Check out this week’s episode of Cheap Eats on Dubai 92 where our co-founder Farida Ahmed shares the details of her visit to the outlet that serves her favorite grilled octopus skewers from the Global Village.
What’s This Week’s Cheap Eat?
If you’re a fan of Zaab Zaab Thai’s grilled octopus skewers, much like our co-founder Farida Ahmed, the good news is you no longer need to wait for Global Village to relish them. Farida recently discovered their outlet operating with a different name in the Dubai Islands.
Their octopus is tender and juicy, with crunchy ends and a slightly chewy soft interior. You can opt for a non-spicy version or the spicy one which is marinated in a secret rub that gives it a fiery kick. It is grilled fresh and served with two sauces: a sweet chili sauce and a green sauce made with lime juice, coriander, garlic, green chilies, a hint of sugar, and a dash of MSG to increase the umami flavor.
One skewer costs 15 dirhams while you can get two for 25 dirhams. Check out the audio recap of the episode on Dubai 92 below for more details.
Smile Cuisine is located at Dubai Islands, Souk Al Marfa. You can find it on Google Maps here.
What Their Grilled Octopus Skewers Look Like
View this post on Instagram
Tune In
Tune in to the segment using this audio recap or check out the transcript below.
Transcript
Jono:
Yes, let’s tantalize our taste buds. Good morning Farida. Where we’re off to this week and what are we trying to sample?
Farida:
Good morning, good morning… So, this week we’re off to Dubai Islands, a place that I have never been to before, and specifically in Dubai Islands we’re going to be going to Souk Al Marfa. Now before I tell you what I had, every year I go on a pilgrimage to Global Village.
Nats:
Yes.
Farida:
And one photo that I always, always put up, and that is the octopus on a stick or the octopus on a skewer. So this is at the Global Village Thai Floating Market and they have many many stalls but the one that I love to patronize is the one that’s called Zaab Zaab Thai. I think that their octopus on a stick is absolutely amazing but you know every year I would have to wait for Global Village just to go and stuff my face with that grilled octopus. And then I find out that they’ve opened up an outlet in Souk Al Marfa on Dubai Islands and it’s called “Smile Cuisine”.
Nats:
Wow! Completely different name. No, I haven’t heard of this.
Farida:
Very different name but it’s the same people behind Zaab Zaab Thai and they’re serving up all of the Global Village favorites, you know, the mussels, the octopus, the grilled squid, everything, and of course a little bit more. So when I heard that they have an outlet over there, of course, I had to head down there and I was not disappointed. One skewer of grilled octopus goes for like 15 dirhams. Two go for 25 dirhams which to me is an absolute steal. They’re grilling it fresh, so you do have to wait a little bit but honestly, I don’t mind. You can get it non-spicy but that is not my jam so of course I …
Jono:
Where’s the fun in that?
Nats:
Pure fire for Farida.
Farida:
Yes, so they… I don’t… they have the secret rub that they marinate the octopus in when you ask for it spicy. They grill it fresh and then they bring it to your table and it is that sauce. There are two sauces that they give you. one is a sweet chili sauce that I like but you know I can do without. It is the green sauce that to me is absolutely addictive. It’s made with lime juice, coriander, garlic, green chilies, a hint of sugar, and of course a dash of MSG. And you’re supposed to dip your bits of octopus in it. So the octopus itself, they’re these little baby octopus. They’ve got crunchy ends, a slightly chewy soft interior.
Nats:
Yum, yum, yum.
Farida:
Yeah, you just pulled them off the skewer with your fingers, you dunk it in that lovely, spicy, mouth-tingling, slightly sweet chili sauce and you’re all set.
Nats:
Tell us the name of the restaurant again.
Farida:
Smile Cuisine.
Jono:
Love it! From looking at the menu, it looks like if it fits on a stick, they’ll put it on a stick and they’ll sell it to you. Which I love that. Squid, chicken, octopus, shrimp, beef with mushrooms, looks delicious and the price point; pretty cheap as well, starting off at five dirhams, working up as far as the most expensive thing I can see on the menu there is about 35 dirhams. That is a top tip on how to save your cash.
Nats:
The food looks fantastic.
Farida:
Yes.
Jono:
It is all located at Dubai Islands, Souk Al Marfa, which is well worth checking out. Frida, as always, from Frying Pan Adventures, thank you so much for joining us.
Farida:
Thank you, my pleasure.
Find out where to find Savory Dhaga Kabab in Dubai here.
Arva Ahmed is the co-founder of Frying Pan Adventures, Dubai’s first food tour company, and a celebrated food explorer known for uncovering Dubai’s hidden culinary gems. Her expertise in the city’s diverse food scene has been featured in prominent publications such as CNN, Khaleej Times, BBC Travel, The Sun, The Independent and countless more. She also hosts Ditch the Silver on YouTube. Through her immersive tours and storytelling, Arva brings Dubai’s rich flavors and vibrant cultures to life.
