Joanna James
If you are heading to Sri Lanka’s hill capital, Kandy, you are in for a treat since cultural treasures come in the culinary variety as well! To help you plan a foodie adventure, here are some of the must-try Sri Lankan favourites that will leave you craving more.
While hoppers are often described online as a type of pancake, when you see this dish made from fermented rice flour and coconut milk, you will realise this is definitely no ordinary pancake. Instead of being round and flat, it’s more like the shape of a bowl with the sides being thin and crispy while the centre is soft and spongy. You also get variations like the popular egg hopper with an egg fried in the middle. The best way to eat this crispy delight is to pair it with fiery lunu miris, a spicy onion and chilli sambol, and a rich, gravy-filled curry. One bite and you will be hooked!
If you think rice is just a plain side dish, Sri Lanka will prove you wrong! Rice and curry are the heart of local cuisine, with a variety that goes beyond imagination. Fragrant red or white rice is served with a mouthwatering selection of curries of spiced meats, fresh seafood, and veggies, each bursting with flavour. You can enjoy it like the locals do by eating it with your fingers (only use the right hand). Look to stay at a property like Aarunya Nature Resort that offers Sri Lankan rice and curry in a rural village-like setting that enhances the experience.
One of the most popular street foods in Sri Lanka, kottu roti is a delicious dish that is also known for the sounds that accompany making it. The rhythmic clanging of metal blades on a grill is how you know this famous culinary creation is being chopped and mixed to perfection. Made with shredded godamba roti, veggies, meat (or a veggie alternative), and an explosion of spices, kottu is great as a comfort food too. While you can easily enjoy it at streetside eateries when looking for the best hotel in Kandy, Sri Lanka, check if it serves this dish as well. If you want to truly eat like a local, try kottu with chilled ginger beer, a non-alcoholic ginger-infused soda which will add to the fiery punch!
If you are looking for something light yet filling, thosai is the way to go. This South Indian-inspired dish is a local favourite in Sri Lanka including Kandy, loved for its crispy texture and rich flavour. The batter, made from rice and urad dal (black gram), is soaked, ground, and fermented to create a light, airy consistency. To enhance the taste, spices like cumin and fenugreek seeds are added, along with coconut for a subtle sweetness. Cooked on a hot griddle and spread into a thin, golden-brown circle, thosai is best enjoyed fresh off the pan. It’s served with sambar, a tangy lentil-based stew, coconut sambol, and spicy veggie curry, perfect for dipping and devouring!
No meal in Sri Lanka is complete without curd and treacle, a heavenly combo that hits the perfect balance between sweet and tangy. Made from thick, creamy buffalo curd, this traditional dessert has a slightly sour kick, beautifully complemented by kithul treacle, a golden, syrupy delight. Whether you grab a clay pot of curd from a roadside stall or order it at a restaurant, this simple yet satisfying treat is the perfect way to cool down after all the spice and heat of your meal!
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.
