Nihonbashi celebrates 20 years of inspired Japanese cuisine

By Malik Gunatilleke

Months after being named the Best Restaurant in Sri Lanka for the third consecutive year and being ranked 31 in the list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, Nihonbashi celebrated another special milestone as it turned 20 this week.

Founded in 1995 by Dharshan Munidasa, Nihonbashi marked two decades of serving over a million guests from all around the world. Munidasa, also the founder of several other restaurants in the country including Ministry of Crab and Kaema Sutra, expressed his pride in being able to achieve such longevity in an industry that had gained some notoriety for short-term success in Sri Lanka.

“It’s amazing that we’ve reached 20 years because only a few other restaurants in Colombo have reached this milestone. Over the years, the team at Nihonbashi have gone from strength to strength thanks to your patronage and we look forward to a greater future and bigger things for Nihonbashi,” he said.

He stated that it is for these high standards that Nihonbashi had been recognised around the world for its excellence and had even been invited to cook on multiple occasions in countries such as Dubai, Maldives, and India.

“Nihonbashi has always tried to do something a little less conventional in a country where too often restaurants are happy to mimic a pre-existent model. Not only does Nihonbashi provide authentically prepared Japanese classics, but also pushes the envelope to create new and exciting dishes and combinations of flavours,” he said.

Nihonbashi and Ministry of Crab were named two of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants in March. The list was compiled by William Reed Business Media and created by the Diners Club Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, which consists of a group of over 300 leaders in the restaurant industry across Asia, each selected for their expert opinion of Asia’s restaurant scene. The results are a computation of votes.

Nihonbashi was on the list of esteemed Asian restaurants for the third consecutive year and was ranked 31 while Ministry of Crab entered the list for the first time at No. 43. Furthermore, Nihonbashi received the S. Pellegrino Best Restaurant in Sri Lanka award as well.

In celebration of its 20th anniversary, Nihonbashi will also offer a special Anniversary Bento Box that consists of Maguro Sashimi, Shake Aburi Sushi, Agedashi Tofu, Yasai Gomae, Tensabi Temaki, Chawanmushi, Miso Soup, and Gohan for the months of June and July. Additionally, diners will also enjoy a 20% discount from 28 June to 3 July. Both the Anniversary Bento Box and the 20% offer are exclusively available at the main restaurant (Honten).

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