As FACT celebrates women globally, discover how the concept went from Dubai to London. 

Chef Neha Mishra is an industry disrupter. Female restauranteurs are few and far between, and Indian chefs cooking award-winning Japanese food are practically unheard of. Kinoya has an unlikely origin story. The concept first started as a supper club, A Story of Food. More than 7,000 meals later, it turned into a restaurant.

In 2021, Kinoya opened in Onyx Tower in Dubai, and in 2023, it opened in Harrods in London. Neha has gained recognition from the FACT Dining Awards Dubai to MICHELIN Guide Dubai. Now, she is launching a new concept in Dubai with Atelier House Hospitality, although the name has not yet been confirmed. In honour of International Women’s Day, Neha shares her story from supper club to international success.  

Tell us why people should visit Kinoya in London and Dubai. 

Kinoya is a homegrown concept. For that alone, I would recommend a visit. Of course, hopefully you’ll become a frequent visitor. It is a ramen focused restaurant with plenty to offer. I am a firm believer that if anyone says ramen isn’t for them, they simply have not met the right ramen for them. The London venue is a smaller outlet with a tighter offering, but it is also special. Ramen venues in Japan can be found in the basement of department stores. For Kinoya to be in an iconic space like Harrods feels full circle.

Share stereotypes you faced as a woman in business.

That we are too emotional, and we are catty. On the contrary, women support each other tremendously and they are able to bring empathy and compassion into businesses and partnerships in the way we lead our teams. 

How did you turn negative criticism into positive motivation?

People would say, “she’s not Japanese, she can’t make this food”. I doubled down on proving that I can do my own adaptation of Japanese food.

What is the best thing about being a woman in business?

There’s a shift. More and more women have their own financial independence. That is something I would encourage, and advocate to every woman I know. When we are running businesses and have financial independence, we make better decisions in our personal lives. We give ourselves the freedom to choose, and that just makes us more fulfilled. We are happier mothers, wives, friends, colleagues and people in general.

How did you feel when you created your first international expansion?

Validated. 

What are your future plans for expansion?

We will expand slowly and meaningfully. There has to be a desire to create something special. The motive can’t be the money. That can definitely be the by-product, but it can’t be the primary goal. I am opening a concept towards the end of the year, in partnership with with Atelier House Hospitality. I am looking forward to it. Grown up women in business don’t ask each other to ‘let’s go get haircuts together, or our nails done together’, we go with ‘let’s open a place together’.

What’s your advice for the next generation of women?

Make sure you have your own financial autonomy. Don’t take things personally. Life isn’t trying to get you.

GO: Follow @astoryoffood on Instagram for more information.