Top 10 best local dishes you must try in Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan cuisine is truly unique and offers a rich variety of exotic flavours. In this section of the article, we take a look at the top 10 Sri Lankan dishes worth trying.
From main dishes to side dishes and desserts. You’ll find a wide range of delicacies that will wow you with their exoticism and rich flavour palette. Each dish has its own unique ingredients and preparation that set it apart from the rest. Whether you are a lover of spicy food or sweet treats, Sri Lankan cuisine will offer something for your palate.
Basic information about Sri Lankan cuisine
Sri Lanka is an island in the Indian Ocean that boasts a rich culinary history. Sri Lankan cuisine is influenced by many cultures including Indian, Thai and Portuguese and offers a wide variety of dishes with different flavours, colours and spices.
Key points:
- Sri Lankan cuisine is known for its rich variety of exotic flavours.
- The top 10 Sri Lankan dishes include main dishes, side dishes and desserts.
- Rice and Curry is a must-try traditional Sri Lankan main dish.
- Kotti Roti is a popular Sri Lankan street food with bread cakes stuffed with a meat mixture.
- Pol Sambol is a spicy sauce made from ground coconut that adds zing to the dish.
- Restaurants in Sri Lanka offer a wide variety of traditional Sri Lankan dishes.
Rice and Curry
This dish exists in a large number of variations and each family or restaurant has its own recipe. The rice is cooked perfectly and served with sauces, marinated meats, cooked vegetables and other side dishes. The dish is rich in spices and has a rich flavour palette. For lovers of exotic and spicy food, Rice and Curry is an irresistible choice.
Rice and Curry Tasting Guide
When visiting Sri Lanka, you shouldn’t miss the Rice and Curry tasting experience. To immerse yourself in authentic Sri Lankan cuisine, we recommend visiting local restaurants where these dishes are prepared. Read the following tips to make the most of your dining experience:
- Try different types of sauces – Rice and Curry is all about variety of flavours. Try different types of sauces and discover your favourite combination.
- Use your right hand – Sri Lankans traditionally eat food with small pieces of rice and sauces with their right hand. Try this method for an authentic Sri Lankan experience.
- Give side dishes – Classic Rice and Curry is often served with side dishes such as papadams, roti cakes or coconut sambols. Be sure to add them to your meal to complete the taste experience.
- Taste different regions – The regions of Sri Lanka have their own specialties and variations of Rice and Curry. Try dishes from different places and discover the regional differences in taste and preparation.
Sri Lankan Rice and Curry is a gastronomic treasure worth discovering. Be sure to enjoy it during your stay in Sri Lanka for an authentic Sri Lankan dining experience.
Kotti Roti: A Street Food You’ll Love
Kotti Roti is a popular Sri Lankan street food you’ll love. It is a wheat flour flatbread that is fried and stuffed with a meat mixture. The pancakes are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and are served with a variety of sauces and side dishes. Kotti Roti is a popular dish for a quick lunch or dinner on the street and offers a delicious combination of flavors and colors.
The Kotti Roti dish is prepared on the streets of Sri Lanka where it is offered as a quick and tasty dining option. Kotti Roti is made from slices of wheat flour dough that are fried until crispy. These patties are then filled with a savoury meat mixture that gives the dish a rich and pleasing flavour.
One of the most popular variations of Kotti Roti is Chicken Kottu Roti, where the meat mixture is complemented with chicken meat. This dish is especially popular among spicy food lovers and provides a spicy taste experience.
Kotti Roti is served with various sauces and side dishes such as dhal (lentils) or cheese sauce and pickled vegetables. This combination of flavours and colours makes Kotti Roti a great choice for those who want to immerse themselves in Sri Lankan cuisine and try something new and exotic.
Pol Sambol: A side dish that adds pizzazz to your meal
Pol Sambol is a traditional Sri Lankan side dish that adds pizzazz to your meal. It is a spicy sauce made from ground coconut, onions, chillies and other spices. Pol Sambol is used as a side dish to various main dishes and adds a spicy and exotic flavour to them. This sauce is popular for its simplicity and rich flavour palette.
Hoppers (Appa): sweet or salty, always delicious
Hoppers, also known as Appa, are traditional Sri Lankan pancakes that are sweet or salty. These pancakes have a light and airy consistency and are very delicious.
Savoury Hoppers are served with a variety of sauces and side dishes to enrich their flavour. You can choose between different types of marinated meats, sauces or vegetable side dishes that perfectly complement the savoury version of Hoppers. This savoury version is often served as a main dish or as part of Sri Lanka’s Rice and Curry.
For those with a sweet tooth, there is a sweet Hoppers variant. Sweet Hoppers are served with syrup, such as palm syrup, or fresh fruit, which gives the pancakes a nice sweet taste. This sweet version of Hoppers is great for breakfast, dessert or as a sweet appetizer.
Special pans are used to create Hoppers, giving the pancakes their characteristic bowl shape. When baked, they create a light and crispy outer layer that hides the smooth and tender consistency inside. The hoppers are popular not only among locals but also among tourists who want to immerse themselves in authentic Sri Lankan cuisine.
