Your UAE guide to ube โ the Filipino purple yam taking the world by storm. Authentic recipes, ube drinks, and everything you need to know about this vibrant ingredient in Dubai and across the UAE.
Ube (pronounced oo-beh) is a purple yam native to the Philippines. It has a unique flavour โ mildly sweet, nutty, and creamy with hints of vanilla and coconut. Unlike taro or purple sweet potato, ube is the authentic ingredient behind all those gorgeous purple desserts and lattes you see online.
Read the full guide: What is Ube? โ Ube vs Taro โ what's the difference? โ
Ube in Arabic ยท ููุจู ุจุงูุนุฑุจู
In Arabic, ube is known as ุงูุจุทุงุทุง ุงูุฃุฑุฌูุงููุฉ ุงูููุจูููุฉ โ the Filipino purple yam. You may also see it written as ููุจู or referred to as ุงููุงู ุงูุจููุณุฌู. Ube is now available at cafรฉs across Dubai and Abu Dhabi โ and you can order ube powder online for delivery anywhere in the UAE.
Common Question
Is ube the same as taro?
No โ they are completely different. Ube is sweeter, more vibrant, and native to the Philippines.
Its vibrant violet hue comes from anthocyanins โ powerful natural antioxidants. No food dye needed.
Sweet, nutty, and creamy with hints of vanilla. Subtle enough to pair beautifully with almost anything.
Ube menu items grew 230% globally in four years. It is the new matcha โ and it is just getting started.
Tap any recipe to see the full ingredients and steps.
Ube powder whisked into steamed oat or coconut milk.
View Recipe โThe classic Filipino purple yam jam made with condensed milk.
View Recipe โNo-churn, no machine needed. Just three ingredients and a freezer.
View Recipe โThe beloved Filipino soft bread roll reimagined in purple.
View Recipe โUbe drinks are the fastest-growing cafรฉ trend in the UAE right now. From ube lattes to iced ube matcha โ here is how to make them at home in minutes using ube powder.
Whisk 1 tsp ube powder with 2 tbsp hot water into a paste, then pour over steamed oat or coconut milk. A naturally purple latte with sweet vanilla notes โ no dye needed.
โฑ 5 minutes ยท No machine neededMix ube powder with condensed milk and cold oat milk, pour over ice for a creamy, vibrant iced drink. Perfect for the Dubai summer and goes viral every time you post it.
โฑ 3 minutes ยท Perfect for summerLayer ube paste with matcha powder over cold milk for a striking two-tone purple and green drink. A Dubai cafรฉ favourite and one of the most shared drinks on UAE social media.
โฑ 5 minutes ยท Dubai cafรฉ favouriteYou need ube powder to make these at home โ order it online with UAE delivery.
๐ Shop Ube Powder โFrom global chains to local Filipino gems, here are the places serving ube drinks and desserts across the UAE right now.
Full guide: Where to buy ube products in Dubai & UAE โ
๐ Multiple locations across UAE
Starbucks launched its ube range across EMEA in spring 2026, bringing the purple yam to its UAE coffeehouses for the first time.
๐ Dubai
Filipino-owned bakehouse founded by Chin and Cha, serving ube-infused bakes and drinks since 2023. One of the first dedicated ube spots in Dubai.
๐ Dubai
A beloved Filipino home-kitchen brand in Dubai known for using real ube yam rather than artificial flavouring. Popular with Filipinos and locals alike.
๐ Abu Dhabi
Named by Time Out Abu Dhabi as the only cafรฉ in the capital offering ube drinks alongside blue spirulina matcha. Known for visually striking, colourful all-day dining.
๐ Multiple locations across UAE
Costa joined the ube trend in 2026, adding ube-based beverages to its menu across the UK and internationally, including its UAE branches.
๐ Multiple locations across UAE
Pret added ube drinks to its menu in 2026 as part of the global wave of major cafรฉ chains embracing the purple yam trend. Available at UAE locations.