Dubai’s Japanese dining scene is about to gain a fresh perspective. Neo-Temaki Dubai will open this July on the ground floor of JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai, turning the humble handroll into the centre of the evening. Billed as a new-generation handroll bar, it leans into the idea of Tokyo street nostalgia meeting contemporary youth culture, and it arrives with an easy-to-remember tagline: new rolls, new rules.
What Is Neo-Temaki?
Neo-Temaki is a contemporary take on Japanese handroll culture, built around freshly prepared temaki, counter dining and a lively, energy-fuelled atmosphere. The appeal is simple and direct. Quality ingredients, visible craftsmanship and interaction between guest and chef come together across the counter, so the room feels less like a formal sushi restaurant and more like a place to settle in and watch each roll take shape.
The concept made its first public appearance at Sole DXB, the annual Dubai festival that celebrates footwear, music, art and street culture, so the city already had an early taste of its energy before this official opening. It also marks another step in the evolving culinary landscape at JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai, where the team builds each dining concept in-house rather than borrowing one. That approach lets each venue pursue its own identity, and Neo-Temaki Dubai reads as distinctive from the start.
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What’s On The Neo-Temaki Menu?
The menu comes from Chef Miguel Huelamo and celebrates handrolls made to order alongside a selection of Japanese-inspired small plates. The temaki is where the personality shows. The Otoro Bomb pairs bluefin tuna belly with crispy spring onions for richness and crunch; the Hamachi Crunch wraps yellowtail in plum-coated sesame seeds; and the Scallop Lux pairs Hokkaido scallop with yuzu kosho for a cleaner, citrus-led bite.
Beyond the handrolls, the small plates add more variety to the meal. Guests can work through a Salmon and Hamachi Ponzu, a Neo Nigiri Selection, and a Spicy Wagyu Tartare, leaving room to graze, share, and roll. It is a tight, considered list rather than an exhaustive one, which suits the counter format and keeps the focus on what leaves the pass freshest.
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What Can You Drink At Neo-Temaki?
The drinks list matches the food rather than overshadowing it. There is a curated selection of sake, Japan-inspired cocktails, and a select range of grape labels for those who prefer wine. Non-alcoholic concoctions round out the offering, so the table works whether or not everyone is drinking. Paired with the handrolls and small plates, the list keeps the whole experience cohesive and easy to navigate.
Where Is Neo-Temaki And When Does It Open?
Neo-Temaki Dubai opens in July 2026 on the ground floor of JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai, on Sheikh Zayed Road in Business Bay. Reservations and enquiries go through [email protected], with more information on the official website. For a hotel that keeps introducing homegrown dining destinations, this handroll bar looks like one of the more characterful additions, and it should give the neighbourhood a genuine reason to book a table at the counter.
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