Lamprais: The Dutch Colonial dish that became a classic
Lamprais is a traditional Sri Lankan dish with Dutch roots. It is a mixture of rice, meatball frikadeller, vegetables and a boiled egg that is wrapped in a banana leaf and baked in the oven. Lamprais has a unique combination of flavors and is popular for its rich and filling consistency. This dish is often prepared for special occasions and festivities.
Wambatu Moju: A spicy and sour side dish that refreshes
Wambatu Moju is a spicy and sour side dish that refreshes your meal. It is a pickled eggplant mixture with red onions, green chillies, curry leaves and other spices. Wambatu Moju has a spicy taste and is a great addition to various main dishes. This side dish is popular for its refreshing and exotic taste.
Kiribath: a special milk rice that is ideal for festive occasions
Kiribath is a special milk rice that is often served on festive occasions and holidays. Milk rice is cooked in coconut milk and served with various side dishes such as coconut syrup, fruit sauces or dried fish slices. Kiribath has a sweet and creamy consistency and is a popular dessert in Sri Lanka.
Pittu: A delicious rice and coconut dish that is easy to prepare
Pittu is a delicious and exotic Sri Lankan rice and coconut dish. It is a mixture of rice and coconut that is cooked in a bamboo tube. The Pittu has a rich and distinct flavor that is due to the combination of rice, coconut and spices. Pittu is usually served with some form of curry and can be served hot or cold. This dish is popular for its simplicity and unique consistency.
Along with other Sri Lankan specialties such as Rice and Curry, Kotti Roti and Pol Sambol, Pittu is one of the iconic dishes of Sri Lankan cuisine. Try this delicious combination of rice and coconut.
Mallum: The side dish that adds flavour and aroma to your meal
Mallum is a traditional Sri Lankan side dish that adds flavour and aroma to your meal. It is a mixture of different vegetables such as spinach, celeriac or turnip that is boiled or fried with spices and coconut. Mallum is a popular accompaniment to a variety of main dishes and has a rich and exotic flavor.
If you’re looking for a way to add exotic flavor and aroma to your food, be sure to try Mallum. This side dish will add an interesting combination of flavours and bring an exotic Sri Lankan touch to your meal. With its rich and balanced flavour palette, you will enrich your culinary adventure and discover what Sri Lankan cuisine has to offer.
Wattalapam: A sweet dessert that kids and adults will love
Wattalapam is a sweet dessert full of exotic flavours and aromas. The combination of coconut milk, caramel and spices creates a unique flavour symphony that every dessert taster will love. Cashews add a delicious texture to the dessert and cardamom adds a spicy and refreshing touch. Wattalapam is often served in round, square or triangular shapes. Enjoy Wattalapam as the finale to your Sri Lankan feast or indulge on its own as a sweet treat. You will be pleasantly surprised by this original and delicious dessert.
Whether you are a lover of spicy food or sweet delicacies, Sri Lankan cuisine is guaranteed to give you an unforgettable and delicious experience. If you’re interested in trying Sri Lankan cuisine, you can try some of the dishes mentioned above at home or visit a Sri Lankan restaurant and be enchanted by the authentic flavour palette of this exotic island.
Sri Lankan cuisine is a great example of how we can learn about other cultures and traditions through food. So let yourself be carried away into the world of Sri Lankan flavours and discover new gastronomic experiences full of exoticism and diversity.
FAQ
What dishes are typical of Sri Lankan cuisine?
Typical Sri Lankan dishes include Rice and Curry, Kotti Roti, Pol Sambol, Hoppers, Lamprais, Wambatu Moju, Kiribath, Pittu, Mallum and Wattalapam.
What is Rice and Curry?
Rice and Curry is a staple food of Sri Lanka and is a combination of rice and various types of curry.
What is Kotti Roti?
Kotti Roti is a wheat flour flatbread that is fried and stuffed with a meat mixture.
What is Pol Sambol?
Pol Sambol is a spicy sauce made from ground coconut, onions, chillies and other spices.
What are the variations of Hoppers?
Hoppers are sweet or salty pancakes that are baked in special bowl-shaped pans.
What is Lamprais?
Lamprais is a mixture of rice, meatball frikadeller, vegetables and boiled egg that is wrapped in a banana leaf and baked in the oven.
What is Wambatu Moju?
Wambatu Moju is a spicy and sour side dish of pickled eggplant mixture with red onions, green chillies, curry leaves and other spices.
What is Kiribath?
Kiribath is a special milk rice cooked in coconut milk, served with various side dishes such as coconut syrup, fruit sauces or dried fish slices.
What is Pittu?
Pittu is a mixture of rice and coconut cooked in a bamboo tube shape, served with sauces or side dishes.
What is Mallum?
Mallum is a mixture of different vegetables cooked or fried with spices and coconut, which adds flavour and aroma to the dish.
What is Wattalapam?
Wattalapam is a sweet dessert of caramel custard made from coconut milk with the addition of cashew nuts, cardamom and other spices.
