• Latest
  • Trending

Fine dining in Colombo is a culinary adventure

January 2, 2019
Envoy Moragoda bids farewell to Indian NSA and Commerce Minister

Envoy Moragoda bids farewell to Indian NSA and Commerce Minister

October 1, 2023
Lankan Govt to investigate flight of a Tamil judge from the country

Lankan Govt to investigate flight of a Tamil judge from the country

October 1, 2023
What happened to the Kannangara model of education in Sri Lanka?

What happened to the Kannangara model of education in Sri Lanka?

October 1, 2023
Pro-India Solih loses to pro-China Muizzu in Maldivian Presidential poll

Pro-India Solih loses to pro-China Muizzu in Maldivian Presidential poll

October 1, 2023
That Wonder Woman Called Waheeda Rehman

That Wonder Woman Called Waheeda Rehman

September 30, 2023
Is Canada becoming the “new Pakistan” for India

Is Canada becoming the “new Pakistan” for India

September 29, 2023
Maldivians vote today in Presidential runoff election

Maldivians vote today in Presidential runoff election

September 30, 2023
Over 50 killed in blast at Pakistan rally to mark prophet’s birthday

Over 50 killed in blast at Pakistan rally to mark prophet’s birthday

September 29, 2023
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC)

WATCH: Sri Lanka Vs Bangladesh World Cup warm-up match (Live)

September 29, 2023
China

What China’s economic problems mean for the world

September 29, 2023
Haikun: Taiwan unveils new submarine

Taiwan unveils new submarine to fend off China

September 29, 2023
Cricket World Cup 2023

All the squads for ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023

September 29, 2023
  • About Us
  • Advertisements
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
Sunday, October 1, 2023
No Result
View All Result
NewsIn.Asia
  • Home
  • Around South Asia
    • All
    • Afghanistan
    • Bangladesh
    • Bhutan
    • China
    • India
    • Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Nepal
    • Pakistan
    • Sri Lanka
    Envoy Moragoda bids farewell to Indian NSA and Commerce Minister

    Envoy Moragoda bids farewell to Indian NSA and Commerce Minister

    Lankan Govt to investigate flight of a Tamil judge from the country

    Lankan Govt to investigate flight of a Tamil judge from the country

    What happened to the Kannangara model of education in Sri Lanka?

    What happened to the Kannangara model of education in Sri Lanka?

    Pro-India Solih loses to pro-China Muizzu in Maldivian Presidential poll

    Pro-India Solih loses to pro-China Muizzu in Maldivian Presidential poll

    Is Canada becoming the “new Pakistan” for India

    Is Canada becoming the “new Pakistan” for India

    Maldivians vote today in Presidential runoff election

    Maldivians vote today in Presidential runoff election

    Over 50 killed in blast at Pakistan rally to mark prophet’s birthday

    Over 50 killed in blast at Pakistan rally to mark prophet’s birthday

    Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC)

    WATCH: Sri Lanka Vs Bangladesh World Cup warm-up match (Live)

    China

    What China’s economic problems mean for the world

  • World
    • All
    • Japan
    • Russia
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
    China

    What China’s economic problems mean for the world

    Haikun: Taiwan unveils new submarine

    Taiwan unveils new submarine to fend off China

    Saga of the takeover of Kandy seen through British eyes

    Saga of the takeover of Kandy seen through British eyes

    Whatsapp. Image credits - AARN GIRI / Unsplash

    New features introduced in Whatsapp’s latest update

    This dish on Mugaritz's tasting menu is called "Technique: beef contrasts."

    This country has more of the world’s 50 best restaurants than any other

    Nepal

    Nepal breaks several T20I world records in Asian Games

    ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup

    How has ODI cricket changed since 2011?

