Dubai

Kamini travels to Dubai in the UAE. Her first impressions? A man-made oasis where money talks, from cars to fashion to food. But does this flashy city have an authentic heart? Fortunately, Kamini has a guide to help her uncover Dubai’s true nature: local food blogger Arva Ahmed. Her blog I Live in a Frying Pan shows a passion for old Dubai street food and she also runs food tours that take visitors on journeys to unveil tastes and flavors steeped in Middle Eastern traditions.

The two visit the famous Deira Fish Market for a taste of the Gulf, head out on a food tour tasting Arabic cuisine, taste desert ice cream, and stuff themselves full of delectable kanafa. Kamini also heads out on a 4x4 adventure where she learns the Bedouin art of eating in the desert. She even has time for a night out with the girls, including a meal at the renowned fusion eatery Qbara, and a game of table tennis on a gold table – in heels! With Arva as her knowledgeable local guide, Kamini discovers that far from being a city where opulence rules, the authentic heart of the city can be discovered through its food culture, a culture at the epicenter of Middle Eastern cuisine.