Within the bustling streets of Cairo’s Heliopolis, a meals trailer with vibrant purple out of doors aesthetics catches the attention amid the city sprawl of Skyline Plaza. That is MIMA’S, a singular culinary haven that transforms the standard meatball right into a celebration of Lebanese and Egyptian heritage with a contemporary, world twist.
Based by Mariam Safa, identified affectionately as “MIMA”, the standard joint is a narrative of ardour, perseverance, and the unifying energy of meals.
From Company Life to Culinary Calling: Mariam’s Journey
Mariam’s path to creating MIMA’S is as flavorful because the dishes she serves. Born in Lebanon and raised within the UAE, Mariam spent a lot of her skilled life within the monetary sector, navigating the company world throughout the Gulf states. But, beneath the numbers and conferences, a deeper ardour simmered.
“I all the time had this urge to run my very own enterprise,” Mariam shares with Egyptian Streets, “and cooking was my outlet, my pleasure – one thing I nurtured whereas elevating my household.”
Mariam’s culinary roots hint again to the small Lebanese village of Zebdine, the place she spent the summers together with her grandmother, cooking with substances contemporary from the earth; tomatoes from the backyard, herbs from the hills.
“My mom’s kitchen was the guts of our residence,” Mariam recollects. “Meals was not simply sustenance; it was how we linked, how we welcomed individuals.” Years of internet hosting household and pals honed her abilities. After intensive analysis, Mariam determined that the meals and beverage business in Egypt would welcome her idea with open arms.
And so, three years in the past, Mariam left the soundness of the finance sector for the uncertainty of entrepreneurship, taking a leap of religion pushed by a imaginative and prescient to share her love of meals with a brand new viewers.
A Culinary Philosophy Rooted in Custom, Elevated by Innovation
Mariam’s culinary philosophy is a fragile dance between heritage and modernity. At MIMA’S, the meatball – often called Kofta Dawood Basha in Egypt, Keftedes in Greece, or Polpette in Italy – takes middle stage. “It’s a dish with so many names and tales,” she says. “I needed to honor that historical past whereas making it contemporary for at present’s palate.”
Her strategy blends the comforting flavors of Lebanese and Egyptian residence cooking with up to date twists. “Meals ought to really feel like residence,” Mariam explains, “however with a shock that retains you coming again.” High quality is non-negotiable; substances are sourced each regionally and internationally to make sure authenticity and freshness. Her signature dishes replicate this ethos, drawing inspiration from her grandmother’s recipes and her personal experiments within the kitchen.
MIMA’S menu is a testomony to this philosophy, providing a variety of dishes that stability familiarity with aptitude. The Loaded Potatoes with Meatballs prices EGP 180 (USD 6), a beneficiant plate of fluffy mashed potatoes topped with succulent beef meatballs, rosemary, melted cheese, crunchy crackers, and a kick of jalapeño. A drizzle of MIMA’S Sizzling Firecracker sauce brings a zesty, spicy edge that danced with the jalapeño’s warmth. The rosemary added an fragrant depth, making every chew a satisfying interaction of textures and tastes. Rooster lovers also can get pleasure from this dish with both grilled or fried rooster balls as properly.
For EGP 139 (USD 3), you may indulge within the Beef Meatballs Sub; a handheld delight that includes the identical toppings however drenched in a strong marinara sauce. This sauce was a revelation: wealthy, barely candy, and completely balanced, elevating the smoky spice of the meatballs. Different sauce choices, just like the intriguing Cherry Jelly, trace at Mariam’s playful aspect, mixing candy and tangy notes for a singular end.
The menu extends far past these highlights. Breakfast brings choices just like the Omelette Egg Bun (EGP 40 – USD 0.5) and Falafel Sub (EGP 55 – USD 1), whereas appetizers embody the Lebanese Potato Harra (EGP 85 – USD 1.7), a spicy nod to Mariam’s roots. Desserts like MIMA’S Waffle (EGP 120 – USD 2.5) supply a candy conclusion. Costs vary from EGP 30 (USD 0.5) for drinks to EGP 180 (USD 6) for essential dishes, making MIMA’S accessible but indulgent.
MIMA’S’ location can be an expertise in and of itself and has a narrative. Mariam envisioned a modern, Airstream-inspired meals trailer – a rarity in Egypt’s meals truck scene. “We needed it to be an announcement,” she says, “one thing that mirrored our persona.” Discovering a workshop able to bringing this imaginative and prescient to life was not straightforward. After months of looking, she partnered with a neighborhood crew prepared to experiment, ensuing within the putting chrome steel trailer that now anchors MIMA’s identification.
Visiting MIMA’S, it’s clear that the brilliant chrome steel trailer, daring and unapologetic, mirrors Mariam’s spirited persona. Outdoors the trailer, the ambiance is heat and alluring, with desk video games like X-O, Dominos, and child soccer (foosball) encouraging diners to linger. The soundtrack of Fairouz’s timeless melodies fills the air, evoking a way of nostalgia that enhances the meals’s homey roots. “We needed it to really feel unique however welcoming,” Mariam says, and he or she has succeeded.
A Imaginative and prescient for Development With out Compromise
Launching MIMA’S in Egypt was a daring endeavor fraught with challenges. Egypt’s culinary panorama is wealthy however rooted in custom – assume koshari, shawarma, and falafel. Introducing an idea centered on meatballs, a dish much less outstanding within the native road meals canon, required each braveness and creativity.
“It was robust to deliver one thing new,” Mariam admits. “Individuals love what they know, so we needed to make them extra interested in Koftet Dawood Basha and present them it may very well be thrilling.”
Location was one other puzzle. Mariam initially eyed bustling hubs like Fifth Settlement and Zayed, however logistical and regulatory constraints led her to Sheraton, Heliopolis. “It was not our best choice, however it grew to become the proper place to begin,” she displays. By way of these obstacles – market skepticism, design challenges, and site setbacks – Mariam’s resilience shone, laying the groundwork for MIMA’S rising success.
“It’s a big market, however it’s conventional,” she cautions. “You want a transparent technique to interrupt by.” Sourcing worldwide substances will be tough on account of import challenges, and understanding native tastes is vital. “Examine the market, be adaptable, and don’t quit,” she advises, her phrases echoing the willpower that constructed MIMA’S.
The challenges have been definitely worth the battle although. Since its debut, MIMA’S has cultivated a loyal following, with clients drawn to its authenticity and innovation. “They love the standard and the story behind it,” Mariam notes. Trying forward, she goals of increasing: new branches in Fifth Settlement and Sahel, a strong catering service, and broader supply choices are all within the works. “Development is thrilling,” she says, “however we’ll all the time keep true to what MIMA’S is: clear, comforting, genuine meals.”
A Cairo Gem Value Savoring
MIMA’S is a love letter to heritage, a conquer challenges, and a daring step into the way forward for meals entrepreneurship. In a metropolis the place culinary consolation usually sticks to the tried-and-true, MIMA’S dares to face out, reimagining a traditional dish with creativity and care.
Whether or not you’re a meatball fanatic or just craving one thing totally different, MIMA’S delivers a memorable expertise. As Mariam places it, “Bites inform a narrative,” and at MIMA’S, these tales are as scrumptious as they’re unforgettable.
MIMA’S in Three Phrases: Daring, Heat, Genuine
Location: Skyline Plaza, Sheraton, Heliopolis
Observe: @MIMASegy on Instagram
