Former Cabin Crew Member Launches Popular Korean Café in Dubai

May 22, 2026

64 min

May 22, 2026 06:30

From the skies to the kitchen: How a former cabin crew member built one of Dubai's favourite Korean cafés

## From Flight Attendant to Café Owner

Jennifer Hsu, originally from Jakarta, transitioned from a career as an Emirates cabin crew member to becoming a successful café owner in Dubai. Her experience traveling across Asia inspired her to bring unique flavors to the UAE.

## Establishing Gato

In 2020, Jennifer and her husband started Gato from their home kitchen. By 2021, they opened their first physical location. Gato, a Korean-inspired café, now operates in two locations: Al Mina and Dubai Creek Harbour Beach.

## Culinary Expertise

Jennifer is a certified pastry chef, having studied baking in Sydney. Her formal training sets Gato apart, offering a menu that reflects her travels and culinary skills. The café's bestseller, salt bread, and the signature vanilla strawberry cake are customer favorites.

## Community Support

Jennifer credits Dubai's supportive environment for her success. The city's openness to new businesses and its vibrant community have been crucial. Despite challenges during the pandemic, loyal customers continued to support Gato, helping it thrive.

## A Unique Menu

Gato's menu includes items like udon carbonara and matcha strawberry cake, showcasing Jennifer's passion for Asian cuisine. The café's name, Gato, is a playful nod to the French word for cake and also means "cat" in Portuguese and Spanish, reflecting Jennifer's love for cats.

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