Renowned celebrity Chef Kunal Kapur has solidified his culinary footprint in the UAE with the recent opening of his restaurant, Pincode, at The Galleria, Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi. This follows the success of the first restaurant he launched in Dubai Hills last year, offering a unique and vibrant dining experience.
Kapur feels the UAE has become a land of opportunity for everyone and Abu Dhabi, the financial capital, serves as the ideal location to expand his venture. In an interview with The Finance 360, he says, “It’s a natural progression. I feel that the UAE is a place to which people from all across the world are coming. It’s a lovely country for families, and in terms of the economy, it’s booming.”
He believes it’s the right time to establish Pincode’s presence in this region.
Speaking of the many restaurants now competing in the UAE market, Chef Kunal Kapur asserts that his current focus isn’t on quick returns.
“It’s a long game. Restaurants never cash out as soon as possible. They are a slow burn. You have to be invested in the thought, and the idea, and it’s going to take a while,” he says. Emphasizing on the fact that he’s very conscious of the quality of his dishes, Kapur is certain that the success of this venture won’t take long, as his team and he have a strong business sense.
Furthermore, despite the huge Indian expat community in the UAE, Kapur is adamant about not diluting or changing the dishes he brings from India, “barring, maybe, a little bit of seasoning.”
If you’re heading to Pincode Abu Dhabi, we suggest you try out the “Darjeeling Momos, Creamy Spinach and Burrata, Makhni Biryani, Dal Pakwan, and Tandoori Kebabs”. Kapur also recommends trying his favorites like “Dudwali Bread – basically, Milk Toast”, among others, which he aims to elevate to an international level.
Kapur’s confidence is centered around his 24 years of experience. He emphasizes the importance of investing time in training and developing a mix of experienced and young talent. He’s also excited to work with freshers, aiming to maintain a balanced team.
Kapur admits that the competition in the UAE is tougher now as the options are vast. But here’s how he brings in the uniqueness: “We bring a unique touch to Indian cuisine through our decor, concept, and dishes. While we offer classic curries and biryanis, we also experiment with lesser-known dishes from across India. We aim to introduce diners to these dishes, which are popular in India but may not be well-known here.”
He also reveals that he aims to become a solid brand in the UAE and is “not in a rush to expand to the Saudi market.” In fact, he believes there’s much more to “explore in other emirates like Sharjah”.
Lastly, he expresses absolute excitement, “a bit of anxiety with butterflies in the stomach,” and hopes all falls according to plan.
Pincode is a flagship restaurant by Chef Kunal Kapur, renowned for hosting and judging MasterChef India. The venture brings flavors from the north to the south, and east to the west, paying homage to the diversity of Indian cuisine.
