Located at the Nicolway Shopping Centre in Bryanston is the popular, much-loved and award-winning Ukkō restaurant. 

With mouth-watering dishes, great service and an interior adorned with warm wooden tones and shades of turquoise, the restaurant is a paradise for foodies and aesthetic enthusiasts alike. But who is the face behind this thriving establishment and what fuels his passion? 

Born and bred in Jordan, in the Middle East, Mun Manal is a seasoned restaurateur with over two decades of experience. The 40-year-old businessman has previously operated other establishments including Mezepoli and Plaka Group. Ukkō is his latest solo adventure. 

Growing up in a family of nine children, Manal was the fifth child. He found himself in the food business in his late teens. 

“During that time, my older siblings and I did not really go to school. We were all more into business and trying to hustle. We ended up doing different things and mostly it was around food and restaurant service. Our passion and expertise have always been around food and serving people. And that’s what I’ve done for the last 20 years plus,” he explained.

Manal further highlighted that two of his older siblings are also still in the food business, while his younger siblings were able to go into other career fields as a result of getting better opportunities to study and graduate.

“The environment allowed them to,” he said. “We stuck to the restaurant business. I mean, 20 years later, why do something else when you can do very well in what you know?” 

While the restauranteur first entered the food industry solely for income and as a means for survival, food and service have become his passion over the past 23 years. With extensive knowledge and expertise, he was very intentional when opening Ukkō. From the interior design to each dish on the menu, everything was well thought through.  

“In South Africa, open, airy and light-coloured restaurants work very well. The South African market tends to receive those kind of spaces a lot better than dark-looking stores which are closed off”. 

When asked about his preferred meal of choice from Ukko’s delectable menu, fish was Manal’s simple and effortless answer. 

“I’m very big on seafood. We prepare the fish in a very simple and basic way that still holds all the flavours. It’s also one of our best sellers; flame grilled with olive oil, lemon and salt,” he added. 

As successful and experienced as he is, the restaurant founder has made excellence his brand and continues to strive towards it. This is a common thread that can be seen throughout his life and business. It is also what fuels his passion on a daily. 

“I would call myself a perfectionist. It might be my downfall at some point but there needs to be excellence and you need to be great at what you do. 

The adrenaline rush I get from being in this space is something I look forward to each day. When I come into this store, I look for ways to be better.”

As the brains behind his eatery, mediocrity is never an option for Manal. He is well aware of the huge difference between average, good and great businesses. As such, there is no need to settle for good when you can be great. 

When he’s not operating a thriving restaurant, he can be found in the gym as he is a firm believer in the saying ‘heath is wealth’.  

“Being at the gym helps me de-stress and helps my mental well-being. Being healthy is more of a must rather than just a hobby”.

The Ukkō owner also shared that he enjoys reading books about business and the service industry, although his tight schedule does not always allow ample time for reading. 

“I listen to a lot of life coaches like Jordan Peterson and stuff that teaches you about life. You might be stuck in wanting to learn everything from a business book not realizing that you need to understand the human element of it,” he added.

While a quick glance at the excellent concept of Ukkō and the warm welcome it received may easily warrant one to think it’s a great franchise idea, the seasoned restauranteur begs to differ. 

“I don’t believe that every successful concept is franchise-able. Not every successful idea is replicable. There is a specific element of attraction to every restaurant at a specific location operated by certain key individuals,” said Manal.

“It’s a lot more than the food. A restaurant is run by personality. I’m not saying there’s nobody else who can run the business very well, but it’s very hard to replicate the personality of the business.”

Nonetheless, he revealed that a new site is currently in the works. Although it is a different concept, it will also be underpinned by excellence and a meticulous standard. 

“What I can assure you is that when people walk into the new place, they will feel the same culture and warmth that they would feel at Ukkō”.