As part of a series of culinary guides to various areas of the UAE, The National explores Cluster Y in Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai, which, arguably, has one of the best ramens and burgers in the city.
Daikan Ramen
Diving straight into that ramen, Daikan is an unassuming-looking, 10-table restaurant that’s nearly always packed to the brim with discerning diners.
Most of them are there for the restaurant’s hearty and delicious ramen, of which it does six varieties – with a shio, miso or shoyu base, a choice between minced and chashu chicken, and a delicious ajitama egg. A vegetarian option comes with tofu, kikurage mushroom, bamboo shoot and baby corn.
Daikan, which has a branches in DIFC and Nakheel Mall, also does a mean pulled chicken bao and handmade gyoza.
The price point ranges from Dh22 to Dh65.
Open daily 11.30am to 11pm; Cluster Y mezzanine level, JLT; 04 876 8477
Maiz Tacos (and Good Burger)
From nomadic food truck to another of JLT’s always-packed restaurants, this home-grown Mexican concept has come a long way. It’s most famous for its moreish tacos – which, restaurant reviewer Matt Broderick tells The National, “are always freshly cooked and brimming with light, balanced flavours” – but also does burritos and quesadillas.
The founders of Maiz are also behind Good Burger, which is served in the same venue and is a veritable favourite among fans of the classic American dish.
On the menu you’ll find a number of chicken and beef options, including the buttermilk fried chicken sandwich, Nashville hot chicken sandwich, Bougie cheese burger, plus a veggie Portobello mushroom burger.
The restaurant offers indoor and outdoor seating, and its price point ranges from Dh25 to Dh65.
Open daily noon to 10pm Saturday to Wednesday, noon to 11pm on Thursday and Friday; Cluster Y lake level, JLT; 04 514 4712; maiztacos.com
Wok Box
Sharing a wall with Maiz Tacos, Wok Box is Cluster Y’s newest restaurant and taps into the city’s popular make-your-own-wok market. Here, you can throw in mixed veggies, rice or noodles, and meat or tofu into one of four flavourful sauces named after the city its ingredients are based on: Jakarta, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Korea.
Elsewhere on the menu are popular Asian fusion starters such as dynamite shrimp and chicken gyoza; tom yum and shoyo ramen soups; and mango sticky rice for dessert.
While the restaurant has both types of seating, the indoor doubles as the open-flame kitchen, so we recommend you sit outdoors if you’re visiting.
The price point ranges from Dh17 to Dh30.
Open daily noon to 11.30pm; Cluster Y lake level, JLT; 054 545 4560; order via Deliveroo
Indiana Delights
A restaurant that celebrates Diwali all year round, positively alight as it is with fairy lights, Indiana Delights is a go-to for comfort Indian food: think fresh, fluffy upma, four types of chicken tikka, buttery Indian breads, and all manner of egg, meat and veg curries.
Insider tip: the green chutney goes with nearly everything, but ask for the spice level to be tempered as per your taste.
The price point ranges from Dh21 to Dh50.
Open daily 10am to 11pm; Cluster Y mezzanine level, JLT; 04 360 3297; www.indianadelights.ae
Mezza Lebanese Kitchen
Serving Middle Eastern and Mediterranean classics, this restaurant is a popular delivery option among JLT’s commercial crowd. If you do visit, you’ll find a neat little space with clean lines, wooden accents and lake-view outdoor seating.
On the menu are some usual suspects – from fattoush and falafel to shawarma and shish taouk – as well as a section dedicated to authentic Greek food, from gyos to souvlaki. The spanakopita pie, tirokafteri feta dip and halloumi fries are especially good.
The price point ranges from Dh12 to Dh59.
Open daily 10am to 10pm Saturday to Wednesday, 10am to 11pm Friday and Saturday; Cluster Y mezzanine level, JLT; 04 554 5872; www.mezzalebanesekitchen.com/uae
Public Cafe
The tiniest eatery in Cluster Y boasts the most comprehensive menu. Ensconced within the lobby of Swiss Tower, this is a cafe, bakery and juice bar that serves delicious breakfast items, diverse salads and sandwiches, and hearty mains, plus teas, coffees, hot chocolate, milkshakes and plenty of fresh juices.
Depending on what time of day you visit (or order in), sample the open bacon and egg sandwich, steak salad with honey mustard sauce, spaghetti Bolognese or Caprese bagel. The bakery also does a selection of fresh cakes and croissants, while you’ll be spoilt for choice with the juice and smoothie blends: think green apple, grapefruit and mandarin; spinach, cucumber, ginger, rocket, green apple and pineapple; and banana, honey, butter biscuits and milk.
The price point ranges from Dh10 to Dh23 for beverages, and Dh18 to Dh64 for bites.
Open Saturday to Thursday 8am to 10pm; Cluster Y mezzanine level, JLT; 04 558 7358
Golden Shoe top five (as of March 1):
Harry Kane, Tottenham, Premier League, 24 goals, 48 points
Edinson Cavani, PSG, Ligue 1, 24 goals, 48 points
Ciro Immobile, Lazio, Serie A, 23 goals, 46 points
Mohamed Salah, Liverpool, Premier League, 23 goals, 46 points
Lionel Messi, Barcelona, La Liga, 22 goals, 44 points
How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now
Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.
The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.
1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):
a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33
b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.
2. For those who have worked more than five years
c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.
Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.
SPECS
Engine: 4-litre V8 twin-turbo
Power: 630hp
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic automatic
Price: From Dh599,000
On sale: Now
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Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
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Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
List of UAE medal winners
Gold
Faisal Al Ketbi (Open weight and 94kg)
Talib Al Kirbi (69kg)
Omar Al Fadhli (56kg)
Silver
Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)
Khalfan Belhol (85kg)
Zayed Al Mansoori (62kg)
Mouza Al Shamsi (49kg women)
Bronze
Yahia Mansour Al Hammadi (Open and 94kg)
Saood Al Hammadi (77kg)
Said Al Mazroui (62kg)
Obaid Al Nuaimi (56kg)
Bashayer Al Matrooshi (62kg women)
Reem Abdulkareem (45kg women)
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
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Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
How Filipinos in the UAE invest
A recent survey of 10,000 Filipino expatriates in the UAE found that 82 per cent have plans to invest, primarily in property. This is significantly higher than the 2014 poll showing only two out of 10 Filipinos planned to invest.
Fifty-five percent said they plan to invest in property, according to the poll conducted by the New Perspective Media Group, organiser of the Philippine Property and Investment Exhibition. Acquiring a franchised business or starting up a small business was preferred by 25 per cent and 15 per cent said they will invest in mutual funds. The rest said they are keen to invest in insurance (3 per cent) and gold (2 per cent).
Of the 5,500 respondents who preferred property as their primary investment, 54 per cent said they plan to make the purchase within the next year. Manila was the top location, preferred by 53 per cent.
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
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The biog
Name: Samar Frost
Born: Abu Dhabi
Hobbies: Singing, music and socialising with friends
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