Makotoya (One Galle Face).

The throng of restaurants in One Galle Face had been able to cover all the bases, so there's something for everyone, and Makotoya is the Japanese/Ramen counterpart of it. 

Food

Most of the ingredients they've got here are flown all the way from Japan, and the food is cooked by Japanese chefs. Aside from ramen, they also do a few rice-based specialities like donburi and fried rice, as well as a range of classic Japanese appetisers. 

At Makotoya, you can customise your bowl of ramen. They have the standard items but you can pick the meat, choose extra ingredients, and adjust the spicy level of the broth, as well as the boiling level (hard, soft, medium) for the noodles. For this Akauma Gyu (Rs. 2300), we decided to go with chicken as the choice of meat, along with a soft boiled egg, hard-boiled noodles and as per the recommendation of our server, selected the level of spiciness as 3. 

The broth was pure beefy goodness as promised and had a light texture. Slightly chewy as it had been hard-boiled, the noodles were incredibly flavourful, thanks to having absorbed all the flavours in the broth. There were generous amounts of chicken adding a hint of smokiness to the flavour profile, while the paprika spicing it up. 

Coupled with seaweed and sliced up scallions which improve the texture and flavour even more, it was a bowlful of warmth that satiates both Sri Lankan and Japanese palates. 

This is the Makotoya Tandan-Men (Rs. 1900) which was my personal favourite out of the two. Strong and aromatic, the flavour play here was simply brilliant, as it features a chicken bone broth that had been enriched with Tandan sesame paste, lots and lots of minced pork and a dash of paprika. Plus, it's texture was a lot creamier and heavier than the Akauma Gyu. 

Having encapsulated this steller set of flavours, the soft-boiled noodles were absolutely flavoursome too. 

The Karaage Donburi (Rs. 1200) was simple. Producing the most satisfactory crisp, the batter on the chicken was perfect, leaving the meat inside to be all juicy and succulent. Dressed in Thai sweet chilli mayonnaise sauce, its flavours went well with the white sticky rice that was infused with a drizzle of soy sauce.

Drinks

Makotoya does a few juices and also serves beer. We opted for the Apple Juice (Rs. 300) and Mango Juice (Rs. 300).

*Pictured above – Apple Juice (left) and Mango Juice (right)

Both of the drinks were refreshing but we couldn't help but notice how they taste and look a lot like cordial. 

Ambience & Service

As you enter the restaurant, the first thing you're going to notice is the bar counter surrounded by wooden stools. If you need a glass of chilled beer to wash down your ramen, this is where you should go. Aside from that, they have arranged a bunch of more wooden chairs and tables catering to families, friends and couples. 

Every customer who walks in and out of here is greeted with smiles, "hello"s and "thank you"s – sometimes in both Japanese and English languages. The food and drinks didn't take more than 15 minutes to arrive, which is quite impressive. 

Conclusion 

Makotoya is a welcome addition to the ramen scene in Colombo. It's a bit pricey, pretty much on par with the price range of Ramen Misoya, but a must-try because everything they whip up has an authentic touch to it. 

*Photographs courtesy of: @raveen.re
Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp

Highlights.

Latest.

KAMU.

Iftar delights at The Banyan, Heritance Negombo

Iftar delights at The Banyan, Heritance Negombo Written by Fathima Rukaiya, Mad Dogs Bodega, Banyan

Highlights Kamu

Budget-friendly Iftar spots 2024

Written by Fathima Rukaiya, In our previous article, we highlighted some exquisite and upscale Iftar

Highlights Kamu

Iftar Buffet Round Up 2024

Written by Fathima Rukaiya As Ramadan arrives, a warm feeling of reflection and community fills

Highlights Kamu

Discovering Pasta Paradise: The Pasta Factory, Galle Fort

In the historic Galle Fort, The Pasta Factory brings a taste of Italy to Sri

Highlights Kamu

A Home for Desi Dreams – Bombay Nights by Radisson Colombo

As we stepped into the ‘Dine’ in Radisson Colombo, our senses were immediately tantalized by

Highlights Kamu

Steak Bar: A Grand Sunday Brunch at Kingsbury, Colombo

Written by Shamrina C Welcome to the ultimate brunch experience! Nestled in the heart of

Highlights Kamu Yamu Guide

Trending.

Experience the Elegance and Excitement of RTC Tourism Race Day in Nuwara Eliya

RTC Nuwara Eliya will hold its RTC Tourism Race Day on 30th March 2024 at

Trending

“85th Annual Mount Lavinia 2-Mile Sea Swim” by SLASU held at the Mount Lavinia Hotel Beach

The "85th Annual Mount Lavinia 2-Mile Sea Swim" organized by Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union

Trending

Sheraton Colombo Hotel celebrates International Women’s Day with empowering insights

Sheraton Colombo Hotel, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of over 30 extraordinary brands, marked International

Trending

Anantara Kalutara Presents an Elevated Gastronomic Journey to Italy

Kalutara, Sri Lanka - March 14, 2024 - Anantara Kalutara Resort is delighted to announce

Trending

List of Party Venues 2024

By Fathima Rukaiya Finding the perfect place to host a party can be a hassle.

Highlights Trending

LCY Unveils Debut ‘LCY for Her’ Collection, Redefining Women’s Polo Wear with Strength, and Sophistication

Thursday, 14, March, 2024, Colombo: LCY, a brand synonymous with manufacturing high-quality men’s polos of

Trending

Yamu Guide.

Steak Bar: A Grand Sunday Brunch at Kingsbury, Colombo

Written by Shamrina C Welcome to the ultimate brunch experience! Nestled in the heart of

Highlights Kamu Yamu Guide

9 Special Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for Him

By Fathima Rukaiya Are you trying to find the perfect way to show your special

Highlights Yamu Guide

9 Special Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for Her

Written by Fathima Rukaiya The season of love is upon us once more, and opinions

Highlights Yamu Guide

Romantic Dinner and High Tea date spots for Valentine’s Day  2024

Written by Shamrina C 1. Via Torino Indulge in a fine dining exclusive 3-Course meal

Highlights Yamu Guide

BYOB Bliss: 16 Places to you can Bring Your Own Bottle!

Written by Shamrina C 1. Giovannis Indulge in Italian flavors, grooving music, pet friendly, and

Highlights Yamu Guide

Unveiling Ramada’s Festive Christmas High Tea Extravaganza!

Written by Shamrina C Mark your calendars for the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th of December,

Highlights Yamu Guide