Celebrating 82 years of culinary excellence: Chinese Dragon Café reaches a new milestone

Chinese Dragon Café, Sri Lanka’s pioneering Chinese restaurant chain, recently celebrated its 82nd anniversary. The restaurant was founded in 1942 in Bambalapitiya by a Chinese couple who brought authentic Chinese cuisine to Sri Lanka, quickly gaining popularity among locals. For over eight decades, Chinese Dragon Café has catered to Sri Lankan consumers, offering more than 200 delicious food recipes. From its beginnings as a single restaurant, it has grown into Sri Lanka’s first Chinese cuisine chain, now operating eight outlets across the country, with locations in Bambalapitiya, Mount Lavinia, Rajagiriya, Pelawatta, Wattala, Kandana, Kaduwela, and Nugegoda. Services now include Dining, Takeaway, Free delivery, VIP rooms for Meeting Arrangements, outdoor and indoor catering, and online orders through its website, www.chinesedragoncafe.com, and social media platforms.

In 2023, Chinese Dragon Café expanded internationally, becoming the first Sri Lankan Chinese restaurant chain to open an outlet in Dubai, UAE, extending its legacy beyond Sri Lanka. Known for its signature dishes like Hot Butter Cuttlefish, Chilli Crab Seafood Rice in Banana Leaf, Chilli Paste, and Tom Yum Seafood Soup, the café regularly introduces new items to its menu. Additionally, the restaurant is committed to sustainability through initiatives like cultivating Basmati paddy fields in Nikawaratiya and Siripura, and it supports local farmers with financial aid, fertiliser, and welfare programmes. The continued success of Chinese Dragon Café is attributed to a dedicated team of 200 employees and loyal customers. In appreciation of its workforce, a staff cricket match and a friendly tournament were held, promoting brotherhood, teamwork, and a supportive workplace environment. Managing Director Naishadh Udeshi commented, “For over eight decades, Chinese Dragon Café has built a reputation for serving generations with quality food and establishing meaningful relationships with customers and staff alike. We will move forward on the journey with continued commitment to both tradition and innovation."

IMAGE 1 – Founding staff of Chinese Dragon Cafe

IMAGE 2 – First Branch of Chinese Dragon Cafe