Serving up something new
In our new column, Shanali Fernando explores some exciting foodie options
Maru Poke Café
For a quick, fresh, and healthy alternative with a twist to the usual Sri Lankan rice and crry, Maru is a (ure) option! Quick: a one-pot meal; fresh: seafood sourced directly from the ocean; healthy: a wholesome meal that includes your choice of carbs and protein accompanied by colourful veggies drizzled and seasoned with your choice of tangy sauces.
Starting from scratch, learning on the job, Rahaal Balasuriya said, “We want to offer a quick and healthy meal that tastes good.” Apart from the in-house favourites, customers can customize and choose the ingredients themselves to BYOB: Build Your Own Bowl. “You can never get bored because you can keep swapping items to create a new bowl every time,” Rahaal adds.
The menu consists of drinks, appetizers, and poke bowls with some fun twists like the Pokerittos and Poke Taco, as well as a kids’ menu and some refreshing healthy ice creams.
Maru recommends:
Kinilaw Prawn Ceviche- a dish containing par-cooked prawns in coconut milk, kithul, red chillies, and narang juice.
Housemade Prawn or Vegetable Gyoza.
Spicy Sira Salmon – Chunks of fresh salmon sashimi accompanied by a variety of fresh and pickled vegetables topped off with seeds, tempura flakes, and tobiko: Flying Fish roe, served with your choice of carb and non-carb options.
Teriyaki Chicken – tossed in a housemade sauce and wasabi mayo, this classic take is topped off with wonton chips for the perfect crunch.
Sticky Tofu Taco- Fried tofu tossed in sticky teriyaki sauce stuffed between a deep-fried nori sheet with sweet corn and tomato salsa.
Find Maru Poke Café at the Galle Fort, Kurumba Bay Weligama, and Nawala. Open – 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Instagram - @marupokeandcafe
Holy Dumplings
Tucked away in the heart of Colombo this space serves a variety of authentic pot sticker dumplings, wontons, noodles, and bao buns. “It is about enjoying Chinese street food in a homely surrounding,” said Jehan Jayakuru explaining the idea behind the café. Holy Dumpling is the love story between him and his wife who met each other while visiting Sri Lanka.
After operating as a cloud kitchen the couple decided to open a place due to popular demand. Customers can choose between chicken, prawn, beef, or tofu and veg with a drizzle of chili oil from the very generous menu.
Holy Dumpling recommends:
Beef Dumplings- a generous portion of 10 potsticker dumplings with soy and sesame sauce
Chicken Wontons with a drizzle of chili oil.
Fresh Prawn Noodles – tossed in a thick homemade peanut sauce; an inhouse special.
Bao Bun with a filling of your choice- a soft steamed bun folded over a flavourful filling that is similar to a Taco, much larger than the usual ones seen on Kung Fu Panda.
Hawaiian Butter Mochi Cake (Gluten-free) – a chewy sweet treat made from Rice flour and coconut, topped with Almonds according to a recipe from the Asians that moved to Hawaii.
Chocolate/Coconut Dumplings-Inspired by the Sri Lankan Kiri Appa, the sweet coconut cream is filled into 4 dumplings and topped off with chocolate chips.
Located at 260/5, Torrington Avenue, Colombo 7 Open from 12 noon-10 p.m. Contact number 077 177 2066 Follow them on Instagram @holydumplinglk
Tabe
Radha Gunasingham-Leanage and Chef Wishmalak Perera believe good ingredients deserve to taste exactly as they are. This respect for quality ingredients play a key role when dining at Tabe. It’s fancy, but approachable, featuring seasonal ingredients and artistic presentation cueing guests into the novelty of a disruptive dining experience while also welcoming them to elevated home-style cooking.
Talking about the edgy space nestled among the treetops of the heart of Colombo the duo said Tabe is all about “finding a moment in the treetops to enjoy a nice meal- it is as simple as that.”
Guests are encouraged to pick from the specials board that is presented upon arrival to experience the twist of Japanese cuisine infused with local produce. We assume minimal-ingredient recipes imply ease, but at Tabe simplicity has a place at the table. “We are all about fresh, unapologetic dishes that push boundaries,” they say.
Located at 29/1/2 Maitland Crescent, Colombo 7 Open from Tuesday to Sunday 3-11 p.m. Contact number 076 614 9710 Follow them on Instagram @tabe.me