Moevenpick's David Bedinghaus. Moevenpick's David Bedinghaus.

Dubai’s restaurant scene is crying out for more decent Asian cuisine, according to one F&B industry professional.

David Bedinghaus, executive chef across the four upcoming Seven Tides-owned Mövenpick properties in Dubai — Mövenpick Hotel Deira; Oceana Hotel and Spa; The Royal Amwaj Resort and Spa; and Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel and Spa — commented: “Asian food in general is in demand.

“In Dubai I only see a smattering of Asian cuisine offerings, but I still think there’s a lot of opportunity to provide a different experience and a better quality.

“Sensitivity to the palette of the local consumer is of course important,” he noted. “For example, people will often assume Thai food is terribly spicy.

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“But there are ways around that; you can offer, you can educate, you can talk to your customers about what they’d like and you can custom-build accordingly.”

Bedinghaus added that Asian food was soaring in popularity all over the globe.

“Sushi and sashimi is probably one of the hottest items around the world right now,” he said, adding that the historical Ibn Battuta-themed all-day dining restaurant at the Ibn Battuta Gate property — set to open in Q2 of 2010 — would feature such items.

“It is an all-day dining restaurant, so there’s a broad scope, and a variety of foods to be offered,” he explained.