    More than 100 dead, 150 injured in Iraq wedding fire

    More than 100 dead, 150 injured in Iraq wedding fire

    Biden’s campaign team to prevent him from falling

    Biden’s campaign team to prevent him from falling

  • Business
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
    • All
    • Books
    • Gaming
    • Movie
    • Music
    • Series
    Jawan is releasing on 4000 screens internationally. It is the widest release for an SRK centric film (Credit: Red Chillies Entertainment)

    This actor is so huge his fans lined up at 4.30 a.m. to watch his new movie

    Instagram. Solen Feyissa @solenfeyissa / Unsplash

    New report reveals highest earners from Instagram posts

    Barbie

    Lebanon bans ‘Barbie’ movie

    How I came to love ‘Oppenheimer’ and still detest the bomb

    How I came to love ‘Oppenheimer’ and still detest the bomb

    Rajnikanth

    Back Offices in Chennai, Bengaluru declare holiday on August 10 for Rajnikanth’s ‘Jailer’ movie premiere

    Taylor Swift

    Taylor Swift Seattle concert generates seismic activity

    Actors Emily Blunt (L), Cillian Murphy (centre) and Florence Pugh (R) at the premiere of Oppenheimer. Image credits - Getty Images.

    Hollywood actors announce historic strike

    Hugh Jackman dons classic Wolverine suit in Deadpool

    Hugh Jackman dons classic Wolverine suit in Deadpool 3 first look

    David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan will star in the film, set to come out in 2025. Image credits - Getty Images

    Superman: Legacy finds its Superman and Lois Lane

  • Lifestyle
    • All
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Science
    • Travel
    This dish on Mugaritz's tasting menu is called "Technique: beef contrasts."

    This country has more of the world’s 50 best restaurants than any other

    Biden’s campaign team to prevent him from falling

    Biden’s campaign team to prevent him from falling

    This dish on Mugaritz's tasting menu is called "Technique: beef contrasts."

    The world’s 50 best restaurants for 2023 revealed

    The Upper House (Hong Kong): This beloved Hong Kong classic sits above Admiralty's Pacific Place and features 117 luxuriously-designed rooms. Courtesy Upper House Hong Kong

    World’s 50 best hotels for 2023 revealed

    Indian government’s decision to delay the census raises suspicions, says Lancet

    Indian government’s decision to delay the census raises suspicions, says Lancet

    This airline wants you to travel without clothes

    This airline wants you to travel without clothes

    Sleep. Image credits - Priscilla Du Preez @priscilladupreez / Unsplash

    Diabetes risk increased by 19% due to one common sleeping habit, study finds

    Barcelona. Image credits - Logan Armstrong loganstrongarms

    The best ‘workcation’ cities for remote and hybrid workers around the world

    Child. Image credits - Ippei Naoi | Getty

    Netherlands, home to the world’s happiest kids—6 things parents here never do

    The roots of Chandrayaan 3’s success   

    The roots of Chandrayaan 3’s success   

    Trending Tags

    • Golden Globes
    • Mr. Robot
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Climate Change
    • Flat Earth
  • Tech
    Whatsapp. Image credits - AARN GIRI / Unsplash

    New features introduced in Whatsapp’s latest update

    iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus feature a gorgeous new and durable design, the Dynamic Island, a powerful 48MP Main camera, and A16 Bionic.

    iOS 17 release: See what’s new in iPhone features

    How to erase everything that Google and Facebook know about you

    How to erase everything that Google and Facebook know about you

    Apple

    France orders Apple to halt iPhone 12 sales

    iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus feature a gorgeous new and durable design, the Dynamic Island, a powerful 48MP Main camera, and A16 Bionic.

    Apple debuts iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus

    Apple will host its iPhone 15 launch event called “Wanderlust” in California CREDIT: APPLE INC HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

    iPhone 15 launch (Live)

    Trending Tags

    • Sillicon Valley
    • Climate Change
    • Election Results
    • Flat Earth
    • Golden Globes
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Mr. Robot
  • Coronavirus
  • Videos
  • Home
  • Around South Asia
    • All
    • Afghanistan
    • Bangladesh
    • Bhutan
    • China
    • India
    • Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Nepal
    • Pakistan
    • Sri Lanka
    Envoy Moragoda bids farewell to Indian NSA and Commerce Minister

    Envoy Moragoda bids farewell to Indian NSA and Commerce Minister

    Lankan Govt to investigate flight of a Tamil judge from the country

    Lankan Govt to investigate flight of a Tamil judge from the country

    What happened to the Kannangara model of education in Sri Lanka?

