Beyond Dishoom: Chef Naved's culinary journey to Khadak Dubai

Emirates Man
by Sarah Joseph
25 seconds ago
Born to bring forgotten Indian recipes to the forefront, Chef Naved Nasir is the brainchild behind Dubai's Khadak.
Behind the highly sought-after Dishoom in London, he opened his first restaurant in Dubai to bring a casual Indian dining experience deeply rooted in tradition.
To provide that depth artists flown in from India have added a unique layer to Khadak's design. Here each piece of art tells its own story, transporting diners to India. Beyond the food, Khadak's space is infused with a narrative that celebrates the vibrant cultures of India, merging artistic expressions with culinary heritage.
Situated in Jumeirah, the menu showcases rarely-seen recipes in a new light, with his expertise in the world of food. To delve into Chef Naved's story, Emirates Man sat down with him to see how Khadak's making its mark in the UAE. Talk us through your background.
I've spent much of my career introducing Indian cuisine to a global audience, most notably as Chef Director at Dishoom in London. Before that, I trained at the iconic Bukhara in New Delhi and had the privilege of working under the late Chef Imtiaz Qureshi in Mumbai. For me, food has always gone beyond taste—it's about storytelling, evoking nostalgia, and bringing people together around a shared experience. What inspired you to launch Khadak in Dubai?
Dubai felt like the right place to revive and share the stories of India's forgotten food culture. With Khadak, I wanted to go beyond the expected—to bring back lost recipes, age-old techniques, and the spirit of iconic food streets across India. It's about presenting these bold, nostalgic flavors with care and intention, in a city that truly celebrates culinary storytelling.
How did you adapt Dishoom's success formula for the Dubai audience while keeping Khadak unique?
I never intended to replicate Dishoom. What resonated in London wouldn't necessarily translate here. Dubai has a rich love for Indian food, but I felt there was space to spotlight lesser-known culinary traditions. Khadak brings forward forgotten recipes, cooked with grit and fire, in a space that feels warm yet refreshingly distinctive. Our dishes and interiors pay tribute to the iconic food shops in India. This was important to us as many have weathered decades of change while holding onto their originality. How do you weave storytelling into the dining experience at Khadak Dubai?
Every dish at Khadak has a story. Take our Shabrati Nihari—it's inspired by how nihari was traditionally slow-cooked overnight and served at dawn to both laborers and nawabs. The dish nods to Haji Shabrati in Old Delhi. Our Shami Kebab honors the legendary Noor Mohammadi in Mumbai's Bhendi Bazaar, a restaurant with a history of over 100 years. These aren't just recipes—they're cultural touchstones revived on the plate.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Khadak (@khadak_ae) What are some of the key dishes to try at the restaurant?
The Khadak Daal is definitely a highlight, it's slow-cooked for hours to develop a rich, smoky depth. The Shabrati Nihari is indulgent yet balanced, with melt-in-your-mouth meat in a deeply aromatic broth. Our Morel Cheese Kulcha is crisp on the outside and filled with umami-packed morels, herbs, and cheese. The Jackfruit Haleem is another standout—luxuriously slow-cooked with an unexpected hero ingredient. What were some of the most fascinating forgotten Indian recipes you uncovered while researching for Khadak?
One that truly stood out was a Rampuri-style Moong Dal Gosht—my personal favorite, and a treasured family recipe. There's only one aunt left in my family who still knows how to prepare it. We've revived it at Khadak using slow-cooked goat shanks, green moong dal, and a unique blend of spices that's true to its heritage.
'Khadak is designed to feel like home – warm, soulful, and full of character.' How do you balance nostalgia with innovation when reintroducing old dishes in a modern setting?
Innovation for me isn't about deconstructing dishes into something unrecognisable. It's about respecting tradition while refining technique, sourcing better ingredients, and deepening flavour. Nostalgia forms the foundation, but we build upon it through thoughtful execution. For instance, our reimagined Broccoli Bhel combines a street-favourite puffed rice dish with broccoli and nuts. Or take the Uthappam on our breakfast menu – it blends the classic with the freshness of avocado toast, creating a dish that feels both familiar and new. What role does the design and ambiance of Khadak play in making these forgotten dishes more appealing to a global audience?
Khadak is designed to feel like home- warm, soulful, and full of character. From the woodwork to the tiles, from the soft lighting to the nostalgic details and murals, everything is carefully chosen to evoke a sense of belonging. The artwork on our walls tells its own story, drawing from the lost art of Daastangoi. My favorite spot is our cozy veranda, wrapped in bougainvillea, lime, and other plants, perfect for a quiet breakfast of bun maska and Irani chai. What's your take on the evolving perception of Indian cuisine in the UAE?
Indian food has always been respected here, but the perception is evolving. Diners are now more curious—interested in regional specialties, lesser-known techniques, and flavors that go beyond just heat. There's a hunger for depth and storytelling, and that's a very promising shift. How does Khadak aim to shape the future of Indian dining in Dubai?
We want people to rethink what Indian food can be. Not just what's familiar, but what's been forgotten—or never discovered. Khadak is not about being revolutionary; it's about reviving lost traditions and reimagining them with care. If we can spark a deeper connection to Indian cuisine, then we're doing something meaningful. – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
Images: Supplied & Feature Image: Instagram @khadak

