Dubai, UAE – November 5 to November 16, 2025 – Zaroob and NoGarlicNoOnions proudly announce the return of one of the region’s most loved street food heroes, Em Bachir, at Zaroob Sheikh Zayed Road. After selling more than 10,000 saj in Season 1 and capturing hearts across Dubai, she’s back — joined by her son Bachir — ready to bring the true taste and scent of Lebanon to the city of food, culture, and connection.
From Faraya to Dubai: A Story Baked in Love
Since 1989, Em Bachir has been known as the queen of saj in her hometown of Faraya, Lebanon. What began as a small saj stand became a symbol of warmth, generosity, and Lebanese authenticity. Her secret? Simple ingredients mixed with love, experience, and patience.
Now, after countless requests and messages asking, “When is Em Bachir coming back?”, she’s returning to Zaroob Dubai — bringing with her sacks of zaatar and keshek straight from Faraya and a heart full of stories. She says she wants to make sure you don’t miss Lebanon too much… because for eleven days, Lebanon will live right here at Zaroob.
Saj That Brings Back Memories
The saj Em Bachir prepares isn’t just food — it’s emotion on a saj. Each dough is kneaded by hand, thin and crisp, cooked to perfection on the hot dome until golden and crackling. Every fold releases the comforting scent of the mountains — zaatar, labneh, kawarma, and that iconic Arouset el Manakish, the saj wrap everyone remembers from Faraya.
Families who once ate her saj as children now return with their own kids. The nostalgia is real — mothers pointing, smiling, saying, “I used to eat this when I was five.” For Em Bachir, this is the magic: food that unites generations, food that feels like home.
A Hero with Heart
When asked why she’s coming back, Em Bachir said:
“Zaroob felt like family. I wasn’t working — I was home, serving people I love.”
That warmth is what makes her a true street food hero. She serves not just saj, but smiles, stories, and Lebanese spirit. And, with her son Bachir by her side, she’s passing on both her recipe and her passion to the next generation.
She dreams of serving the globe, letting every culture taste her saj and understand what love in a meal truly means.
Be There, Be Many
From November 5 to 16, head to Zaroob Sheikh Zayed Road to witness the smell, the crunch, and the joy of real Lebanese saj. Watch Em Bachir in action — dough flying, zaatar sizzling, memories being made. She’s back to ignite life once again in Zaroob, and this is your chance to be part of it.
Come hungry. Come curious. Come be part of the story.
Because with Em Bachir, every saj is a slice of Lebanon.
About Zaroob
Zaroob, located on Sheikh Zayed Road and Motor City, is a Levantine street food restaurant offering an authentic dining experience with traditional Levantine food and contemporary flair. Known for its live cooking stations and vibrant atmosphere, Zaroob brings the best of Levantine food culture to Dubai.
About NoGarlicNoOnions
Founded by Anthony Rahayel, NoGarlicNoOnions is a renowned food and travel platform uncovering hidden culinary gems across Lebanon and the Arab world. Dedicated to sharing authentic stories and flavors, NGNO has become a trusted source for food lovers worldwide.
About Street Food Heroes
Street Food Heroes is a first-of-its-kind culinary movement in the UAE — a collaboration between NoGarlicNoOnionsand Zaroob, founded and led by Anthony Rahayel, the visionary Lebanese food explorer and storyteller.
What started as a dream to uncover and celebrate hidden food gems across Lebanon has evolved into an international platform that’s now bringing authentic, passionate, everyday food makers to the world’s most dynamic food city — Dubai.
Through Street Food Heroes, NoGarlicNoOnions is shining a global spotlight on the real people behind the dishes — the cooks, the artisans, the street-side legends who have dedicated their lives to preserving authentic flavors. For the first time, these local food heroes are being given the chance to cook, create, and connect with new audiences in the heart of Dubai.
Each hero represents a story of culture, resilience, and flavor — from Lebanese foul masters and manakish makers to Armenian grill artists and village chefs — all bringing their food, traditions, and energy to Zaroob’s vibrant space.
This campaign isn’t just about food; it’s about economic growth, cultural pride, and opportunity. It’s about taking small-town talent to the next-level city — a city that celebrates diversity, innovation, and excellence in everything it serves.
With Anthony Rahayel’s unstoppable passion for storytelling and Zaroob’s vision for elevating Levantine and regional street food, Street Food Heroes is creating a movement that celebrates the true soul of Middle Eastern cuisine — and giving it the global stage it deserves.
Dubai has always been a city of possibilities — and now, it’s becoming the city of food heroes.
This is not just a campaign — it’s the start of a culinary empire built on authenticity, passion, and purpose.
Follow the Journey:
Instagram: @zaroob | @nogarlicnoonions | @sajembachir