    What happened to the Kannangara model of education in Sri Lanka?

    Pro-India Solih loses to pro-China Muizzu in Maldivian Presidential poll

    Pro-India Solih loses to pro-China Muizzu in Maldivian Presidential poll

    Is Canada becoming the “new Pakistan” for India

    Is Canada becoming the “new Pakistan” for India

    Maldivians vote today in Presidential runoff election

    Maldivians vote today in Presidential runoff election

    Over 50 killed in blast at Pakistan rally to mark prophet’s birthday

    Over 50 killed in blast at Pakistan rally to mark prophet’s birthday

    Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC)

    WATCH: Sri Lanka Vs Bangladesh World Cup warm-up match (Live)

    China

    What China’s economic problems mean for the world

  • World
    • All
    • Japan
    • Russia
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
    China

    What China’s economic problems mean for the world

    Haikun: Taiwan unveils new submarine

    Taiwan unveils new submarine to fend off China

    Saga of the takeover of Kandy seen through British eyes

    Saga of the takeover of Kandy seen through British eyes

    Whatsapp. Image credits - AARN GIRI / Unsplash

    New features introduced in Whatsapp’s latest update

    This dish on Mugaritz's tasting menu is called "Technique: beef contrasts."

    This country has more of the world’s 50 best restaurants than any other

    Nepal

    Nepal breaks several T20I world records in Asian Games

    ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup

    How has ODI cricket changed since 2011?

    More than 100 dead, 150 injured in Iraq wedding fire

    More than 100 dead, 150 injured in Iraq wedding fire

    Biden’s campaign team to prevent him from falling

    Biden’s campaign team to prevent him from falling

  • Business
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
    • All
    • Books
    • Gaming
    • Movie
    • Music
    • Series
    Jawan is releasing on 4000 screens internationally. It is the widest release for an SRK centric film (Credit: Red Chillies Entertainment)

    This actor is so huge his fans lined up at 4.30 a.m. to watch his new movie

    Instagram. Solen Feyissa @solenfeyissa / Unsplash

    New report reveals highest earners from Instagram posts

    Barbie

    Lebanon bans ‘Barbie’ movie

    How I came to love ‘Oppenheimer’ and still detest the bomb

    How I came to love ‘Oppenheimer’ and still detest the bomb

    Rajnikanth

    Back Offices in Chennai, Bengaluru declare holiday on August 10 for Rajnikanth’s ‘Jailer’ movie premiere

    Taylor Swift

    Taylor Swift Seattle concert generates seismic activity

    Actors Emily Blunt (L), Cillian Murphy (centre) and Florence Pugh (R) at the premiere of Oppenheimer. Image credits - Getty Images.

    Hollywood actors announce historic strike

    Hugh Jackman dons classic Wolverine suit in Deadpool

    Hugh Jackman dons classic Wolverine suit in Deadpool 3 first look

    David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan will star in the film, set to come out in 2025. Image credits - Getty Images

    Superman: Legacy finds its Superman and Lois Lane

  • Lifestyle
    • All
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Science
    • Travel
    This dish on Mugaritz's tasting menu is called "Technique: beef contrasts."

    This country has more of the world’s 50 best restaurants than any other

    Biden’s campaign team to prevent him from falling

    Biden’s campaign team to prevent him from falling

    This dish on Mugaritz's tasting menu is called "Technique: beef contrasts."