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Emirates Woman

12 hours ago

• Emirates Woman

8 celebrity dads who prove fatherhood is their favorite role

Life by Team Emirates Woman June 20, 2025 With Father's Day takes place on June 21, we thought it was only fitting to take a look at some of the most doting dads out there. Sheikh Hamdan View this post on Instagram His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, is the epitome of a doting dad to his one-year-old twins Rashid and Sheikha. His Highness welcomed the twins in May 2021 and over the last year he has shared snippets of the growing little ones on social media. From travels abroad to trips to see the giraffes to passing down his love for horses, Sheikh Hamdan has taken to fatherhood seamlessly. Khalid Al Ameri Known as an avid storyteller, Emirati content creator Khalid Al Ameri regularly shares tidbits about his life, particularly about his two children Khalifa and Abdullah. Al Ameri has previously opened up about his youngest son Abdullah's autism, revealing it changed him for the better in a heartfelt video, which was originally posted to his YouTube channel in 2019. 'He looks at the world differently — the focus he has and the way he cares about things he loves has changed me,' Al Ameri says in the video. 'It has changed me as a father and it has changed me as a human being.' Mohamed Hadid View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mohamedhadid. (@mohamedhadid) Mohamed Hadid is famous for his real estate, where he builds luxury hotels and mansions in Bel Air and Beverly Hills. However, he is perhaps better known as father to Anwar, Gigi, Bella, Marielle and Alana. This celebrity dad is constantly posting about his children, making it very clear how proud he is of their achievements on his Instagram. Ali F. Mostafa View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ali F. Mostafa (@alimostafa) British-Emirati filmmaker Ali F. Mostafa has had great success within the movie industry. However, he's also a doting dad to his three children Ayah, Faisal and Zayed. John Legend View this post on Instagram A post shared by John Legend (@johnlegend) Father to Luna and Miles, John Legend is one of the most doting dads out there. Raising his two children with his wife Chrissy Teigen, Legend is frequently captured wearing matching outfits with his son Miles and treating his daughter to a birthday at Disneyland. David Beckham View this post on Instagram A post shared by David Beckham (@davidbeckham) Former professional footballer David Beckham adores his four children; Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz and Harper-Seven. The famous family are renowned across the world for their close family dynamics, regularly sharing snippets into their family life on Instagram. Elias Bakhazi Husband to Karen Wazen and father to George, Karile and Kay, Elias Bakhazi always puts his children first. On Instagram, his bio reads 'Proud Daddy and Husband' showing just how important his three children and family are to him. Will Smith View this post on Instagram A post shared by Will Smith (@willsmith) Father to Trey, Jaden and Willow, Will Smith is very close with his children as they frequently accompany him to movie premieres to show support for their father. – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram Feature Image: Instagram @eliasbakhazi

