In 1995, with a vision to bridge Japan and Sri Lanka through food, to coin the name for his planned restaurant came easy for Dharshen who was born to parents of Sri Lankan and Japanese origin.
“Nihonbashi”. Literally means Japan- Bridge and that became the name that conveyed his culinary promise; to serve real Japanese food, unapologetically pure and true to the traditions of Washoku.
Chef Dharshan’s journey was thus born from personal passion, to an uncompromising commitment to authenticity, and a deep respect for ingredients. In 1995 at Galle Face Terrace, “Nihonbashi” was thus born.
In his relentless pursuit of promotion and dissemination of Japanese cuisine he stuck firmly to the principles of Washoku resisting trends, choosing not to serve “California Rolls” or fusion adaptations.
Instead, Nihonbashi became a pioneer, introducing Sri Lankan diners to the nuanced flavours, textures, and philosophies of pure and unadulterated Japanese cuisine, from procuring Tsukiji-bound tuna to championing the purity of seasonal ingredients. The restaurant takes great pride in sourcing most of its ingredients locally, given the access to the best fish markets, reserving imports for those exceptional ingredients not found in Sri Lanka.
Over the years, Nihonbashi has evolved into a culinary incubator, giving rise to renowned restaurants like Ministry of Crab, The Tuna & The Crab, Kaema Sutra and Carne Diem Grill, which all have strong influences of Japanese culinary philosophies.
Nihonbashi also has branches in Kandy and the Maldives, extending its philosophy and experience beyond Colombo. Nihonbashi’s new home at Port City features 8 private dining rooms with a mix of Japanese tatami style seating and western style seating: Chikurin (Bamboo Forest), Akamatsu (Red Pine), Bonsai, Ikebana, Samurai, Whiskey, Wine and Sake room, drawing inspiration from Dharshan’s Japanese heritage.
The location exhibits an outdoor bar ‘Lost In Translation’, along with what is possibly the largest Yakitori Grill in the world. The menu features a combination of traditional Japanese cuisine and modern Japanese cuisine, ranging from A5 Japanese Wagyu, Sushi, Sashimi, Tempura, Teriyaki and Nabe,to a wide selection of yakitori, as well as Dharshan’s original dishes such as Olive Oil Kake Tai Cha, Shirunashi Ramen, Karapincha Tempura and Ten Sabi Temaki.
To mark this special occasion of the 30 years of “ bridging Sri Lanka and Japan through food, Nihonbashi has introduced Sushi Sen, an existing new menu concept that reimages the traditional hand roll experience.
Guests become the architects of their own sushi roll, choosing from a selection of 10 mains, 10 vegetables, and 10 amazing sauces, creating a possible combination of 1,000 handrolls. Sushi Sen oeers a fun, interactive, and flavour-packed experience that brings something truly original to Colombo’s dining scene.
Dharshan has won many accolades for his amazing skills. He was conferred “The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays”, one of the highest honours granted by the Japanese Government. He has won global recognition for his expertise and Nihonbashi prides itself in being the first Sri Lankan restaurant on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list, ranking consecutively from 2013 – 2018.
Nihonbashi at 30 is more than a milestone — it is a legacy built on one guest, one dish, and one story at a time.
Dharshan’s mother was seated at the restaurant, she was informed that a journalist has come by – unmoved she continued in her art and expressed so politely her wish to be discreet. It is she who sees to the Ikebana arrangements and some of the rooms are adorned with her creations.
‘gochisou sama deshita’ is what I said in Japanese to my host upon leaving translated into English we say, ‘the meal was lovely, thank you’.
• Dharshan Munidasa, Sri Lanka’s most renowned chef-restaurateur, is the mastermind behind some of the best restaurants in the country including Nihonbashi and Ministry of Crab.
• In 2014 Dharshan established The Tuna & The Crab in Galle; a hybrid Japanese and Seafood restaurant that combines the best of Nihonbashi and Ministry of Crab
• In 2020, Dharshan expanded Nihonbashi to the Maldives, with the launch of Nihonbashi Blue at The Marina @ CROSSROADS the most comprehensive and ambitious integrated leisure and entertainment development undertaken in the country
• Also at CROSSROADS, Maldives is Carne Diem Grill, Dharshan’s unconventional and avant-garde steak house.
