Joanna James
Beyond its busy streets and colonial architecture, the energetic capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo, pulsates. This city's incredible street food scene is a hidden treasure. Colombo's street vendors provide a symphony of flavours, textures, and scents for the daring gourmet.
An essential part of Colombo's street food scene are hoppers, a national treasure of Sri Lanka. Made with a batter of fermented rice flour and coconut milk, these bowl-shaped pancakes have a crispy outside and a soft, slightly fermented inside. Their delightfulness stems from their versatility. A simple yet filling snack are plain hoppers served with a drizzle of honey or coconut treacle. With a perfectly cooked egg nestled in the middle and a delightful textural contrast, egg hoppers elevate the experience. But if you want to add some excitement to your dining in Colombo, think about checking out the restaurants and dining areas at hotels like Cinnamon Grand Colombo for a hearty Sri Lankan meal.
The colourful street food masterwork known as kottu roti is evidence of Sri Lanka's inventiveness. This dish is made with leftover roti that has been thinly sliced and stir-fried with eggs, vegetables, and meat (beef, mutton, or chicken) along with a colourful mixture of spices like coriander, cumin, and chilli flakes. The vendor's rhythmic chopping and tossing on a flat griddle produces an enthralling sight. The ability to customise kottu roti is what makes it so beautiful. Vegetarians can enjoy a version devoid of meat that is full of flavorful veggies. Those who enjoy spicy food can ask for extra chilli flakes for a spicy meal.
A staple of South Asian Street cuisine, samosas hold a particular place in Colombo's culinary scene. These golden-fried triangles are filled with a flavorful mixture that is spiced and usually consists of onions, potatoes, peas, and occasionally lentils. Every bite delivers a taste explosion as the warm, aromatic filling emerges from beneath the crispy exterior. Samosas can be eaten on their own or combined with chutneys, such as the tart tamarind chutney or the cool, refreshing mint chutney, to create an even more complex flavour combination.
In Colombo's street food scene, isso wade is a lesser-known gem that delivers a delightful textural and flavour experience. The batter for these deep-fried lentil fritters is made with split red lentils, or masoor dal, along with chilies and turmeric. The outcome is an exterior that is crispy and an interior that is soft and fluffy, bursting with the earthy flavour of the lentils. Traditionally, isso wade is eaten with chutney, which gives the savoury fritter a cool contrast.
Another delicious street food that will satisfy your sweet tooth is falooda. This colourful mixture is a layered masterpiece of vermicelli noodles, jelly pieces, fresh fruits (strawberries and bananas), nuts (almonds and cashews), and a generous scoop of ice cream. It also tastes like rose water. A final drizzle of rose syrup adds a floral sweetness as the finishing touch. Falooda is a culinary and visual feast. With every spoonful, the different textures of the ice, noodles, jelly, and nuts create a delightful experience.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
