Shinobi focuses on made-to-order handrolls, warm rice, crisp nori and premium seafood.
The wider menu includes nigiri, sashimi, tacos, salads, hot dishes and desserts.
Music, street culture, house-made drinks and DJ sessions form part of the experience.
The new Dubai restaurant combines Tokyo-style precision, New York energy and made-to-order handrolls.
Dubai’s dining scene is never short of new arrivals, but Shinobi is bringing a sharper edge to Al Wasl Road with a handroll bar shaped by Tokyo precision, New York energy and street culture. Rather than leaning into the formality often associated with Japanese dining, Shinobi appears to be chasing something more atmospheric and immediate, with a mood shaped as much by the soundtrack and setting as the handrolls themselves.
Shinobi Handroll Bar draws inspiration from three very different cities. There is the precision of Tokyo, the grit of New York and the pulse of the subway, all filtered through a distinctly Dubai lens. Industrial features punctuate the space, from tiling and brickwork to a small merch store. At the centre of it all sits the U-shaped counter, where diners can watch the chefs at work as they produce premium, made-to-order handrolls. Though what’s on the menu is still to be revealed.
Positioned as a premium casual Japanese dining destination, Shinobi centres its menu around made-to-order handrolls. The focus is on warm rice, crisp nori and high-quality seafood sourced from around the world. The concept has been developed by chefs with experience at Nobu, bringing a strong culinary foundation to a format that feels relaxed, modern and accessible.
While handrolls sit at the heart of the restaurant, the menu goes further. Diners will also find nigiri, sashimi, tacos, salads, hot dishes and desserts, creating a broader take on Japanese dining that works for a quick bite, a casual dinner or a longer evening out.
The drinks menu follows the same approach. House-made sodas and kombuchas will be served alongside a concise selection of coffee and tea. The aim is to offer refreshing, easy-drinking options that complement the food without overcomplicating the experience.
Shinobi has been designed as more than a place to eat. Music, art, fashion and street culture all help shape the venue’s mood. Taking cues from the streets of New York and Tokyo, the interiors feature bold visual details including illuminated signage, a wall of Funko figurines, hip-hop posters, graffiti artworks and a private dining room that resembles the inside of a New York subway train.
Music plays a central role in Shinobi’s identity. Playlists will move between old-school hip-hop and contemporary sounds, supported by a state-of-the-art sound system. Curated DJ sessions will also bring added energy to the venue on selected nights.
Dubai-based Monarch Hospitality Group is behind the concept and Shinobi joins a growing portfolio that already shows a clear appetite for concept-led storytelling. Monarch’s seafood restaurant, Kraken, is rooted in Dubai’s fishing heritage and places heavy emphasis on provenance, sourcing more than 70 per cent of its ingredients locally and preparing line-caught seafood using the ikejime technique. Elsewhere, Mamati is a modern Moroccan eatery inspired by traditional mahlaba dairy shops, blending street culture, local art and a neighbourhood feel.
Shinobi arrives at a moment when handrolls are enjoying real momentum in Dubai. What once felt like a niche format has quickly become one of the city’s more compelling dining trends, driven by the success of concepts such as Kokoro, widely billed as Dubai’s first dedicated handroll bar, and Yubi. More recent additions, including Tezukuri in Downtown Dubai, show that diners are increasingly drawn to the format’s mix of precision, immediacy and informality, making the market feel primed for a concept with a sharper cultural edge.
Where: Shinobi Handroll Bar, Villa 8, Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah, Dubai
When: Daily from 12pm to 11pm
Contact: @shinobidubai