Japanese restaurant Nihonbashi relocates to port city Colombo

COLOMBO: Renowned Chef Dharshan Munidasa’s prime Japanese dining establishment relocates to Port City Colombo with a grand unveiling. Joined by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the official opening of the restaurant.

Established in 1995 at Galle Face Terrace, Nihonbashi has spearheaded the Japanese culinary scene in Sri Lanka for 29 years, embodying a deep-rooted expertise in Washoku.

Meaning ‘Japan-Bridge, ‘the restaurant’s vision is to connect Sri Lanka and Japan through authentic Japanese gastronomy. This dedication earned Nihonbashi a prestigious spot on ‘Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants’ list continuously from 2013 to 2018, making it the first Sri Lankan restaurant to achieve such recognition.

A trailblazer in promoting Japanese cuisine, Nihonbashi has served as an inspiration for other notable establishments like Ministry of Crab, Kaema Sutra, and Carne Diem Grill, all reflecting Japanese culinary influences.

In recognition of his unwavering commitment to showcasing washoku principles, Chef Dharshan was honored with ‘The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays,’ a distinguished accolade from the Japanese Government.

Nihonbashi’s journey unfolds as it finds its new abode in Port City Colombo, a visionary urban development project poised to redefine lifestyle standards and foster global investments. Positioned as the gateway to South Asia, the city embodies a dynamic blend of services and opportunities.

Embracing a commitment to local sourcing, Nihonbashi proudly selects most of its ingredients from nearby markets, reserving imports for exceptional items unavailable in Sri Lanka. At its new location in Port City Colombo, Chef Dharshan meticulously follows this ethos by prioritizing local materials and sustainable sourcing practices.

Reflecting on the design process, Dharshan says, “As a chef explores for ingredients, I scoured quarries and bamboo forests to craft this Japanese-inspired venue. Every stone, grain of sand, bamboo shoot, and timber piece was carefully chosen to embody the essence of ‘Wa’ – a Japanese design philosophy synonymous with perfection found in imperfection, known as Wabi-Sabi.”

The restaurant’s ambiance features eight private dining rooms blending Japanese tatami and Western seating styles, such as Chikurin (Bamboo Forest), Bonsai, Ikebana, Samurai, Whiskey, Wine, Sake room, and Tachinomi Bar, paying homage to Dharshan’s Japanese heritage.

Noteworthy attractions include an outdoor bar and what may be the world’s largest Yakitori Grill. Chef Dharshan remarks, “There is no parallel to this restaurant worldwide, not even in Japan. Our unique process of menu creation preceding kitchen design, coupled with our predominant use of Sri Lankan materials, sets us apart.” – Chef Dharshan Munidasa, the visionary behind Nihonbashi and Ministry of Crab.

The menu features a blend of traditional and modern Japanese cuisine, spanning from A5 Japanese Wagyu, Sushi, Sashimi, Tempura, Teriyaki, and Nabe to an array of yakitori selections, alongside Dharshan’s signature creations like Olive Oil Kake Tai Cha, Foie Gras No Teriyaki, Karapincha Tempura, and Tensabi Temaki. Nihonbashi at Port City Colombo stands poised to elevate the local dining scene, serving as a hub for global collaborations with esteemed chefs and mixologists worldwide, aimed at crafting unforgettable experiences for both local diners and tourists exploring Colombo.

FACT BOX: The restaurant is open daily for dinner from 5pm to 10pm (last order). For reservations contact +94 77 936 0250 or email reservations@nihonbashi.lk

Akanksha Dean is an independent chef & food & travel writer. A a catalyst and an events specialist, she is the first Indian to have been trained at Osteria Francescana, in Modena, Italy, rated as the world’s best restaurant in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, in 2016 and 2018 and currently in the Best of The Best Category.