Nihonbashi | Restaurant Review

The authentic restaurant that treats Japanese food like a philosophy

Nihonbashi stands out as one of the oldest Japanese restaurants in Colombo that serves truly authentic Japanese cuisine. In English, ‘Nihonbashi’ literally translates to ‘Japan Bridge’ which is a reflection of the owner, Dharshan Munidasa’s mixed Japanese and Sri Lankan heritage. Closing in on almost 30 years of experience after opening in 1995, they have many seasoned tricks up their sleeve. This is a testament to the quality of the food and the dedication of the owner, Dharshan Munidasa as well as his team in providing a truly unique dining experience. After a brief conversation with Dharshan, I had a deepened appreciation for the restaurant and the passion behind the work that goes into making it such a great place to dine.  

 

Appetisers

Ten Sabi Temaki – LKR 1,300 (4/5)

The Ten Sabi Temaki isn’t assembled like your usual sushi, therefore it didn’t taste like any other sushi either. Instead of traditionally rolling the rice and filling onto the nori sheet, the filling was simply placed inside the nori sheet and wrapped loosely around it. The crunch of the fried prawn as well as the nori sheet added texture to the cool and soft Japanese rice. There was also the matter of the wasabi incorporated into the sushi instead of being served separately, which added an extra kick to the dish’s overall taste. 

Karapincha Tempura – LKR 1,000 (5/5)

If Sri Lankan and Japanese cuisine had a baby, that baby’s name would be ‘Karapincha Tempura’. This signature dish highlights a herb used heftily in Lankan dishes – the karapincha or curry leaf. The leaf is fried in a Japanese tempura batter and the result is a crunchy, light and nutritious appetiser that you should definitely try out!

Olive Oil Kake Tai Cha – LKR 3,200 (5/5)

This was one of my favourites, not only for its taste, but also because of the out-of-the-box way in which it was prepared. It was served as a bowl of rice, topped with Tai sashimi slices and a single raw egg yolk. However, it’s only after hot olive oil seasoned with garlic was poured on top of the dish, that it was ready for a bite. The heat of the oil lightly cooked the egg yolk as well as the sashimi, giving it a more earthy and rich flavour. The end result was a creamy and delectable rice combo that was one-of-a-kind. 

Ika Peperoncino – LKR 5,060 (3/5)

Depending on how daring you are in trying seafood, by all means, give this dish a try. It was prepared by having raw squid placed around the bottom of a flipped clay pot, and having the squid cooked slightly by pouring hot olive oil over it. This recipe was seemingly so simple that we wondered if it was too simple, or if that was just the way the Japanese preferred it. In the end, you’re left with lightly cooked squid that is moist and chewy, with just the seasoning of the olive oil and the spices incorporated into it. 

 

Mains

Shake No Aburi Sushi (2 pieces) – LKR 1,600 (5/5)

The Shake No Aburi Sushi is yet another shining example of the signature dishes at Nihonbashi being absolutely delectable. ‘Shake No Aburi Sushi’ translates in English to “blow torch sushi”, and that should give you a good indication of how it is prepared as well. The marinated Norwegian salmon was blow torched to lightly melt away the fat, leaving a rustic and charred taste. This was one of my favourite dishes and something I would recommend to anyone dining at Nihonbashi!

Chicken Teriyaki Burger – LKR 1,999 (4.5/5) l Pork Teriyaki Burger – LKR 3,161 (5/5)

If you’re anything like me, you’re probably surprised and maybe even a little suspicious about what ‘burgers’ are doing in an authentic Japanese restaurant. However, these burgers are simply homage to the Japanese ‘wafu’ burger. The word chicken ‘teriyaki’ already means meat that’s topped with thick and tangy sauce. This dish is a local Japanese twist on a mainstream Western street food and we are here for it! 

While both the chicken and pork options had the same sauce, they varied in texture and taste. The chicken was lighter on the seasoning and the chicken patty was softer as well. In contrast the pork was heavier on the seasoning and complemented the teriyaki sauce much better. Personally I liked the pork option better than the chicken.

Vegetable Okonomiyaki Burger – LKR 1,990 (5/5)

‘Okonomiyaki’ is a type of savoury pancake in Japan, which usually consists of cabbage and other vegetables mixed with your usual pancake mix. This prominent street food has made its way between two burger buns of Nihonbashi and I for one am delighted. Of all the special Nihonbashi burgers we had, this one was the juiciest and probably my favourite! It was a crunchy, savoury and messy ordeal, but worth all the mess in the end. 

 

Sides

Buta Kakuni – LKR 1,897 (5/5)

Kakuni is a traditional Japanese braised pork dish that translates in English to “square simmered”. At Nihonbashi, one portion of Buta Kakuni will get you 8 chunky pieces of rich pork. While the texture of the meat was soft and supple, the natural fat from the pork added ease to breaking down each piece and enjoying each bite. Another surprising factor was the subtle sweetness of the pork which I didn’t expect but gladly welcomed. 

 

Desserts

Kuro Goma Ice Cream – LKR 1,000 (5/5)

In all transparency, it is quite a task to describe this signature Nihonbashi dish but that’s probably because I’ve never tried ice cream made of black sesame seeds before! The key ingredient was the roasted Japanese sesame seeds which has a darker and almost nutty flavour. It had the rich and earthy taste of dark chocolate but didn’t lack in terms of sweetness either. 

 

Drinks 

Green Tea – LKR 1,265 (5/5) 

Japan has a history of serving hot green tea before and after meals as a must-have beverage. And so to completely immerse ourselves in the experience, green tea was served first. Sipping the tea was calming and complimented the tranquil interior of Nihonbashi which was clearly aimed at creating a zen space to enjoy a good meal.  The Japanese believe green tea to have a plethora of benefits including easy digestive properties, which makes it the perfect drink to have at the start of your meal. 

 

Ambience 

The simplicity of the interior was complemented by traditional Japanese design elements like paintings, tatami seating (ground seating) and so much more! The emphasis on privacy also adds to the sense of tranquillity and exclusivity that you experience while dining there. The staff was very welcoming and guided us through the authentic Japanese menu. Overall, it seems like the Nihonbashi restaurant offers a one-of-a-kind dining experience that transports you to a chic and sophisticated Japanese setting.

If there’s one thing I learnt from dining at Nihonbashi, it’s that Japanese food and truly authentic Japanese food are two completely different things. 

The post Nihonbashi | Restaurant Review appeared first on Pulse.