Watch Team Bocasu on the little screen
Dubai’s dining scene has seen its fair share of creative concepts, but a Japanese café in Al Quoz is taking brand storytelling to a whole new level. Dubai-born concept Bocasu has launched what it calls a global first in hospitality: a 10-part scripted comedy-drama series starring its real-life team, with no professional actors involved.
Filmed entirely in Dubai, BocaShow is inspired by the real journey of building the café. The narrative-driven series explores the ambition, creative clashes and cultural crossovers behind bringing the concept to life. Chef Yu Hasegawa, Isa and the wider Bocasu team play versions of themselves, blending structured storytelling with natural, unscripted chemistry.
The show captures the pressures and personalities involved in launching a new concept in Dubai, mixing light-hearted humour with more heartfelt moments. It’s an unconventional move that blurs the lines between hospitality and television, positioning the café as both a dining destination and a creative studio.
Season one also features guest appearances from high-profile figures including UFC coach Javier Mendez, MMA star Khabib Nurmagomedov and Emirati pro fighter Hadi Omar Al Hussaini, alongside a roster of entrepreneurs. New episodes drop weekly on YouTube every Thursday at 4pm, while diners can request private screenings in an upstairs viewing area at the venue.
Tucked away in Al Quoz, Bocasu is designed as a calm, immersive space centred on natural materials and layered textures. Stone and wood elements shape the minimalist interior, while a centuries-old bonsai tree – cared for daily for 250 years – greets guests at the entrance. A wider bonsai collection valued at more than AED 10 million is displayed throughout the two-floor venue.
The menu is led by Chef Yu Hasegawa, who brings more than two decades of experience across Hong Kong and New York. His cooking philosophy prioritises intention and clarity, with a tightly curated selection of dishes made using premium ingredients. Highlights include the signature Jawarma, a Middle Eastern favourite reimagined through a Japanese lens, fresh seafood hand rolls with individually flamed seaweed, and top-grade cuts such as Japanese A5 wagyu shabu and Japanese filet mignon.
Bocasu is open daily from 10am to 11.30pm, and until 10pm on Sundays, inviting guests to dine, unwind and now, tune in.
Image credit: SuppliedÂ
Curious, expressive, and always chasing new ideas, Zainab sees creativity as a way of life. She thrives on discovering new perspectives, connecting with people, and turning inspiration into something tangible. Her work and her world reflect a balance of intuition, imagination, and authenticity.
Contact me: zainab@nommemag.com
