Tokyo-Grade Yakitori in Sri Lanka—25 Years of Craft in Every Bite 🍢

Doing a double-take at the familiar KUURAKU sign in Colombo, I could hardly believe it—this yakitori chain, founded in Chiba, Japan in 1999, with Hong Kong branches that always have lines, hiding in a Colombo side street? Stepping inside, warm lanterns and Japanese menus pulled me back: grills sizzled, chefs in white hats turned skewers, and the air smelled of sauce and charcoal. For a second, I thought I was in a Tokyo izakaya. This meal had me slapping my thigh: half the price of Hong Kong, but the flavor s Japan’s soul—especially that okonomiyaki, fluffy as a cloud. Just thinking about it makes me salivate🇯🇵 🏮 Global Chain Cred: 25 Years of Craft, Bringing Ginza Vibes to Colombo KUURAKU’s magic? It carries Japan’s spirit everywhere: From its 1999 Chiba debut to global branches, the yakitori and okonomiyaki recipes haven’t changed—chefs train at the Japanese headquarters, even the sauce follows "Chiba’s original ratio": salty-sweet with a hint of char, the classic Japanese flavor I remember; Colombo’s spot hides in a busy block, small but detailed: Japanese street posters on walls, sake bottles on the bar, staff greeting with "いらっしゃいませ" (welcome), even chopstick sleeves print "" (skewer craftsman). Pure vibe; Locals and Japanese pack the place—next to us, a Japanese uncle (gnawed) chicken skin skewers with Kirin beer; across, a Sri Lankan couple fought over okonomiyaki. No shared language, but "delicious" faces said it all. That’s the power of Japanese food～ 🥢 Must-Order: This Okonomiyaki? Same as Japan’s Izakaya The menu’s short but focused—tried a few, and classics never fail— Okonomiyaki (Osaka-style pancake) is a godsend: Sizzling on the hot plate when served, edges slightly charred, center fluffy as a thick omelet. Spooning into it revealed secrets: octopus chunks inside "burst" with juiciness, cabbage crunched, and the sauce on top mixed with nori and bonito flakes. As the breeze blew, bonito flakes "danced"—the aroma hit hard. Textures layered perfectly: first, soft batter; then, bouncy octopus; next, sauce’s sweet-salt; finally, scraping crispy bits from the plate edge. Compared to Osaka’s version—minus the street grime—it’s nearly identical. No wonder it’s called "a homesick foodie’s comfort"😋 Yakitori (grilled skewers) are a hidden gem: Chefs grill at the open counter—chicken skin skewers charred crispy, oozing oil, crunching on bite, fat mixed with smoke, not greasy at all; chicken thigh skewers juicy, salted just right, addictive plain. Best of all: chicken liver skewers, charred outside, creamy inside like foie gras. A squeeze of lime killed any gaminess—even liver-haters fought over them🍢 💰 Value Bomb: Half Hong Kong’s Price, Even Students Can Feast In Colombo’s pricey Japanese food scene, KUURAKU’s prices are a gift: Okonomiyaki under ¥50, yakitori ¥3-5 per skewer. Two people: 1 okonomiyaki + 4 skewers + 2 beers = ~¥100—nearly half Hong Kong’s cost; Portions shock: Okonomiyaki feeds two, skewers meatier than most spots, chicken skin piles high. Girls full with 1 main + 2 skewers; guys can chow down on skewers; No "internet-famous tax"—no fancy plating, just fresh ingredients and perfect heat. That "honesty" is rare in Colombo. 📍 Practical Tips: How to Eat "Japanese-Style" Location: Search "Kuuraku Japanese Restaurant" on Google Maps—central Colombo, close to sights, perfect post-exploration; Best time: After 7 PM—grill smoke peaks, pair with sake or Kirin for full vibe; Hidden hack: Add cheese to okonomiyaki—melted with octopus, creaminess skyrockets (a little pricier, but worth it!); Cost: ¥50-80 per person—good enough for weekly visits. Leaving, the chef finished the last chicken heart skewer, grill embers still smoking. Suddenly, I got why KUURAKU thrived 25 years—it doesn’t pretend to be "fancy Japanese food," just nails every skewer and pancake, so anyone, anywhere, can taste "home." Craving authentic Japanese in Colombo? This is it. After all, biting into Ginza-style yakitori by the Indian Ocean? That’s a rare joy✨ #ColomboEats #JapaneseFood #Yakitori #Okonomiyaki #SriLankaEats #FoodieFind #ColomboGuide