6, R.A. De Mel Mawatha, Colombo 04
Open until 07:00 PM
Ashik was once a popular choice amongst the YAMU staff for their rice and curry. Our latest visit left a negative impact on us though, and here's why.
We've long since been meaning to go back to Ashik for a re-review but somehow never had the time (despite the fact that it's literally a 2 minute walk away from the office). On this particularly rainy day I figured it'd be a good idea to take a short walk, but it turned out the weather wasn't the only gloomy experience we'd have.
They're known for their rice and curry but unfortunately, this aspect didn't shine through. The place looked dingy with a grotesque serving station that looked unclean. At the time they had yellow, white and red rice so we opted for a serving of the yellow and red rice.
The Red Rice and Curry (Rs. 150) is justifiable in terms of price as it's piled high with curry and way too much rice. The rice itself wasn't washed and tasted musty. I bit into a rather large stone so you might need dentures if you're going to have this for lunch. The curries weren't at all fresh and the dhal was practically water with a few lentils here and there. The mallum that accompanied it was alright, it was nice and spicy but there was about a teaspoonful's worth of it. The fish reeked and it tasted strangely like river-water which was alarming.
I asked for a Yellow Rice and Curry (Rs. 150) with chicken, but they messed up and gave us more of that foul fish. The curries served were the same as the red rice portion so see the above for details.
Okay, you can't expect 5 star service here because it's pretty much an over-the-counter joint. The guys are fast, slightly unattentive and pretty chirpy on their end. Customer engagement is minimal which isn't too bad.
Back in the day when they were a nice joint, the stone tables and benches were actually a cool furniture choice and enhanced the whole outdoorsy feel. Not anymore, sadly. There are flies buzzing everywhere and the occasional spatter of crow doo-doo.
I'd say the flies are more welcome than their customers on that day though. An entire section was occupied by a bunch of teenage boys who repeatedly kept throwing slurs at us in Tamil. Unbeknownst to them, I understand Tamil very well and I can assure you that nothing pleasant was said. Truly sad.
I really don't recommend this place unless you're dying of hunger and this is the only open kadé. If you do choose to go here, make sure you're with a very large group of people to outnumber the crows, flies, and pervs.
Ashik was once a favourite buth kadey amongst the YAMU staff. Since our last visit they've dwindled in terms of quality.
Ashik is a buth kade down Duplication Road in Bambalapitiya that we frequent. The rice & curry is affordable, ample in portion and consistently tasty.
සිංහල කෑම ගැන කියන්න කලින් කියන්න එපැයි ගොඩක් අය මෙතෙන්ට එන්නෙ සිගරට් බොන්න. මම ඉඳපු පැය භාගෙටත් හත් අට දෙනෙක්ම ආවා සිගරට් බොන්න විතරක්ම.
Address
6, R.A. De Mel Mawatha, Colombo 04
Directions
Ashik is on Duplication Rd, just past the Laugfs office, opposite Cafe Orange Peel
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Damien c
Hi
Had lunch here today, do not recommend this place. Food is crappy no spice no salt, rice was cold. The rost chicken also was nothing much to commend on.
Ravi
One of the best Rice & Curry in the city.
Agree 100% with Yamu.
Shaf
In my opinion, the best R n C I've had in Colombo is at Beruwala Eating House. It's a small shop in the lane opposite Majestic City Bambalapitiya. I think Lauries Road. I've tried it several times and the quality has always been the same…