Sri Lankan Cuisine: 5 Dishes That’ll Make You Want To Visit Sri Lanka – For Adventurous Foodies

As one would expect from an island in the Indian Ocean, seafood plays a pivotal role in the local cuisine. This sour fish curry is a beloved dish among locals with many families having their own variations and recipes of the dish. The fish of choice is tuna, which is usually cut into cubes and marinated in an aromatic blend of a spice mix that includes turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, garlic, curry leaves and pandan leaves. Some recipes also include ingredients such as dried garcinia or goraka as it's known locally, which is responsible for giving the fish its signature sour flavour. In a dry curry dish, preparation requires the ingredients to be simmered with a small amount of water and be cooked on low heat till the liquid evaporates. This technique is known to help the spice mix to coat each piece of fish. The dish which originates from the southern coast of the island can be sampled throughout Sri Lanka including at Kandy restaurants like those found at hotels the likes of Earl's Regent Kandy too!

A hot and fragrant pack of lamprai is a definite treat which should not be missed out. An amalgamation of influences from diverse cultures, the dish remains a strong testament to the Dutch Burgher community of the island. A scoop of rice is wrapped into a banana leaf along with Dutch-style beef balls, a mixed meat curry, shrimp paste known as blachan and a vegetable such as brinjals or ash plantains, and steamed.

A simple yet fiery blend of red onions, finely grated coconut, fresh green chillies or dried whole chillies, lashings of lime juice, a pinch of salt and a generous helping of Maldivian fish, is grounded and diced and then combined in a bowl to create a delicious coconut relish to be enjoyed as an accompaniment for anything and everything

A southeast Asian fruit approximately the size of a de-husked coconut, the wood apple boasts of a strong and aromatic smell, while the dark brown flesh found inside the hard shell is best enjoyed as a thick and filling smoothie. Locals often tend to add jaggery instead of sugar along with coconut milk, making it a great option for vegans to sample.

Dhal curry or Parippu as it is known is a staple in a local's diet whether their meal is eaten in the comfort of their own home or at a restaurant. Split red lentils are first rinsed and boiled until soft and are later sautéed and mixed with an array of tempered spices including mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, cumin seeds and turmeric, along with generous helpings of fresh ingredients such as spicy green chillies, tomatoes and onions. After combining all the ingredients, a splash of fresh and creamy coconut is added for a rich texture and flavour. The best part of the dish is how versatile it is!