A culinary visionary whose journey is as rich and diverse as the flavours he crafts, Darshan Munidasa is Sri Lanka’s most renowned chef-restaurateur, and the mastermind behind some of the best restaurants in the country. Born in Tokyo to a Japanese mother and Sri Lankan father, Dharshan’s multicultural background laid the foundation for his unique culinary perspective. His academic journey took him to Johns Hopkins University in the USA, where he earned a double degree in Computer Engineering and International Relations. However, it was in his university dorm kitchen that he discovered his true calling – cooking!
In 1995, Dharshan opened Nihonbashi in Sri Lanka, his first restaurant dedicated to fine Japanese cuisine, using local ingredients to create unique masterpieces stemming from Japanese culinary philosophies. This venture marked the start of his culinary empire. Nihonbashi went on to become the first Sri Lankan restaurant to be featured on ‘Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants’ list, a distinction it held from 2013 to 2018. Building on this success, Dharshan joined forces with Sri Lankan cricket legends Mahela Jayawardena and Kumar Sangakkara to open Ministry of Crab in 2011 – a restaurant that celebrates Sri Lanka’s famed Mud Crab. Ministry of Crab quickly rose to international prominence, earning a place on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list from 2015 to 2022. Today, it has expanded globally, with locations in Shanghai, Chengdu, Bangkok, Singapore, Mumbai, Maldives, Kuala Lumpur and Melbourne – taking Sri Lankan cuisine to the world stage and cementing Dharshan’s status as a true pioneer in the culinary world. While expanding Nihonbashi to Maldives he also created Carne Diem Grill, an avant-garde steakhouse with a unique charcoal grill oven engineered by Munidasa himself, that operates at a temperature of 750C, cooking steak in a matter of minutes.
Being of Japanese-Sri Lankan descent, Dharshan’s contribution to Japanese Culture was recognized by the Japanese government, when he was presented with ‘The Minister’s Award for Overseas Promotion of Japanese Food’ for the year 2014. He is also an ambassador for ‘Cool Japan’, appointed by the Japanese government for spreading Japanese culture overseas, and in 2021 he was appointed as a ‘Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador’ by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in Japan, for his continuous effort toward the dissemination of Japanese food and dietary culture overseas. In 2023, Dharshan received the honour of being conferred ‘The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays’ by the Government of Japan in recognition of his distinguished contributions towards promoting Japanese Food Culture in Sri Lanka as well as contributions to enhancing the bilateral diplomatic relationships between Sri Lanka and Japan through ways of cultural exchange.
In 2023, Dharshan Munidasa was awarded “The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays”. The award was conferred upon him in recognition of his distinguished contributions to promoting Japanese Food Culture in Sri Lanka as well as to the bilateral relations between Japan and Sri Lanka.
The order, founded in 1875 by emperor Meiji, is the first national decoration awarded and administered by the Decoration Bureau of the Office of the Prime Minister in the name of the emperor, and is awarded to foreign nationals who have made distinguished contributions to enhancing friendly relations with Japan.
In 2021 Dharshan was awarded the honorary title of “Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador” by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries in Japan, and the first to be appointed from South Asia.
This honour was in recognition of his continuous efforts toward the dissemination of Japanese food and dietary culture internationally. It reflects Nihonbashi’s mission to bridge cultures and foster a deep appreciation for Japanese culinary traditions.
From 2013- 2018
Nihonbashi was the first restaurant in Sri Lanka to be recognized as one of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2013. It was ranked on this prestigious list for 6 consecutive years.
Dharshan has the distinction of being the second chef-owner to have had two restaurants on this prestigious list (with Ministry of Crab being the second).
In 2014, Dharshan was presented the “Minister’s Award for the Overseas Promotion of Japanese Food’ by the Japanese Government, awarded annually to five people across the globe who are high contributors to promoting Japanese food outside of Japan.
In 2023, Dharshan Munidasa was awarded “The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays”. The award was conferred upon him in recognition of his distinguished contributions to promoting Japanese Food Culture in Sri Lanka as well as to the bilateral relations between Japan and Sri Lanka.
The order, founded in 1875 by emperor Meiji, is the first national decoration awarded and administered by the Decoration Bureau of the Office of the Prime Minister in the name of the emperor, and is awarded to foreign nationals who have made distinguished contributions to enhancing friendly relations with Japan.
In 2021 Dharshan was awarded the honorary title of “Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador” by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries in Japan, and the first to be appointed from South Asia.
This honour was in recognition of his continuous efforts toward the dissemination of Japanese food and dietary culture internationally. It reflects Nihonbashi’s mission to bridge cultures and foster a deep appreciation for Japanese culinary traditions.
From 2013- 2018
Nihonbashi was the first restaurant in Sri Lanka to be recognized as one of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2013. It was ranked on this prestigious list for 6 consecutive years.
Dharshan has the distinction of being the second chef-owner to have had two restaurants on this prestigious list (with Ministry of Crab being the second).
In 2014, Dharshan was presented the “Minister’s Award for the Overseas Promotion of Japanese Food’ by the Japanese Government, awarded annually to five people across the globe who are high contributors to promoting Japanese food outside of Japan.
