
“Fusion cuisine allows us to experiment and create innovative dishes that offer new and exciting flavour combinations, appealing to adventurous eaters,” says Nakli.
If your tastes are a bit more traditional, here are three dishes to try that still benefit from Nakli's tweaks.
Tteokbokki rice cake
A blend of rice cake, fish cake and cream sauce, this tastes like traditional tteokbokki, but the added cream balances the spiciness perfectly. The cream also adds a thick texture that complements the chewy rice cakes and the savoury fish cakes, creating a blend of flavours.
The restaurant’s take on this classic dish is a comforting, hearty option that showcases the chef's ability to innovate while staying true to authentic Korean flavours.
Beef bulgogi bento
For those seeking a variety of dishes on one plate, the bento box might be a good option. It includes bulgogi, two types of kimchi, rice, egg rolls, salad and kimbap.
A unique element in this dish is the salad, a refreshing twist to the traditional Korean lunch box. Although salads are usually the last thing I would reach for in a meal, this one is served to clear the palate after every bite.
The kimchi-heavy box is perfect for fans of the fermented vegetable dish. “It is renowned for its tangy, spicy and umami-rich flavours,” explains Nakli. “As such, it adds depth and zing to any dish, making it more exciting and delicious.”
Kimbap ‘triangle’ rice balls
If, like me, you are a fan of K-dramas and variety shows, where characters often pop into stores to grab banana milk and kimbap, Kimchi Nom Nom's “triangle” kimbap is one dish you'll definitely want to try. While the packaging can be tricky to open, the taste is exactly as you'd imagine. The seaweed, rice, mayo and tuna blend make for a beautifully satisfying treat.
Catering to all requirements
While meat lovers can indulge in bulgogi and braised short ribs, and seafood enthusiasts have seafood pancakes and kimchi jjigae with tuna, Kimchi Nom Nom even has vegetarians and vegans covered. Enjoy customisable bibimbap, glass noodles, kimbap, kimchi fried rice, kimchi jjigae and even vegan tteokbokki.
“Adaptability is key to our success. We stay agile by closely monitoring market trends and proactively responding to evolving needs,” says Nakli. It is little wonder, then, that Kimchi Nom Nom is set to evolve from a delivery-only kitchen to a space with outdoor seating come winter.
Brief scoreline:
Manchester United 2
Rashford 28', Martial 72'
Watford 1
Doucoure 90'
The specs
Engine: 5.2-litre V10
Power: 640hp at 8,000rpm
Torque: 565Nm at 6,500rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: From Dh1 million
On sale: Q3 or Q4 2022
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
Profile of Hala Insurance
Date Started: September 2018
Founders: Walid and Karim Dib
Based: Abu Dhabi
Employees: Nine
Amount raised: $1.2 million
Funders: Oman Technology Fund, AB Accelerator, 500 Startups, private backers
The specs: Fenyr SuperSport
Price, base: Dh5.1 million
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 800hp @ 7,100pm
Torque: 980Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 13.5L / 100km
Brief scoreline:
Toss: South Africa, elected to bowl first
England (311-8): Stokes 89, Morgan 57, Roy 54, Root 51; Ngidi 3-66
South Africa (207): De Kock 68, Van der Dussen 50; Archer 3-27, Stokes 2-12
Liverpool's all-time goalscorers
Ian Rush 339
Roger Hunt 280
Mohamed Salah 250
Gordon Hodgson 225
Billy Liddell 220
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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SPECS
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 268hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 380Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: CVT auto
Fuel consumption: 9.5L/100km
On sale: now
Price: from Dh195,000
Rooney's club record
At Everton Appearances: 77; Goals: 17
At Manchester United Appearances: 559; Goals: 253
Mia Man’s tips for fermentation
- Start with a simple recipe such as yogurt or sauerkraut
- Keep your hands and kitchen tools clean. Sanitize knives, cutting boards, tongs and storage jars with boiling water before you start.
- Mold is bad: the colour pink is a sign of mold. If yogurt turns pink as it ferments, you need to discard it and start again. For kraut, if you remove the top leaves and see any sign of mold, you should discard the batch.
- Always use clean, closed, airtight lids and containers such as mason jars when fermenting yogurt and kraut. Keep the lid closed to prevent insects and contaminants from getting in.
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Ukraine 2 (Yaremchuk 06', Yarmolenko 27')
Portugal 1 (Ronaldo 72' pen)
Bio
Born in Dubai in 1994
Her father is a retired Emirati police officer and her mother is originally from Kuwait
She Graduated from the American University of Sharjah in 2015 and is currently working on her Masters in Communication from the University of Sharjah.
Her favourite film is Pacific Rim, directed by Guillermo del Toro
Gran Gala del Calcio 2019 winners
Best Player: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
Best Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta)
Best Referee: Gianluca Rocchi
Best Goal: Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria vs Napoli)
Best Team: Atalanta
Best XI: Samir Handanovic (Inter); Aleksandar Kolarov (Roma), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli), Joao Cancelo (Juventus*); Miralem Pjanic (Juventus), Josip Ilicic (Atalanta), Nicolo Barella (Cagliari*); Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria), Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Duvan Zapata (Atalanta)
Serie B Best Young Player: Sandro Tonali (Brescia)
Best Women’s Goal: Thaisa (Milan vs Juventus)
Best Women’s Player: Manuela Giugliano (Milan)
Best Women’s XI: Laura Giuliani (Milan); Alia Guagni (Fiorentina), Sara Gama (Juventus), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Elisa Bartoli (Roma); Aurora Galli (Juventus), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus); Valentina Giacinti (Milan), Ilaria Mauro (Fiorentina), Barbara Bonansea (Juventus)
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – UAE won by 36 runs
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
