7 Most Amazing Foods to Try in SL

Almost all of Sri Lanka’s food is made with generous doses of spices and traditional recipes altered, blended and made better with time. As a tropical island, Sri Lanka has no shortage of fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, coconuts and precious spices; and the mouthwatering aroma and the even better taste of the Sri Lankan cuisine speaks for it.

With its pristine beaches, heritage sites and beautiful tea estates, Sri Lanka is truly a pearl, and if you’re visiting don’t leave the country before trying these seven most amazing foods and dishes.


Sour Fish Curry
The sour fish curry, more commonly identified as the Fish Ambul Thiyal is one of the many (and honestly the best) varieties of fish curries found in Sri Lanka. The dish originating from southern Sri Lanka is made by cutting the fish (something usually firm and large like tuna) into small cubes and cooking it with a little bit of water and a blended mixture of spices including cinnamon, black pepper, turmeric, garlic, pandan leaves and curry leaves. The dry fish curry gets its signature sour taste from the dried goraka used, and can be preserved for days on end.


Dhal Curry
Parripu or the Dhal curry, is probably the most common local dish ever. A staple that goes with almost any Lankan dish; the Dhal curry is made with a few selected ingredients such as tomatoes, onions, fresh green chilies, tempered spices and of course dhal and coconut milk. The curry is an everyday dish for some us, and is best enjoyed with godamba roti or paratha.


Lamprais
Lamprais is a delicious combination of rice, meat (usually beef, lamb or pork), some vegetables and chili sambal that is packed in a banana leaf and steamed. The meal originates from the Dutch Burgher community and is one of the most sort after food in Sri Lanka.


Coconut Roti (Pol Roti)
Coconut Roti is a simple combination of flour, salt and coconut and water cooked on a hot pan. The thin bread like roti served with lunu miris (chili sambal) is a delicious and a most enjoyed meal around the country.


Kottu
Made up of shredded roti and lots of fried vegetables, eggs and meat (and cheese), Kottu is Sri Lanka’s ultimate go-to food, when craving something greasy and tasty. Kottu can usually be found in the evenings and the rhythmic clank of the Kottu maker could be heard over the Sri Lankan buzz and traffic.


Hoppers
Hoppers are one of the best breakfast foods found in Sri Lanka. A ladle of hopper’s batter; made of slightly fermented rice flour, coconut milk and a little bit of sugar, is fried and swirled in a small wok creating the crispy meal. Hoppers can be found both sweet and savory, but the local favorite is the egg hoppers served with a samble of onions, red chilies, lemon juice and salt.


String Hoppers
String hoppers fall in line for favorite foods, just after hoppers. Unlike the milky batter of hoppers, string hoppers are made from a thick dough, pressed into a string hopper maker, creating long noodle strands that are then arranged and steamed. String hoppers are best enjoyed with coconut sambol and dhal curry. Adding the Fish Ambul Thiyal curry to the combination would complement the meal more.








Written By: Kavisha Perera