What - Nippon Rolls
Where - 123, Kumaran Ratnam Rd, Colombo 2 
When - Open everyday

Today on WTF, I went to check out the place which my mom had praised. When I was a kid, I remember going to Infant Jesus Church and stopping by to enjoy the hot hot rolls.  

The building which dates back over 130 years, Hotel Nippon, has been around for a while. In fact, I believe it was one of the first 5 hotels in Sri Lanka amongst the likes of The Grand Oriental Hotel, The Galle Face Hotel and The Grand Hotel in Nuwara Eliya.

Even though a lot has changed since its inception, and even though the initial theme and food styles may have altered over time, there's one thing that has remained rock solid and unchanged - the recipe of the Nippon Rolls. Every time you bite into it, you go back to your childhood.  When my mom got married and went off to Jaffna one of the things she missed a lot was this, mummy always said. 

I got a chance to chat with the Managing Director - Vishnu V. Vethody, who is super passionate about taking this brand to the other level. Speaking to him about the brand, I was told,

"There's one thing that has remained rock solid and unchanged - the recipe of our Nippon Rolls. Especially the Nippon Mutton Rolls. It has been overwhelming to hear the stories that have been related to me over the last couple of months. 
People get absolutely nostalgic and swear that the first bite of the Mutton Roll just takes them decades back into their past, to some of their fondest memories. Almost all the stories begin with 'When I was a kid...' and end with '...I am so happy that these rolls are back.' 
I can't describe how touching it is to hear these stories and how lucky I (and the rest of my family) feel to be a part of this legacy that my grandfather, the late Vethody Kumaran, left behind. It's truly amazing."

Next up, we were left speechless at the Bamboo Room, the food was so good that we had the entire thing! Here they serve authentic Kerala cuisine and traditional Sri Lankan food along with other Continental and Middle Eastern varieties which will be added on in time to come. The Chefs from Kerala who provide Kerala snacks and meals have really done justice to the food - the Beef Varatal (Poriyal) is to die for!  
They are open till 10 p.m. So do try it out, especially their parata! 

A little bit about this place - The building was first built as Manning Mansions; apartments for the British during their rule. It was then converted to Hotel Polski briefly and then Hotel Nippon. Since the civil unrest in the 1980s and the ethnic conflict that followed, the hotel had fallen into a state of dormancy and mismanagement. However, since the end of the war in 2009 and the following tourism boom, it was blatantly time to put in work into the once glorious Hotel Nippon and revive its true standards. It is currently owned by 4 brothers - Mr. V.K. Chandrasena, Mr. V.K. Vasan, Dr. V.K. Valsan and the late Mr. V.K.  Prasannan (all sons of the late Mr. Vethody Kumaran).

Dr. V.K. Valsan spearheaded the renovation and refurbishment and has gone through more than a few sleepless nights in an effort to restore Hotel Nippon back to its former glory. 

Nippon is now open for business and has undergone a complete renovation. Whilst maintaining the old exterior, the interior is all brand new, apart from a few ornamental and iconic pieces from its past.

It has 

49 bedrooms. 
1 bar called The Cabinet (as in liquor cabinet)
1 restaurant - The Bamboo Room 
1 pastry shop - the KAFÉ 
1 small banquet hall for smaller functions and conferences (up to 60 pax), called Crimson 123.
 
I just relived history – let us know about the place after you visit it. 

Today on WTF 
Photographs and video  by – You’re my Favourite 
Hair and Make up – Capello Salons
Transport Partner – PickMe
Outfit – LOVI
T-Shirt – JUMP