DINERS ENJOY THE ‘CRACK’ INTO THE SMALL HOURS
▶ Dubai’s faithful flock to Happy Egg cafe to refuel and refocus for day’s fast
If the Happy Egg cafe can guarantee anything, it’s that customers will leave with a full belly and a smile on their face. Cosily lit, the Umm Suqeim eaterie stays open for much of the night, allowing fasting diners to while away the hours before sunrise.
It serves a variety of eggs, as the name would suggest. Shakshouka in red and green sauce is popular, as is spicy eggs and potato.
“It gets busier during the late, late hours in Ramadan,” says waiter Nikky Colcorsy, a Filipino. “The food is great here, though.”
Three friends since childhood, Samir Al Abduallah, 26, Saeed Arjumand, 27, and Ahmed Al Zarooni, 25, prepare to tuck into a feast as the clock strikes midnight.
Cars stream past on Umm Al Sheif Street outside on a steamy evening. Inside, the smell of baked food fills the air.
“Nights in Ramadan should not be something superactive,” says Mr Al Abduallah, an engineer for the utility company Dewa.
“Ramadan is more about focusing on yourself, taking it easy. Work is less stressful for us. I guess some people have more work in Ramadan, but usually some try to take it easy during the holy month. Everything else tends to slow because of that, too.”
Like many of those fasting, he finds sleeping difficult.
“I am awake for most of the night rather for most the day, because your sleeping pattern changes,” he says.
Mr Arjumand also stays up and sleeps on and off, dividing his time between the malls, television, games and books.
“The best dish they have here is the grilled chicken. We have it all the time. This is a small restaurant, a bit cosier and the food is great,” he says.
“As muezzin’s prayer call rises over the city, I pray and then sleep.”
Mr Arjumand says there is no denying that dining out a lot takes its toll on the waistline.
“Whenever Ramadan is approaching, I know exactly how I will spend my time,” he says.
“As we consume food during the evening and late hours of the night, I tend to gain weight. During the holy month, everyone gives you more sweets – wherever you go.
“Ramadan is a time when I focus on my prayers. I eat, and go out to see these guys. We’ve known each other since we were little kids.”
Mr Al Zarooni has recently graduated and is looking to start a career, so there has been plenty of time for television box sets this month.
“I don’t watch any Arab series. When I say TV shows, I think about Breaking Bad and Game of Thrones.”
All three men agree their family homes are more crowded and lively throughout the night in Ramadan.
“All of our family members are still awake, watching television and snacking,” Mr Arjumand says with a smile.
Three friends gather at the Umm Suqeim diner to eat and share experiences of Ramadan, reflecting on its meaning and its challenges