Sri Lankans love their Chinese food. And by this, I don’t mean authentic Chinese food but the fried rice, chillie paste and chicken in a savoury gravy. So it comes as no surprise that 168 Emperor’s Express is growing to be a favourite restaurant in the Dehiwala area.

Having opened just a year ago, the restaurant was known as Shangri-La Express and changed the name four months ago.  The Food Factor paid the restaurant a visit and spoke to Keith Isaacs, Operations Manager at 168 Emperor’s Express.

Not just focusing on Chinese food alone, the restaurant also serves popular Asian favourites for lunch and dinner everyday.

The restaurant recently celebrated their first anniversary and tell the Food Factor that the response has been marvellous over the past year. “We do not serve authentic Chinese food but more Chinese food to suit the Sri Lankan palate. It appears to be quite popular in Sri Lanka.

We try to introduce new items to the menu quite regularly in addition to various promotions,” said Keith Isaacs. If you choose to dine at 168 Emperor’s Express, take note of the popular dishes there, which include the Thai Style Mango Salad, Manchurian Chicken, Hot Butter Mushrooms, Seafood Tom Yam Soup, Singapore Chillie Fish and Prawn Balls. 

Sri Lankan rice and curry was introduced to the menu a month ago, serving chicken, beef, vegetable, fish and egg lunch packets.

168 Emperor’s Express also does delivery within the Moratuwa and Bambalapitiya area, charging a very nominal fee. There is no minimum order for delivery and the hotline is 0777772622. The restaurant is in the process of receiving their Halal certificate. It is advisable to make a reservation to avoid disappointment.

168 Emperor’s Express is located at No.28, Hill Street, Dehiwala and they are open from 11AM-3PM for lunch and 6PM-11PM for dinner everyday including public holidays. They can be contacted on (011) 2717078 and [email protected].

By Sarah Kellapatha

Photos by Pradeep Dilrukshana