Nihonbashi By Dharshan — Restaurant in Colombo

A Memorable Experience — for All the Wrong Reasons

After 18 months of living in Sri Lanka and enjoying many great meals, our dinner at Nihonbashi was sadly the worst — and the most expensive — of them all.

We ordered a sashimi platter and a sushi platter. To our surprise, they served red mullet, a very common local fish, which was poorly prepared. The slices still had blood lines and even included the tail section — tough and unpleasant to eat. For a restaurant of this calibre, it was a real letdown. It also seemed like the chef was putting wasabi with a spoon! So much you could se it through the fish.

The maki rolls were shockingly small — unlike anything I’ve seen in any other Japanese restaurant, even casual ones. They seemed more like an afterthought than a proper dish.

Hoping to end on a better note, I tried a yakitori skewer — but the chicken was bland and watery, not marinated. The sauce was equally uninspired. They offer 50% off from 6-9pm on yakitori but oddly enough, only for outside dining.

The service was uncomfortable. One waiter hovered over us constantly, topping up our wine after nearly every sip — which disrupted the meal more than anything. Another waiter dragged his shoes noisily around the dining room, which drove me a bit crazy.

For LKR 80,000 for four people, this was an incredibly underwhelming experience. I expected much more from a restaurant associated with the Ministry of Crab. Unfortunately, I’ll remember this dinner — just not for the...

Nihonbashi delivers an outstanding Japanese dining experience in Colombo. The food is bursting with flavor, and I have to give a special mention to the pork belly, it was simply exceptional, one of the best I’ve ever had anywhere in the world. Every bite felt like a masterclass in how pork belly should be prepared.

The cocktail menu is another highlight. Unlike many places in Sri Lanka where cocktails tend to be light on both flavor and alcohol, Nihonbashi gets it right. The drinks here are strong, well-balanced, and absolutely worth the price. It’s refreshing to find a place where you feel you’re getting real value for your money with every sip.

That said, there are a couple of points to keep in mind. The prices are on the higher side for Sri Lankan standards, but to be fair, the quality of both food and drinks fully justifies it. Also, like in many restaurants across the island, service can be a little slow at times, especially when it comes to drinks. A faster turnaround would take the whole experience to the next level.

Overall, Nihonbashi is a must-visit for anyone looking for top-quality Japanese cuisine paired with great...

We had the pleasure of dining at Nihonbashi By Darshan recently and it was an exceptional experience from start to finish! The food taste was absolutely divine, with every dish capturing the authentic essence of Japanese cuisine. From the freshness of the sushi to the perfectly balanced flavors of the dessert, it was a true culinary delight.

The quality of the ingredients used was evident in every bite – everything tasted fresh, clean, and meticulously prepared. The attention to detail in the presentation was equally impressive. Each dish was beautifully plated, almost too stunning to eat, showcasing the artistry of Japanese food culture.

What truly stood out, however, was the service. The staff were incredibly attentive, knowledgeable, and welcoming. They made sure our dining experience was flawless and also made a nice gesture to celebrate my wife's birthday extra special. Their genuine hospitality made us feel right at home and elevated the overall dining experience.

If you’re looking for a place that offers not just amazing authentic Japanese food but also outstanding service, Nihonbashi is the place to go. Highly...