Rachel Bueno Tandas (third from left) is the founder and owner of COSHI House in Dubai. JONATHAN YBERA/EXPAT MEDIA

A new fusion restaurant combining sushi, specialty coffee and Filipino hospitality has opened its doors in Dubai, turning a longtime dream into reality for Filipina civil engineer Rachel Bueno Tandas. COSHI House officially welcomed customers during its soft launch on Sunday (May 31) at the ground floor of Al Nasr Square Building in Oud Metha. The restaurant's name combines the words "coffee" and "sushi", reflecting the concept created by Tandas and her husband, who is also a Dubai-based engineer. More than just another café, COSHI House was designed as a welcoming space where customers can enjoy specialty coffee drinks such as matcha coffee, alongside both traditional Japanese sushi and Filipino-Japanese fusion dishes including sisig sushi, all served in a relaxed atmosphere shaped by Filipino warmth and hospitality. "Seeing COSHI House finally open its doors is incredibly rewarding," Tandas told Expat Media. "This started as a simple idea inspired by the things I love, and today it has become a space where people can gather, enjoy good food, and create memories. It reminds me that sometimes the dreams we keep in the background are worth pursuing." The concept was inspired by years of observation, family experiences in the food industry and a desire to create a space where people could slow down amid Dubai's fast-paced lifestyle. COSHI House also draws inspiration from Tandas' sister, who worked her way up from restaurant server to sushi chef and helped shape the café's culinary direction. "I wanted a space where people can just stop for a moment," Tandas said. "Whether they are tired, in a rush, or not in the mood, it should still feel okay to be there." Beyond food and beverages, Tandas plans to use the restaurant as a platform for affordable skills training. She hopes to offer workshops for aspiring baristas and sushi chefs who want to gain practical experience without significant costs. For Tandas, the business journey began unexpectedly. Seventeen years ago, Tandas arrived in Dubai after accompanying a friend to a job interview. Instead of her friend receiving the offer, she was hired. "At that time, I just wanted stability," she recalled. "I never imagined anything beyond that." After building a successful engineering career, she began taking baking and barista courses in 2023 as a weekend hobby. "I never started it thinking it would become a business," she said. "But slowly, I realized I was improving. I could actually do this." Today, Tandas balances multiple roles as an engineer, entrepreneur, mother and content creator. "There are days I am more of a mother, days I am more of an engineer, and days I am fully in the café," she said. "And that is okay." For the longtime UAE resident, COSHI House represents more than a restaurant opening. It is the realization of a dream built over years of persistence, learning and belief that passion projects are worth pursuing. COSHI House's opening on May 31 was attended by Philippine Consul General Ambrosio Brian Enciso, officers of the Philippine Business Council in Dubai and Northern Emirates (PBC Dubai), and members of the Filipino business community. Among those present was PBC Dubai Board Director Mariben Christine Tan Eustaquio, founder of EZONE, the business setup firm that assisted COSHI House in securing the permits required to begin operations. PIA/CAM/Expat Media Catch Rachel's exclusive story coming out soon in the Expat Media Special Edition magazine.
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