Reif Othman brings his culinary prowess to Mirdif’s Nama Yōso

Nama Yōso is opening soon inside Mirdif Avenue Mall.

Reif Othman is a chef with the Midas Touch when it comes to all things culinary. With Japanese restaurants spanning the globe from Cairo to Dubai and consultancy gigs at some of the city’s hottest openings, including Black Flamingo, February 30, Nomani, and the newly opened Smokd Eatery, Othman is a culinary superstar on the rise.

Not content with resting on his laurels, Reif has now turned his attention to a new Japanese concept. Opening very soon in Mirdif Avenue Mall, Nama Yōso will bring a taste of Japan to the residential community of Mirdif, where the dining scene currently revolves around fast-casual eateries and international chains. 

Known for his unconventional approach to Japanese dining, Reif will lean firmly into the notion of Nama Yōso, which roughly translates as “raw elements” in Japanese. If the menu at the chef’s extremely popular Reif Japanese Kushiyaki is anything to go by, we can but hope for scintillating sushi and sashimi, in addition to tempting tiraditos.

While we don’t currently know what is on the menu, Reif tells FACT, “The mall is very nice, beautiful and modern. The food is going to be upper casual Japanese dining.”

The Instagram account for Nama Yōso currently showcases images of sharpened knives, Japanese calligraphy and the alluring topography of Mount Fiji. The captions offer a teaser of what we can expect from the soon-to-open Japanese restaurant: “Embark on a seafood adventure, with the precision of traditional Japanese knife craftsmanship.”

Mirdif is fast becoming a foodie hub. The residential area close to Dubai International Airport and Mushrif Park has been gaining culinary momentum with concepts such as Bosporus Turkish Cuisine, Hitchki Global Indian Restaurant, homegrown favourite Parkers, and the FACT Award-winning Pitfire Pizza all opening in the area.

As the city’s first self-funded chef come restaurateur, one thing’s for sure. We can’t wait to discover the art of Japanese cuisine crafted by FACT’s Chef of the Year 2022, the unimitable Reif Othman.

GO: Follow @namayoso on Instagram for more information.