In a city filled with Asian venues, Matagi Dubai stands out with a clear food philosophy that is deeply rooted in traditional culture. The restaurant draws inspiration from the practices and traditions of the Far East; that of harvesting ingredients and other produce according to their seasonality. This provides the raw ingredients for an authentic earth-to-table dining experience; fresh, dynamic and ever-evolving. The menu at Matagi is a tribute to this legacy, by using simple, high-quality and indigenous ingredients from the land and sea of the Far East, handcrafted by masters.
This Pan Asian restaurant, which is a lifestyle-driven eatery, is located within the iconic Emerald Palace Kempinski Dubai. Additionally, it uniquely pays homage to traditional Asian cuisine while embracing modern culinary concepts.
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Exquisite Cuts of Meat
One of the Matagi Dubai specialties are the exquisite cuts of meat which feature heavily in the menu, in particular, the Wagyu and Wagyu Cross ‘WX’ beef – premium, high-grade cuts famed for their robust flavor and tender texture. This specific cut of beef is sourced from Miyazaki & Kagoshima prefectures from the southern Japanese island of Kyushu, fed on a rich diet of pressed soybeans, sesame seed and pressed barley for a unique meat texture. The cut, which is from a remarkable genetically superior breed, features a high-grade of marbling to create a powerful taste for the sophisticated and discerning palate.
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Traditional Cooking Techniques
Each cut at Matagi Dubai is prepared using an array of traditional cooking techniques, including the use of solid fuel cooking. Using seasonal wood from the Far East, this unique process creates a unique sweet and smoky flavor, changing subtly depending on the type of wood used. For instance, during spring, the team uses Namibian hardwood and ‘Sakura’ Cherrywood to provide a perfect basis for an aroma that infuses intense flavor into each cut. The result is a selection of show-stopping dishes, including birch charcoal grilled Phoenix Wagyu ribeye with Asian herb sauce and black onyx Tomahawk steak with Shiso butter, truffle mayo, Yuzu Dashi and Yuzu salt.
Juxtaposed with these ancient techniques, Matagi Dubai also embraces more modern methods including Karaage; a popular technique of deep-frying meat, fish, and vegetables in hot oil, similar to tempura, producing vegetable tempura with lotus root, Japanese eggplant, okra, sweet potato, coriander leaves, and Den Dashi. Kinpira, a ‘sauté and simmer’ style process is also used to create stir-fried Bok Choi with garlic, ginger, soy, and sesame seeds.
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Old Meets New at Matagi Dubai
Matagi restaurant seems to be an exciting fusion of old meets new. At the core of its philosophy is an embrace of modern authenticity; acknowledging the traditions of the past whilst playfully interpreting them for today. The result is a place of culinary mastery for avid and sophisticated foodies, bringing innovative Pan-Asian culture to life through a series of mouth-watering creations.
Have you ever dined at Matagi Dubai? How was your experience?
About the Author
- Esther Lackie
- Aesthetics enthusiast, in love with running; marketing and PR pro during the day, an amateur chef and wine taster behind closed doors.
2 Comments
Have not tried Matagi yet. Am surely tempted after your post. How is it budgetwise?
It’s slightly on the high end of the mid-range spectrum… But then again it all comes down to what you’re spoiling yourself with.