Celebrating flavour, heritage and migration
Dubai’s dining scene is marking International Women’s Day with serious flavour. On March 8, Taqueria El Primo welcomes Chef Rita Soueidan of Maisan15 for a one-night-only Lebanese x Mexican collaboration that celebrates migration, memory and mouthwatering street food.
Available from 3pm until sold out, the four-hands menu brings together Chef Rita and El Primo’s chef-owner Jonathan Colin for a special that bridges Beirut and Mexico City via Dubai.
The Chicken Al Pastor
At the heart of the menu is a special edition Chicken Al Pastor – a dish with Lebanese roots that found fame in Mexico. Brought over by Lebanese immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, shawarma evolved into what we now know as tacos al pastor.
For this collaboration, the chefs reinterpret the classic with a herb and chipotle tarator (tahini), pickles, crispy fries and Chef Rita’s freshly made pita. It’s a layered, cross-cultural remix that feels right at home in a city built on global influences.
The Story of Chicken Al Pastor
The Story of Chicken Al Pastor
A study in migration, Chicken Al Pastor originates from a 1960s adaptation of Lebanese shawarma, brought to Puebla, Mexico, by immigrants in the early 20th century. The vertical spit roasting method was adapted into el trompo, or the spinning top.
“Mexicans and Lebanese have more in common than people think,” says Chef Jonathan Colin. “The Lebanese brought us shawarma when they immigrated to Mexico, and thanks to them, we now have Al Pastor today.”
Chef Rita adds that telling the story of how Lebanese food travelled and transformed across continents feels deeply personal. Expect a menu that’s as thoughtful as it is delicious.
More to Look Forward to
Dessert doesn’t hold back either. El Primo’s signature churros get a Levantine lift with cardamom, served alongside chilli chocolate and Hokkaido milk vanilla soft serve.
There’s also pumpkin seed tahini with sumac added to the complimentary salsas for an earthy kick, plus a hibiscus za’atar drink to round things off with a bright, aromatic flourish.
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Mexico City-born Jonathan Colin cut his teeth in kitchens across Mexico and the US before a move to the UAE in 2014 to help open Zuma Abu Dhabi. Seven years with LPM in Dubai, London and Hong Kong followed, shaping his style before he launched K’IIN Supperclub and later El Primo – a neighbourhood taquería rooted in community and culture.
Chef Rita Soueidan, Lebanese and Dubai-raised, is the Head Chef at Maisan15. Her cooking draws on Middle Eastern heritage and global travel, weaving together flavours and stories gathered from kitchens around the world. Every dish reflects movement, identity and curiosity.
@taqueria_elprimo_dubai, @maisan15
Image credit: Supplied/Pinterest
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
