Ten Sabi Temaki- Lil bit hot, lil bit cold, original fusion dish from Nihonbashi

Temaki Sushi also known as hand roll sushi is one of the easiest styles of sushi to make. It is simply easy to hold, difficult for the contents to spill while eating, and can be exquisite looking when filled with a variety of ingredients.
The Ten Sabi Temaki is a Nihonbashi original Roll. It’s a fusion of sushi and tempura, where wasabi-mayonnaise is folded into sumeshi (sushi rice i.e vinegard rice) where a whole crispy Black Tiger prawn Tempura is individually wrapped to a cone. It has become one of the favourites among the Japanese & non Japanese guests alike who patronage the restaurant.

This hand roll, initially served without a name for about six months, was later named after the Tempura (ten) Sabi from wasabi and the method of rolling Temaki (hand roll)

Dharshan the owner of Nihonbashi add that the warmth of the prawn gives wings to the mayonnaise and there are several temperatures and textures in this one dish.
So whenever you make a visit to Nihonbashi restaurants located at No.11, Galle Face Terrace, Colombo 03 or Hilton Colombo Residence, don’t forget to have a crispy Ten Sabi Temaki enjoying the hot and cold mix of tempura and sushi rice, and feel the mayo vapours leaving the sushi to play havoc with sense of smell and most importantly its taste.

By the way, if you like to know how to prepare this special dish at home do drop an email to info@nihonbashi.lk or call Nihonbashi on 011-2323847.

World Famous Batter Fried Dishes from Nihonbashi

Crunchy and crispy, Tempura is a very popular food in Japan, as well as one of the best known around the world which was introduced by the Portuguese traders in the 16th century and since then, the Japanese have transformed it into something uniquely their own using creativity.

Good Tempura is a dish of seafood or vegetables that have been battered and deep fried. While shrimp continues to be the dominant ingredient, a large number of vegetables including broccoli, okra, eggplant, squash, mushroom and sweet potato are now quite common.

Inspired fine Japanese cuisine in Colombo, Nihonbashi’ main restaurant serves a variety of dishes such as Ika Ten [soft and not rubbery premium squid tempura], Agedashi Tofu [deep fried tofu with tentsyu and bonito flakes], Ebi Ten [black tiger prawn tempura], Yasai (vegetable) tempura, Kaki Age tempura [vegetable julienne batter fried in the tempura pan in circular clumps which is crunchy and enjoyed with lime salt]. What’s more, at Nihonbashi tempura lovers can even find crispy Karapincha and Gotukola tempura bringing a truly Sri Lankan touch for world famous batter fried dishes.

Cooked bits of tempura are either eaten with dipping sauce [tensui] or used to assemble other dishes and is commonly served with grated daikon and eaten hot immediately after frying. Tempura Mori Awase is such an assortment of seafood and vegetables at Nihonbashi.

Tempura is also used in combination with other Japanese food. Nihonbashi serves over soba (buckwheat noodles) known as tempura soba or tensoba. You can even get it served as a donburi dish where tempura shrimp and vegetables are served over steamed rice in a bowl (tendon) and on top of udon soup (Tempura Udon).

Customers can even find non traditional and fusion uses of tempura at the Tempura Bar at Nihonbashi Hilton Colombo Residence outlet where, although an unusual dish, Tempura Ice-cream have gained popularity among everyone who comes.

It should be remembered that the quality of the Tempura depends on the quality of the ingredients, thickness and temperature of the batter, the temperature of the oil, frying time and especially the length of time from the time it is served to when it is consumed! Tempura after frying has a life span of 10 seconds to 45 seconds and due to this reason Tempura restaurants in Japan have counters where the frying takes place in front of the guest. In a similar manner, Nihonbashi Tempura Bar can be found at the Hilton Colombo Residence giving Sri Lanka better tempura.

Don’t forget that whenever you are in a mood for something with a difference yet tasty, Tempura can be an ideal dish so why not drop into Nihonbashi’s main restaurant at No.11, Galle Face Terrace or visit Nihonbashi Tempura Bar at the Hilton Colombo Residence where the chef prepares fresh tempura right in front of you. Reservations/ inquiries are just a call away on 011-2323847.

For the sheer pleasure of Vegie Lovers....

Japanese food is well known around the world for its unique taste and there’s always something to delight every one’s varied lifestyles.  Although popularly known for sushi and sashimi or rather sea food, historically, Japanese cuisine has been one of the greatest and undoubtedly healthiest vegetarian cuisine in the world thanks to tofu, miso, soba so on and on.

Fresh vegetables have always been important in Japanese cuisine, with meals representing the seasonal changes of the country. Rice of course is the staple food of Japan, followed by the second most popular menrui (noodles).

Inspired fine Japanese cuisine in Colombo, Nihonbashi restaurants offer a wide array of mouthwatering and delectable dishes for the sheer pleasure of our vegetarian guests.

With edamame (imported Japanese soya bean pods) or tofu as an ideal starter, to garlic rice or vegan chahan (Japanese fried rice), to vegetable tempura dishes adding to it karapincha and gotukola, and to noodles and other vegetarian set menus, indulge yourself in a truly magical Japanese feast.

Upon special request to our waiters, you can even order certain non-veg items such as okonomiyaki to be to be prepared for your veggie preference. 

So if you want to embark in a vegetarian culinary journey in a Japanese style, don’t forget to drop in to Nihonbashi restaurants. Nihonbashi at the Galle Face Terrace-Colombo 03 is open daily for lunch from 12:00noon to 2:30pm and dinner from 6.30pm to 10.30pm. Reservations are just a call away on 011-2323847.