An acclaimed Sri Lankan street food brand is opening its first standalone restaurant in Glasgow’s West End this winter, marking a significant expansion from its popular Edinburgh origins.
Kochchi will launch at the former Hanoi Bike Shop on Ruthven Lane following a £500,000 investment. The venue will accommodate 80 diners across two floors, plus an external seating area and dedicated bar serving Sri Lankan-inspired cocktails, craft beers and tropical soft drinks.
Founded by Shehan Fernando and Suki Jayaratne, Kochchi first captured Scottish diners’ attention at Bonnie & Wild in Edinburgh’s St James Quarter in 2022, where it became one of the marketplace’s most popular kitchens.
Fernando pointed, “When you sit at our table, you taste more than Sri Lanka; you taste Colombo, the city where the island comes together”.
At Kochchi Glasgow, we want to share that rhythm and warmth, a place for rich curries, street snacks, and seafood dishes that carry the flavours of home, he added.
The menu will feature regional curries, grilled seafood, street-style snacks and flame-fired plates inspired by Colombo’s vibrant food scene.
Both founders credit the capital city for shaping their culinary vision, despite growing up in different regions of Sri Lanka. Jayaratne noted that he grew up in Kandy’s gardens and coastal markets but found in Colombo the energy of a city where every influence collided from black pork curry and seafood fried rice to lunch boxes filled with dosas, sambols, and biryani.
The restaurant’s design will reflect Colombo’s character through wood, cane and brass elements reminiscent of old Sri Lankan hotels, combined with the bustling atmosphere of its markets.
The opening will create 15 new jobs for Glasgow’s local economy while serving as both a neighbourhood restaurant and late-evening hangout, capturing the sociable spirit of the West End.
Despite the demands of running a rapidly expanding company, Choudhary has learned to find balance, something he didn’t always have. These days, he’s an early riser, front-loading his weekdays with office work before spending afternoons on-site visits and store builds.
Evenings are reserved for football and gym sessions, and weekends are kept for family. “Sunday lunch at my mum’s house—that’s the recharge,” he says with a smile.
Among his proudest milestones is winning an international franchise of the year award earlier in his career, besting competitors across 30 markets, but he’s just as proud of The Sushi Co’s present trajectory. He said: “It’s been incredible to watch it grow. And we’re only getting started.”
When asked what advice he’d give his younger self, Choudhary was quick to reply: “Learn to walk before you run. There are no shortcuts. Move with care, build the right team, and think everything through.”
For prospective franchisees eyeing entry into the booming sushi space, The Sushi Co is currently welcoming applications.
Choudhary says: “We’re looking for experienced QSR and business professionals ready to invest in a proven, fast-growing concept. This is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the casual dining market, and we’re here to lead it.”
As The Sushi Co expands across the UK, Choudhary is showing that scale doesn’t have to mean compromise. With handcrafted sushi at its core and a franchise model built on training, quality, and support, he’s not just growing a brand, he’s setting a new standard for what fast-casual dining can deliver.