    The world’s 50 best restaurants for 2023 revealed

    The Upper House (Hong Kong): This beloved Hong Kong classic sits above Admiralty's Pacific Place and features 117 luxuriously-designed rooms. Courtesy Upper House Hong Kong

    World’s 50 best hotels for 2023 revealed

    Indian government’s decision to delay the census raises suspicions, says Lancet

    Indian government’s decision to delay the census raises suspicions, says Lancet

    This airline wants you to travel without clothes

    This airline wants you to travel without clothes

    Sleep. Image credits - Priscilla Du Preez @priscilladupreez / Unsplash

    Diabetes risk increased by 19% due to one common sleeping habit, study finds

    Barcelona. Image credits - Logan Armstrong loganstrongarms

    The best ‘workcation’ cities for remote and hybrid workers around the world

    Child. Image credits - Ippei Naoi | Getty

    Netherlands, home to the world’s happiest kids—6 things parents here never do

    The roots of Chandrayaan 3’s success   

    The roots of Chandrayaan 3’s success   

    Trending Tags

    • Golden Globes
    • Mr. Robot
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Climate Change
    • Flat Earth
  • Tech
    Whatsapp. Image credits - AARN GIRI / Unsplash

    New features introduced in Whatsapp’s latest update

    iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus feature a gorgeous new and durable design, the Dynamic Island, a powerful 48MP Main camera, and A16 Bionic.

    iOS 17 release: See what’s new in iPhone features

    How to erase everything that Google and Facebook know about you

    How to erase everything that Google and Facebook know about you

    Apple

    France orders Apple to halt iPhone 12 sales

    iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus feature a gorgeous new and durable design, the Dynamic Island, a powerful 48MP Main camera, and A16 Bionic.

    Apple debuts iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus

    Apple will host its iPhone 15 launch event called “Wanderlust” in California CREDIT: APPLE INC HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

    iPhone 15 launch (Live)

    Trending Tags

    • Sillicon Valley
    • Climate Change
    • Election Results
    • Flat Earth
    • Golden Globes
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Mr. Robot
  • Coronavirus
  • Videos
NewsIn.Asia
No Result
View All Result
Home Business

Fine dining in Colombo is a culinary adventure

Editor by Editor
January 2, 2019
in Business, China, Food, Lifestyle, Offbeat, Recommend, Sri Lanka, Top Story
Reading Time: 3 mins read
3 0
A A
Share on WhatsApp

By Irfan Husain

Colombo, January 2 (Dawn): With growing investments from Beijing in Sri Lanka, there are now a large number of Chinese businessmen, engineers and tourists in Colombo. Half of them seemed to have been in the Chinese restaurant ‘88’ when we took a Sri Lankan couple there recently. It’s always a good sign to see lots of Chinese diners in one of the restaurants, because it gives the establishment a stamp of authenticity.

However, you can’t have too much of a good thing, as the Chinese tend to be loud and raucous when they are together in groups.

ADVERTISEMENT

However, the food made up for the ambiance. Despite the noise and the air of frantic activity, we had a great meal. The hot and sour soup was especially good, with great depth of flavor; the spicing was well-balanced, and the soup contained lots of tofu.

A quick confession: I was very tempted by the shark fin soup on offer, but the thought of the sharks being used only for their fins, and then to be thrown back into the sea to die, has put me off the dish, even though I used to love it.

While 88 is very much a Chinese restaurant, it offers a range of Far Eastern dishes, including Indonesian, Thai and Malay. We stuck to the Chinese cuisine, however, and had no reason to regret our choice.

We were staying in a small flat in central Colombo that we hired on Airbnb. To our dismay, when we walked in, we discovered that the flat had no kitchen and, as we never use a microwave oven to cook with, we are eating out a lot. Lunch at Noodles, a restaurant in the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, was excellent, even though the place was full of noisy children brought there for a Sunday treat by doting parents. Vietnamese paper rolls and Japanese dumplings were followed by a rich roast duck soup with rice noodles that had slices of duck simmered in chicken stock and leeks.

With Christmas around the corner, the city is lit up and decorated. The lighting at city hall is particularly eye-catching, and a firework display the other night was spectacular. Even though the vast majority of the Colombo population is Buddhist, they celebrate Christmas with a lot of enthusiasm, with hotel lobbies and shopping malls decorated with lights and silver stars. In Karachi, we used to have a similar atmosphere until the mullahs gate-crashed the party.

