Few restaurants in and around Colombo can claim to have experienced rapid organic growth in just two to three years of operation, but Mongolian Street most certainly can. They’ve just opened their biggest outlet yet
at No. 318, Torrington Avenue, Colombo 05, and the new outlet is an absolute treat. The brand-new location, which is conveniently situated in the heart of Colombo, features both indoor and rooftop dining areas and embodies the vision and ethos of Mongolian Street. The indoor space can accommodate 10 to 12 people, and each table has its own little nook that has been customised with different themes. Of course, we’re partial to the nook with the press wall, which features framed clippings of newspaper articles about Mongolian Street over the years, proving that we’ve been watching this business grow organically since its humble beginnings. 

Our favourite part of the new location is the rooftop, which is four stories above the indoor dining area and is easily accessed via elevator. The rooftop boasts a panoramic view of Colombo, and having personally witnessed one of the city’s famous tri-coloured sunsets while dining, we immediately fell in love with the space.
It’s the kind of space that invites you to take in the views, enjoy the gentle breeze (which is especially welcome in this heat), and settle in for a long meal. The rooftop space is also available for events and special occasions, and despite the fact that the restaurant has only been open for a mere few weeks, it has already hosted a few celebratory occasions on the rooftop.

For just Rs. 1,490 per person, Mongolian Street offers the venue with an all-you-can-eat action station concept
together with an elevated space for live music and a mock bar. Their most recent collaboration with beverage company Red Bull is also a plus for anyone looking to host an event.

As for the food, fantastic as usual. The menu remains largely unchanged, with their flipside rice and noodle fusion being a customer favourite and, on the side, offering what they do best - stir fry and hot butter. We had their Seafood Flipside Rice, which owner Shevon Perera shares, is especially curated for fitness enthusiasts as it’s protein-packed and made using only a teaspoon of oil. We also had their Chicken Noodle Fusion, which is made with thick, chewy udon noodles tossed in their delicious homemade Mongolian sauce and paired it with their Chillie Chicken Stir Fry and Hot Butter Prawns. While this writer is strictly an HBC enthusiast, Mongolian Street does a mean Hot Butter Prawns that I had to concur were the best hot butter prawns I’ve ever had. 

The prawns were cooked to perfection, with a crispy exterior and a juicy middle that offered the same taste and texture of a well-done HBC. They remain as generous as ever with their portion size but more so with their pricing, which, given the current economic situation of the country, I can’t help but appreciate how affordable their prices are, with dishes starting from Rs. 890 and up. But all of this is what Mongolian Street has been about since its inception. What started out as a passion project in a home kitchen back in 2019, Shevon Perera together with his wife Ronali Goonetileke, opened their first outlet in Chitra Lane back in 2021 and have since organically expanded their business over the last two years. Mongolian Street now has two locations: one in Battramaulla, which opened in September 2022, and their newest (and largest) location in Colombo 05.

“I’m grateful to God for everything, and I believe it’s all because of Him. I’m also grateful to my wife, who has always pushed me to do better. It’s incredible what the right life partner can do for you,” Shevon mused as he shared his thoughts on the restaurant’s growth over the years. As a socially responsible business, Mongolian Street is led by a fantastic team; Shevon treats his employees like family, and they are trained to be very good at what they do. Most of the staff have been given a second chance at life with the opportunity to engage in work following rehabilitation. Shevon is proud that Mongolian Street is more than just a successful business; it is also a place where people can come to work and improve their lives, and adds that “hopefully, they will want to start their own restaurant one day”. He hopes to continue to make a positive impact on his employees and customers alike.

All in all, whether you are looking for a quick lunch, a dinner date with friends and family, or even a great venue for an event, the new Mongolian Street outlet in Colombo 05 is a promising location that offers not only delicious food but also a welcoming atmosphere. With its commitment to empowering its employees and fostering a culture of growth, Mongolian Street is not just a restaurant, but a community hub that values the
people it serves. Come and experience the unique flavours and warm hospitality that make Mongolian Street stand out from the rest.