Joanna James
A true melting pot rich in texture, spices, and flavours, Sri Lankan cuisine is decidedly unique, whose aromas promise to make you tingle with happiness and have you coming back for more. Here are some top dishes to try while visiting.
A nutritious and hearty plate of rice and curry is the quintessential dish of Sri Lanka. This staple can be found anywhere on the island from quaint roadsides cafes to Kalutara restaurants in hotels such as Anantara Kalutara Resort, and everywhere in between. Lankans love their spices, and a lot of preparation goes into making a sublime curry. Commonly used spices include coriander, cumin, peppercorn, saffron, nutmeg, chili, cinnamon, cardamom, and a good dose of curry leaves, good for lowering cholesterol. There is a wide selection of various vegetables and lentils the locals use to make curry, but the more common include, dahl, pumpkin, potatoes, eggplants followed by either a chicken or fish curry along with a green symbol, a salad of sorts.
A localized version of very thin and fine pancakes with crispy edges, hoppers are shaped like a bowl and made out of coconut milk and fermented rice flour. After being mixed well, the batter is fried in a small wok and swirled skillfully to cover all sides of the pan. A variation includes the egg hopper, where an egg is cracked into the middle as the crepe cooks. Hoppers are usually served with spicy chili paste, curry, and coconut sambal.
Seafood lovers will be delighted to know that Sri Lanka is famed for its fresh and bountiful offering of seafood. In coastal towns, fishermen display their catch of the day including giant prawns, crabs, lobster, and various types of fish, which you can pick out have street vendors BBQ accompanies by servings of fries and salads.
A quintessential breakfast and dinner dish, the coconut roti features a simple yet delicious combination of coconut, flour, salt, and a bit of water to bind the ingredients together, which is then leavened and cooked atop a hot pan. This roti is best eaten with plenty of spicy curry and sambal.
An iconic local food often served as a dessert, buffalo curd is best eaten after a spicy and hearty meal. With a thick and yoghurt like concoction made from the milk of the water buffalo, and is served throughout the island in disposable pottery. Sample some with a generous helping of treacle, a local syrup similar to the maple syrup enjoyed in the west.
The ideal breakfast food, these thinly cooked pancakes are made out of water, flour, honey, and caramelised coconut, then rolled and eaten in a few quick bites. The locals also tend to serve these delicious pancakes as a snack accompanied by a fragrant and piping hot cup of Ceylon tea.
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A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