Colombo’s restaurants have a great variety on offer

The hottest new restaurant in Colombo is L’Epicure where the cooking is at a whole different level. When we asked the manager to convey our compliments to the chef, he replied: “You are looking at him.” Later, it emerged that after many years abroad running restaurants, he had returned to Sri Lanka to open this new establishment. L’Epicure is stylish, with excellent service and great food. So if you are visiting Colombo, this is a place not to miss as there’s nothing like this in Pakistan.

For nearly 20 years, we have been eating at Colombo’s most iconic restaurant, the Café at Paradise Road. This rambling space used to house Geoffery Bawa’s architectural office until nearly the end of his life. My oxtail soup was unctuous and had lots of depth of flavour. My main course of spaghetti with squid ink was perfectly cooked, and the coconut ice cream was creamy and rich.

Another old standby is our favorite Japanese restaurant, the Nihonbashi. The seafood is always fresh, and the presentation spectacular. The executive chef, Dharshan Munidasa, is half-Japanese, and a few years ago, he set up what is perhaps Colombo’s most popular restaurant, the Ministry of Crab. His partners are the legendary Sri Lankan cricketers Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardane. It is impossible to get a table without a reservation made days in advance. It now offers five different time slots for dinner, and still remains constantly full. But having eaten there a couple of times, I can say that it’s worth the wait.

Related Posts

Envoy Moragoda bids farewell to Indian NSA and Commerce Minister
Diplomacy

Envoy Moragoda bids farewell to Indian NSA and Commerce Minister

October 1, 2023
Lankan Govt to investigate flight of a Tamil judge from the country
Crime

Lankan Govt to investigate flight of a Tamil judge from the country

October 1, 2023
What happened to the Kannangara model of education in Sri Lanka?
Education

What happened to the Kannangara model of education in Sri Lanka?

October 1, 2023
Pro-India Solih loses to pro-China Muizzu in Maldivian Presidential poll
China

Pro-India Solih loses to pro-China Muizzu in Maldivian Presidential poll

October 1, 2023
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC)
Around South Asia

WATCH: Sri Lanka Vs Bangladesh World Cup warm-up match (Live)

September 29, 2023
China
Around South Asia

What China’s economic problems mean for the world

September 29, 2023
  • Electricity

    Power cut schedule for today in Sri Lanka: Uninterrupted power supply

    60412 shares
    Share 24187 Tweet 15094
  • Registration open for National Fuel Pass

    6647 shares
    Share 2696 Tweet 1646
  • Foreign Currency Official Exchange Rates from Central Bank of Sri Lanka

    2097 shares
    Share 845 Tweet 522
  • 12 hour water cut in areas of Colombo

    817 shares
    Share 348 Tweet 195
  • WATCH : Yohani’s first live performance in India

    791 shares
    Share 329 Tweet 193
  • About Us
  • Advertisements
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

© 2022 All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Around South Asia
    • Afghanistan
    • Bangladesh
    • Bhutan
    • China
    • India
    • Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Nepal
    • Pakistan
    • Sri Lanka
  • Around The World
  • Breaking News
  • Business
    • Exchange
  • Climate Change
  • Governance
    • Crime
    • Diplomacy
    • Defense
    • Human Rights
    • Politics
    • Strategic Affairs
  • Lifestyle
    • Books
    • Entertainment
      • Arts
      • Cinema
      • Gaming
      • Music
      • Movie
      • Series
      • TV
    • Health
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Travel
  • Culture
    • Ethnicity
    • Gender
  • Development news
  • Economy
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Coronavirus
  • History
  • National
  • Offbeat
    • Media
    • Music and arts across South Asia
  • Recommended
    • Headlines
    • Highlights
    • Top Picture
    • Top Story
  • Religion
  • Science
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Cricket
      • LPL
      • IPL
    • Tennis
    • Formula 1
    • NBA
  • Tech
    • Instagram
  • United Nations
  • Weather
  • World
    • Japan
    • Russia
    • United States
  • Videos

© 2022 All rights reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist