From shawarmas to karak: Everyday joys in UAE to cost more amid fuel price hikes, inflation

From shawarmas to karak: Everyday joys in UAE to cost more amid fuel price hikes, inflation

Eateries have increased prices of popular food items

Published: Mon 6 Jun 2022, 3:25 PM

Outside a popular cafeteria in Dubai, a group of people huddled around their karak tea had furrowed brows. They had just shelled out an extra 50 fils for their cup of tea — an affordable everyday joy.

Long sold for Dh1, its price went up to Dh1.50 earlier this year. And some eateries have hiked it further to Dh2 after fuel costs went up.

Prices of other everyday food items have gone up, too. Here are five such joys that cost a wee bit more:

1. Karak: Long considered one of UAE’s favourite drinks, karak chai has become more expensive in several places. Some cafeterias that had not raised their prices earlier now charge Dh1.50, while others have taken the price of their Dh1.50 karak to Dh2.

“It is a shame,” said Ashish, a Karama resident. “I drink about 5 cups of karak every day. It is definitely going to pinch my monthly budget. However, I understand that restaurants have no other options. The price of fuel has gone up and so has the price of sugar. So, I am just going to consider drinking one cup less of karak.”

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