Take a bite out of Central Asia
Dubai has a brand new spot for Uzbek food – SUPA Uzbek Culinary House has officially opened at Millennium Al Barsha, bringing traditional Central Asian cooking, relaxed hospitality and plenty of sharing dishes to the city.
Founded by restaurateurs Nodir Mahmud and Nodir Takhirov, SUPA takes its name from the traditional Uzbek supa, a raised platform found in homes and courtyards where families and friends gather to eat, drink tea and spend time together. The Dubai opening follows the concept’s success in Saudi Arabia.
The Menu
The menu is built around the Uzbek tradition of gathering around the table, with fire, freshly baked bread, handmade dough, seasonal ingredients and tea at its heart.
The grill takes centre stage, serving specialty kebabs and charcoal-grilled dishes alongside Uzbek favourites. There’s plov, a traditional rice dish layered with tender lamb, yellow carrots and barberries, as well as handmade shushvara dumplings served in a rich lamb broth.
Other dishes include steamed manti, freshly baked samsa and crispy lamb-filled cheburek. Guests can also tuck into Uzbek bread, colourful salads and desserts including Snow Dust Napoleon and saffron milk cake.
The Anatomy of Uzbek Dining
Hospitality makes a huge part of Uzbek dining culture. A whole system is in place to ensure that every guest feels as welcome as possible. These strong roots of etiquette come from the concept of mehmondonlik, meaning ‘a guest is a gift from God’, a concept that is engrained into every household.
At the centre of this concept is the dastarkhan – this is both the cloth spread out to set the meal as well as the gathering. At this dastarkhan, one might typically find non or bread, an almost sacred part of meal, and inherently designed for sharing and honouring.
There may also be green tea, or kok choy, poured in small quantities so that the host may have chance and chance again to serve you. Plov, a dish cooked to mark special occasions, is another symbol of the importance of community dining – a big pot, out of which the whole party eats.
Made For Lingering
The restaurant is designed to capture the warmth of Uzbek family dining. Aged wood, patterned tiles, natural materials and soft lighting create a contemporary yet homely setting, whether you’re stopping by for an everyday meal, gathering with family or settling in for a long evening over tea.
For co-founder and CEO Nodir Takhirov, the idea is rooted in memories of family lunches and dinners outdoors in Tashkent, gathered under an apricot tree. SUPA is now open for breakfast, lunch and dinner at Millennium Al Barsha, close to Mall of the Emirates, with valet parking available.
Sources: https://craftnculture.uz/blog/uzbek-hospitality-customs-guest-guide
Image credit: Supplied/https://www.pinterest.com/pin/877076096168364760/
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.
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