Real estate developer Sodic officially opened Nobu New Cairo in the East Town New Cairo (EDNC) district on Wednesday, June 24, marking the luxury hospitality brand’s debut in the Egyptian capital.
Co-founder and Japanese chef Nobuo Matsuhisa traveled to Cairo to host an introductory event for local business, culture and lifestyle leaders before the restaurant’s public debut.
Commenting on his time in Egypt, Matsuhisa said it was “wonderful to spend time in Egypt” and praised the country’s warmth, culture and momentum, adding that seeing the vision developed with SODIC taking shape is particularly exciting.
Outside the capital, the partnership is largely focused on the northern Mediterranean coast within SODIC’s 440-acre OGAMI community in Ras El Hekma.
After an initial seasonal success, the North Coast destination is preparing to open for its second season next July, with plans to expand the location into an integrated lifestyle destination featuring a Nobu hotel, a restaurant and luxury branded residences.
According to Ayman Amer, General Manager of SODIC, this multi-project Egyptian expansion represents “an important milestone in our long-term partnership with Nobu and reflects our shared ambition to bring world-class hospitality experiences to Egypt.”
“Together we are creating destinations that seamlessly integrate hospitality, design, wellness and residential living, setting a new standard for lifestyle-led development across the country,” he said in their press release.
The Nobu brand itself grew out of an encounter in 1988 when Hollywood actor Robert De Niro became a regular customer at the Matsuhisa sushi restaurant in Los Angeles. De Niro spent four years convincing the chef to partner with him, which eventually led to the launch of the first official Nobu restaurant in New York City in 1994.
The brand has built its global reputation on Chef Nobu’s signature cooking style, which blends traditional Japanese techniques with Peruvian ingredients.