Chowk to Jumeirah: How Tunday Brought Lucknow’s Taste to Dubai
Few culinary names carry as much weight and nostalgia as Tunday Kababi. Born in the historic streets of Chowk, Lucknow, and now serving food lovers in the heart of Dubai, the brand’s journey is one of legacy, loyalty, and timeless flavour. This is the story of how a one-handed chef’s royal recipe found a home in Jumeirah.
Table of Contents
- A Legacy Born in Lucknow
- The Galawati Kebab That Changed
- Preserving the Method, Expanding the Map
- Why Dubai Was the Perfect Second Home
- The Taste of Chowk, Served in Jumeirah
A Legacy Born in Lucknow
The story begins in 1905 in Chowk, a historic neighbourhood in Lucknow known for its narrow lanes and royal culinary traditions. Haji Murad Ali, despite losing one arm in an accident, mastered the art of cooking and created a kebab unlike any other—one so soft and aromatic that it needed no chewing.
Over the decades, his little shop became an institution. Locals, tourists, and food critics alike made pilgrimages to sample his Galawati Kebab, crafted using a secret blend of 160 hand-ground spices.
The Galawati Kebab That Changed Everything
The success of Tunday Kababi was built on one promise: authenticity above all. From marination to the use of copper tawas and hand-ground masalas, every step honoured the original process. The Galawati Kebab was more than food—it was a cultural symbol.
As demand grew, so did the reach. Tunday Kababi expanded within Lucknow, but the recipe remained untouched.
Preserving the Method, Expanding the Map
Even as it branched out, Tunday never compromised on its methods. Chefs were hand-trained in the Lucknowi kitchen before being sent to new outlets. Ingredients were sourced carefully to maintain consistency, and the spice blend stayed under strict guard.
This commitment to tradition made it possible to take Tunday global—without losing what made it special.
Why Dubai Was the Perfect Second Home
Dubai, with its cultural diversity and appreciation for authentic flavours, proved to be the ideal place to introduce Tunday outside India. The city’s large South Asian population, combined with food-savvy global diners, created the perfect setting.
When Tunday opened its first Dubai outlet, it did so not as a franchise experiment, but as an extension of the original kitchen. The chefs, the process, and even the kitchen setup mirrored what you’d find in Chowk.
The Taste of Chowk, Served in Jumeirah
Today, when you eat at Tunday Kababi in Jumeirah, you’re not just enjoying a kebab—you’re tasting over a century of culinary heritage. The soft texture of the Galawati, the richness of the Nihari, the fragrance of our Dum Biryani—it all carries the unmistakable touch of Lucknow.
Al Hudaiba Awards Building, Al Mina Street, Jumeirah Dubai
Come for the food, stay for the story. Visit Tunday Kababi Dubai and taste the soul of Chowk, served fresh in Jumeirah.
