The humble cup of tea has long brought people together, and today, karak chai has become a proud symbol of the UAE’s multicultural identity, shaped by its vibrant South Asian community
They say variety is the spice of life, and nowhere does that ring truer than the UAE’s ever-evolving food and beverage scene. If you’re lucky enough to call the country home, you’ll know just how much different cultures shape daily life. No two days taste the same here, with flavours from around the world arriving via delivery apps, neighbourhood restaurants, and local cafeterias, each carrying a piece of someone’s culinary heritage.
Long before Deliveroo and SevenRooms, chai found its way into the UAE through the communities that helped build the nation in its early years. Brought over by Indian workers in the mid-20th century, the drink quickly took root, evolving into what we now know as karak chai. Roadside cafeterias began serving strong, sweet cups at all hours, and before long, it became part of the country’s daily routine.
Today, chai is as popular as ever, so woven into UAE culture that its origins can be easy to forget. That’s the beauty of cultures coming together, where a simple cup of tea becomes a shared ritual that transcends backgrounds and generations. In today’s blog, we raise a cup to those shared traditions and trace the story back to where it all began.
The Origins of Chai
Before making its way to the UAE, chai was already steeped in daily life across India. The word itself simply means tea, drawn from the Hindi ‘chai’, which traces back to the Chinese word ‘cha’. What we sip in Dubai as karak is actually a close cousin of India’s Masala Chai.
The earliest versions weren’t even tea at all, just warming blends of herbs and spices brewed for energy. Over time, tea leaves entered the mix during British rule, and what began as a colonial import slowly transformed into something distinctly Indian. Instead of gently steeping it, people boiled tea with milk, sugar, and spices, turning it into a stronger, sweeter, full-bodied drink.
Every household has its own twist, but the magic usually starts with tea, milk, sugar, cardamom, ginger, and a little heat from black pepper. Some add cinnamon or cloves, others swear by fennel or star anise, each blend carrying its own personality.
Reimagined for Local Palates
Chai was introduced to the Emirates sometime during the 1960s, brought along by Indian expats travelling to the Middle East in search of better opportunities. The beloved beverage quickly became a hit with the local population, who started calling it karak chai, coming from the Hindi word ‘kadak’, which means strong. As the name suggests, local chai differs slightly from the authentic Indian blend in using fewer whole spices, strong black tea, and evaporated or fresh milk and sugar.
It wasn’t long before Emiratis began pairing karak with their own favourite bites. Regag, a thin, crispy Emirati bread, quickly became the perfect companion to a steaming cup, light enough to fold and strong enough to hold sweet or savoury fillings. Made from unleavened batter spread across a scorching griddle, it’s cooked until golden and crisp, then enjoyed on its own or dipped straight into the tea.
Over time, this strong, sweet, milky brew settled firmly into daily life, often described as the UAE’s unofficial national drink. The culture around karak stretches far beyond polished cafés, with small roadside cafeterias serving cups around the clock to match the city’s 24-hour lifestyle.
The beauty of karak is that it doesn’t belong to one culture or community. Construction workers on a midday pause, taxi drivers between shifts, friends catching up after midnight, and executives on their way to meetings all share the same ritual.
Chai-Infused Collaborations
We don’t know about you, but all this talk about chai has left us seriously craving a cup. So, of course, we’re here to share our favourite chai spot in the UAE and some clever brand collaborations that centre on the art of sharing a cup.
It may not be one of the first places you’d think of going to for your favourite drink, but JA Hatta Fort Hotel is one of the best spots to grab a chai right now. As part of an exclusive collaboration with Project Chaiwala, JA Resorts & Hotels has introduced a co-branded cart that is travelling across its portfolio, currently stationed at its serene mountain resort throughout Ramadan.
Surrounded by breathtaking views of the Hajar Mountains, guests can savour classics such as the Karak Aslee Chai, enjoy the Karak Arabia Iced Chai for a taste of Emirati tradition, or try the cocoa-infused Molten Karak. Alternatively, unique creations like Falcon Punch Iced Chai, Tiger Burst Iced Chai, and soft-served karak ice cream offer the perfect post-iftar treat or a refreshing finish to a gentle mountain hike.
Sharing the same passion for embracing local heritage as JA, Project Chaiwala was launched in 2017 by Justin Joseph and Ahmed Kazim, two third-culture founders united by a love for chai. For them, karak reflects Dubai’s multicultural identity and the everyday connections that shape the city. By whipping up fresh creations and signature blends, they breathe new life into the city’s chai culture, reintroducing the tradition to a new generation in a way that feels modern, exciting, and entirely unique.
Another hospitality brand that has embraced chai culture through a creative brand collaboration is Rove Hotels. Marking UAE National Day 2025, the lifestyle brand teamed up with Frying Pan Adventures, the experts in food and walking tours in Dubai, to create a carefully curated journey for guests inspired by Emirati culinary traditions. Throughout the day, participants had the chance to try out some of the city’s hidden gems and, of course, enjoyed plenty of karak, gahwa, and dates along the way.
Today, karak continues to evolve, showing up in roadside cafeterias, creative collaborations, and mountain retreats alike. What began as a comforting blend carried across borders has been shaped by the people who brew it, serve it, and enjoy it every single day. In a country built on shared stories and shifting influences, that small glass of chai remains one of the simplest ways to feel connected.
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