Sake Colombo by Tsukiji Uoichi is by no means a new entry to the Japanese food scene in Sri Lanka; the restaurant first opened its doors back in 2010 and the ‘Tsukiji Uoichi’ brand is a well-known chain of Japanese restaurants in Tokyo. It has, however, recently come under new management, undergone rebranding and upgrading to operate as the newly reopened ‘Sake Colombo’ today.

The restaurant is housed in the historic Arcade Independence Square building, and both the building’s past and its traditional facade complement the aesthetics associated with Japanese cuisine and culture. Director and Owner of Sake Colombo, Shiromi Nanayakkara shared that they are thrilled to restore the brand back to its former glory, adding that “the response since we’ve taken over the restaurant a year ago has been amazing, we’ve seen our business increase tenfold and we have managed to build a very loyal customer base in such a short amount of time.”

Sake Colombo’s newly updated menu now includes a variety of options to choose from, including soups, appetisers, salads, sushi rolls, nigiri & sashimi, tempura, donburi, bento boxes, rice and noodle dishes, and much more. High-quality ingredients are at the heart of Sake Colombo’s extensive menu and over 90% of the ingredients used at the restaurant are imported, with a special focus on bringing in fresh, graded fish of the highest quality such as Norwegian salmon as well as Japanese sticky rice, noodles and flour, which are the mainstay of all Japanese foods.

“We offer authentic Japanese food to our customers and they always commend us for it. But at the same time, we are open to adjusting our dishes to a customer’s preference as well, should they ask for it. The fact that a customer can enjoy a dish they love, specially tailored to exactly how they would like it - that’s what keeps
them coming back.” Giving us a glimpse of what Sake Colombo has to offer, this is what we had at the restaurant: 

Salmon & Avocado Salad

The Japanese style Salmon & Avocado salad included cubed raw salmon tossed in avocado, iceberg lettuce, tomato, onion and cucumber, tied together by a spicy mayo dressing. Though the dish is not one we would particularly associate with Japanese cuisine, the combination of fresh salmon and creamy avocado was a satisfying texture and the spicy mayo dressing added a kick of flavour that made for an overall, refreshing salad.

Yakisoba

This Japanese stir-fried noodle is a classic dish that’s seasoned with a sweet and savoury sauce. The chicken yakisoba at Sake Colombo was quite nice, packed with chicken and vegetables. However, it wasn’t anything special and given that they have other great dishes on the menu, we would recommend trying something else. The yakisoba was satisfying, but it didn’t stand out compared to the rest. 

Nigiri Platter

This platter was one that allowed us to have the best of everything. The platter included 6 nigiri and 6 sushi rolls of two varieties. The nigiri had a slice of each; tuna, salmon, prawn, shiromi (white fish), eel and tomagoyaki (egg). The nigiri was well crafted with each piece showcasing the delicate flavours of the different types of fish. The sushi rolls, avocado and salmon, were also well prepared, maintaining the fish to rice ratio just right. 

Prawn Tempura

The crispy prawn tempura was a great start to our meal. The prawns were perfectly cooked, with a light and crispy batter that added a delightful crunch to each bite. The accompanying dipping sauce provided a tangy and savoury contrast, enhancing the overall flavour of the dish. 

Pork Miso Ramen

Very few places in Colombo serve ramen, and of those that do, only a handful can get it right. The Miso Ramen at Sake Colombo is one of their best-selling dishes, and after trying it out ourselves, we say rightfully so. The dish is a bowl of pure comfort. The broth is rich and flavourful, with just the right amount of umami from the miso. The noodles are perfectly cooked and chewy in texture, and the slices of tender pork belly simply melted in our mouths. Paired with seaweed and jammy soft-boiled eggs, this ramen was an absolute delight to eat, we couldn’t help but slurp up every last drop of the savoury broth. It’s no wonder why the Miso Ramen at Sake Colombo is a crowd favourite—it truly delivers on taste and comfort. It’s also an incredibly filling meal, and we barely had room for any more food after devouring the ramen. 

Overall, we had a lovely meal at Sake Colombo and we enjoyed what the revamp of the restaurant had to offer. The variety of dishes on the menu catered to different tastes and makes for a great dining option for everyone. The restaurant has its own beverage license and serves sake, but it is also BYOB. The ambience at the restaurant was inviting, and the service was very attentive, we had a wonderful server called Johanne who was very helpful with his recommendations and service.

PHOTOS Nisal Baduge