Our visit to Yoroko was one for the books — and your bucket list.
It’s nestled between the many restaurants located on the 23rd floor of Cinnamon Life, City of Dreams, Colombo’s.
The restaurant’s architecture pays tribute to Japanese culture and history with every corner telling a story. There’s a quiet elegance to the space, with soft lighting, natural wood tones, and thoughtful decor that whisper culture and luxury without feeling over the top. This aesthetic is reflected in the tiniest details from the menu and cutlery to even the wet-wipes. Once you step inside, the restaurant is designed as a portal to the Land of the Rising Sun.
The ambience is somewhat luxurious but homely. They follow an open-kitchen concept where guests can see the busy chefs at work and the dishes come to life. There is a beautiful display of ingredients including vibrant cuts of fish and vegetables and a pretty arrangement of Japanese condiments, spices and grains.
There is ample seating capacity with a private dining room for an intimate dining experience.
All of this overlooking a breathtaking city-view of Colombo.
Chef Raisha Fajar is the chef-in-charge of this establishment. She has years of culinary experience around the world including the world-famous Japanese restaurant “Nobu”. She presented a well thought-out and curated menu featuring an array of signature Japanese dishes.
Beverages
We tried the two mocktails on offer on the menu.
- Mottainai
Coconut milk, coconut vinegar, coconut water, vanilla – Rs. 1,300
This was a creamy combination of Coconut Milk, Coconut Vinegar and Coconut Water with a hint of vanilla. The flavours worked well together. You could call it a coconut lover’s dream.
- Hibana
Chamomile, mango, hot honey, pineapple, pomelo shrub – Rs. 2,800
This was a refreshing mix of fruit and spice. It could even be described as achcharu in a cup. This icy blend was addictive and our favorite out of the two.
Starters
Wakame (G) – Assorted seaweed, lettuce, sesame dressing – Rs. 3,500
We didn’t expect this to be one of our favorites from the starter’s options. It was a vibrant and crunchy mix of greens including a few types of seaweed, avocado and tomatoes. Who knew seaweed could be this good? This made us rethink everything we thought of salads.
Ponzu Cherry Tomato – Rs. 1,000
Yuzu Daikon – Rs 1,000
We tried two of their house pickles from their diverse range. Both were a breath of fresh air to our palate with perfect refreshingly acidic notes. The tomatoes were cooked well and plump. The radish was crispy and zesty.
Gyoza – Beef – Rs 2,400
Gyoza – Chicken – Rs 2,400
The Japanese dumplings were a delight. They were served hot and were packed with flavor. The dumplings had a bouncy coating filled with juicy meat to the brim.
Shirumono Miso Soup – Japanese silken tofu, wakame, green onion – Rs 1,200
The umami-rich miso broth was like a warm hug in a bowl. The tofu was extremely soft and we could tell that the quality is higher than other types of tofu we’ve tried. The dancing bonito flakes added a nice touch.
Salmon Miso Sesame – Hot sesame oil glaze salmon, miso wasabi dressing – Rs 4,800
You can’t go wrong with a good salmon dish. The salmon tasted so fresh and the drizzle of sesame glaze and miso wasabi dressing was a great addition. We savored every bite. This is another must order.
Sushi
If you’re a sushi lover, brace yourself — this section of the meal was a showstopper.
The presentation was so eye-catching and the colours captivated us. But they tasted even better than they looked. Trust us, they were visually stunning on the plate but even more stunning in our mouths.
Volcano – Choice of salmon or tuna tartare, house spicy mayo – Rs 5,500
This had a generous serving of 8 sushi rolls – 4 of which were topped with salmon tartare and 4 with tuna tartare. Both of these types were excellent. There was just the right amount of creaminess and spice from the mayo.
Dragon – prawn tempura, teriyaki sauce – Rs 5,500
This was a beautiful display of sushi rolls in the shape of a dragon. The crispy prawn and the avocado on top was a match made in heaven. The teriyaki sauce added a sweet but savoury touch to it.
ROBATAYAKI – Charcoal Grill
including chicken, beef, shrimp and octopus. They are served on a skewer with your choice of sauce from Black Pepper Teriyaki, Shiro Goma and Spicy Miso.
There were two shrimps on a skewer with a shitake mushroom placed in between offering an interesting play between different textures and flavours. The scallops were bouncy and cooked perfectly whereas the mushroom was juicy. We later were told that the scallops were sourced from Hokkaido which goes to show how far Yoroko goes to ensure premium quality in all their ingredients.
Scallop – Rs 3,900
Eggplant – Rs 1,500
These skewers proved that at times the vegetarian options can steal the spotlight. The eggplant was soft and silky with a bold flavor profile of smokiness and earthiness. You could call these little bites of heaven.
Desserts
The bowls were super clean at the end of this round and was the perfect finish to a perfect meal. Let’s get into it!
Matcha Frozen Mousse with chocolate almond streusel, umeshu chocolate liquor – Rs 2,100
The matcha mousse dome was extremely rich and decadent. We could tell the matcha used was of a high-end standard. The chocolate was bitter yet complimented the dish so well. It was not too sweet and was very light on the stomach.
Black Sesame Namelaka with coconut cream, miso candied cashew nut – Rs 2,100
The black sesame mousse was something unique we tried. It was creamy, light and quite literally everything you’d want in a mousse. It was tucked under a blanket of sweet coconut cream which helped balance out the savoury notes of the black sesame.
Both desserts were applause worthy.
Our Overall Experience
Staff Service – As all employees of Cinnamon Life, the level of customer care was over and beyond amazing. From the first hello to the last good bye, all had cheerful faces and made us feel so welcome. A special shout-out to the waiters who treated us like royalty.
Food – Honestly, we had no critiques. Every dish was expertly crafted and the flavor profiles were built so immaculately in a way where everything just worked. With every spoonful, we understood that the ingredients used were fresh, thoughtfully sourced and of premium quality. We can confidently say that you won’t ever be disappointed with Yoroko.
Prices – This is definitely on the higher end of the scale from a price point perspective. But truthfully, from the quality of ingredients to the level of technicality and skill put in by the chefs, it’s understandable. We recommend this visit as a worthy once-in-a-lifetime experience at the very least.
Closing Remarks – If you’re into Japanese food, Yoroko is definitely a must visit. The food, vibes and service all checked off as excellent on our books. It was truly an impeccable experience and every dish was spot-on.
Opening Hours
6.30 pm – 11pm daily (This restaurant is only open for dinner)
Location – Level 23, Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams, 01 Justice Akbar Mawatha, Colombo 00200
How do I make a reservation?
1. You can make a reservation using the link here.
2. Call 0112 110 000
Find the Menu (with pricing) here.
Note: Please note prices are as at September 2025 and are subject to change.
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