Campaign ME

14 hours ago

• Campaign ME

Marketing global events to audiences in the Middle East

Global live entertainment was no longer testing the waters in the Middle East. With major international live events coming to markets like the UAE and Saudi Arabia, regional audiences are showing up and selling out arenas and stadiums across the Middle East. This month, Proactive Entertainment has brought the internationally renowned musical Mamma Mia! to Abu Dhabi in the UAE. Taking over Etihad Arena on Yas Island from June 11 to 22, the event has hosted thousands of theatre fans. Jose Cuervo, Middle East Regional Director at Proactive Entertainment speaks to Campaign Middle East on how it shaped its marketing strategies to draw in audiences to the show. 'We run campaigns in parallel,' he explains, stating that strategies differ on the optimal target audience for each live event. 'For Mamma Mia!, our key target audiences are women in their late 20s to, high 40s. We have understood that for this demographic in particular, the best way to actually convert is digitally through Meta, Google and through out-of-home (OOH),' he says. 'We have a very strong outdoor strategy which goes not only through Abu Dhabi but also in Dubai,' he continues, 'from branding on taxis, billboards on streets, and screens in different places around the country.' 'That has allowed us to have a very omnipresent campaign throughout the show's run,' he adds. But demographics alone don't sell tickets. Consumer insight is the compass. 'We're constantly surveying audiences, not just in the UAE, but across the Middle East,' Cuervo says. Even though he admits that shows like Hamilton may take years to migrate from New York to Yas Island, 'when they do, the demand is rarely in question,' he says. He further explains that Proactiv also keeps a close watch on repeat viewership and bases its strategy on how soon a show can return to a market and still sell out. In terms of converting awareness into ROI in ticket sales, Cuervo says 'YouTube ads has been very big for us,' as they 'allow for the show to be present at all times, even when you're far from the season itself.' He also says that 'Instagram and search are always at the top,' of the event company's conversion rate. Finally, securing the right partners adds to the strength of marketing global events to audiences in the Middle East. 'Platinumlist has been in the region for years and they've grown a very strong database which allows us to speak directly not only to their entire database but segments that are more relevant to us when it comes to musicals,' Cuervo says. 'Our government partners, Miral and DCT Abu Dhabi have also been instrumental in driving this theatre strategy and turning Abu Dhabi into the theatre capital of the Middle East,' he adds. 'That's why we have been so successful – because it's the collective effort of several stakeholders,' he concludes.

Dubai Eye

15 hours ago

• Dubai Eye

Sinner and singer Bocelli strike up partnership for new single

World number one Jannik Sinner has formed a new doubles partnership but the duo will be battling for chart success rather than Grand Slam titles after the Italian released a single with compatriot and opera tenor Andrea Bocelli on Friday. The three-time Grand Slam champion Sinner promoted the song titled 'Polvere e Gloria' or 'Dust and Glory' on Instagram. The video features footage from the pair's childhoods and more recent clips of the singer and Sinner, clutching a racket and tennis ball, in front of a piano in Bocelli's home in Tuscany. Sinner's speeches form part of the song, which is in Italian and English, with Bocelli in full flow. "Every life is a potential work of art: each of us bears the sweet responsibility of nurturing our talents in the daily acrobatics of living, pursuing our dreams while remaining steadfastly true to our values," the pair wrote on Instagram. "This duet is such a bold leap that it has ignited our passion, born of shared and unwavering desire to express our deep belief that nothing is impossible." Sinner, the US Open and Australian Open champion, said he was honoured to be part of the project with Bocelli, describing the singer as a "unique and extraordinary voice" and "a flag for our country in the rest of the world". "I could never have imagined hearing my voice in one of his songs. It's extremely moving," the 23-year-old added. Sinner, who was beaten by Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz in an epic French Open final earlier this month, lost in the last 16 of the Halle Open on Thursday in a blow to his preparations for Wimbledon which gets underway on June 30. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Andrea Bocelli (@andreabocelliofficial)