{"id":308004,"date":"2024-12-03T12:00:54","date_gmt":"2024-12-03T04:00:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thehoneycombers.com\/singapore\/?p=308004"},"modified":"2024-12-08T22:49:11","modified_gmt":"2024-12-08T14:49:11","slug":"sri-lankan-cuisine-kotuwa-singapore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thehoneycombers.com\/singapore\/sri-lankan-cuisine-kotuwa-singapore\/","title":{"rendered":"Humble ingredients elevated to new heights: Kotuwa\u2019s head bartender champions Sri Lankan cuisine through Ceylon arracks and spirits"},"content":{"rendered":"

It goes without saying that Singapore is home to a diverse group of cultures, and with this comes a huge array of exciting cuisines. French<\/a>, Japanese<\/a>, Mediterranean<\/a>, and African: your taste buds can have an international adventure without leaving the country. However, my curiosity and palate led me down a different path \u2013 cocktails<\/a> from around the world. How do unique cultural aspects present themselves in a glass, and what makes each country\u2019s flavours and drinking habits distinct? My questions led me to Kotuwa and its newly furnished, full-fledged bar in New Bahru<\/a> to find some answers.<\/p>\n

Did you know Kotuwa was a Covid-19 baby?<\/h3>\n
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Photography: Kotuwa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Although Kotuwa was founded by Sri Lankan chef Rishi Naleendra, it might surprise you to discover that he didn\u2019t intend to spotlight his native cuisine. Instead, he started his career delving into modern Australian cuisine, opening the much-beloved Cheek by Jowl before moving on to create Michelin-starred<\/a> Cloudstreet.<\/p>\n

However, the hold our heritage has on us can be more powerful than anticipated, and after 15 years, his expertise found its way back home. Starting as a delivery and takeaway concept, Kotuwa saw massive success even during the tough times of Covid-19. So it came as no surprise when it debuted a space within Wanderlust Hotel at the tail end of 2020. Fans jumped at the chance to sink into the restaurant\u2019s newly opened arms.<\/p>\n

The same can be said for the bar\u2019s latest facelift. Setting up its new home within the swanky New Bahru, Kotuwa returns with a new addition \u2013 a dedicated outdoor bar with its own unique cocktail menu and selection of bar snacks, helmed by talented self-taught bartender, Ashaka Harith.<\/p>\n

Trading the keyboard for a cocktail shaker<\/h3>\n
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A post shared by Kotuwa (@kotuwa.sg)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n