Top ten foods to try in Sri Lanka

Being a big time foodie, I thought it was about time for this post! I have a confession though, although the title says 10 foods to try, I’ve got 12! In my defense, there are so many super tasty things to eat here, it was difficult to shorten the list any more. 

Before we begin, you should know that there are loads of amazing things to try when you visit Sri Lanka. This list of Sri Lankan [ish] foods consists of my personal favourites and they are in no particular order.

1) The obvious – Rice and Curry

There is no way that you would miss out on this staple meal while in Sri Lanka. Rice is a huge part of our history and culture. ‘Rice and Curry’ is a very broad title as there are so many different varieties and variations of dishes, whether they be rice, vegetables, sea food or meat. ‘Parrippu’ which you might know as dhal or lentils, chicken curry and fish ‘ambul thiyal’ are a few of my long list of favourites…

Rice and Curry

2) Hoppers

Hoppers could be either egg or plain, and for me, the crispier the better! It’s most often eaten with curries and ‘seeni sambol’ or ‘katta sambol’ or if you’re someone like my mom, you’d probably have hoppers with butter and treacle or juggery as well!

Egg and plain hoppers

3) String Hoppers

Aside from its name and the fact that you eat it with curries, string hoppers have nothing in common with hoppers! It’s another one of my dinner time favourites.

A plate of string hoppers, parippu and pol sambol

4) Koththu Roti

Koththu is a Sri Lankan modification of ‘Godamba’ Roti, where it’s sliced and diced [to a catchy beat] and mixed with veggies and meat. Tasty, a café-restaurant has some really good [and not too spicy] koththu… or you could try the cheese koththu at Pilawoos. It’s the best after a big boozing night. The best part is that it’s open all night! Approach it with caution though; it’s only for those whose stomachs can handle it!

Chicken Koththu

5) Sri Lankan Chinese food

Yes, there is something like that! It doesn’t taste a thing like the food you will eat in China… But, that doesn’t mean that it’s any less of a mouth-watering culinary experience. Try the Hot Butter Cuttlefish… it’s crispy and delicious and ideal for a drink time snack as well!

Hot Butter Cuttlefish at the Chinese Dragon Cafe

6) Pani Pol Pancakes

Another brilliant modification of food from another culture! Pani pol translates to treacle-coconut. These are delicious thin pancake rolls stuffed with a fried mixture of treacle and grated coconut. It tastes as good as it sounds!

A fresh batch of PPP's!

7) Sea Food

Being an island, Sri Lanka is famous for its seafood, which is not as expensive as it is in other countries. Whether it’s curried, grilled, baked or fried; crab, prawn, cuttlefish or fish; it’s bound to be the meal you will spend the longest time eating! Try The Manhattan Fish Market or The Lagoon for some really good seafood. Or, if you want a place that’s slightly cheaper and not as fancy, Beach Wadiya is a popular amongst travellers. If you’ve got your eye on crab and crab alone, I’d recommend The Ministry of Crab or the The Fat Crab which is slightly cheaper.

My mom's homemade crab curry!

8) Festival Food

These goodies come out during festivals and other important functions and occasions and are usually set on a decorated table alongside other traditional foods such as milk rice. The most common ones are kavum, mung kavum and kokis.

Kokis

9) Chips or ‘crisps’ if you’re British!

And no, not the potato kind… these are far better. You should definitely try Manyokka Chips while in Sri Lanka. It’s made out of Cassava or Maniyok. You could find packs in supermarkets, or buy some from a street vendor; the chances are that it will be tastier if you do so! Another type of chip that is a ‘must try’ are Del Chips which are made from breadfruit. It’s not available all year round… and I don’t actually know where you can buy them [someone should really get on that!]. It’s usually homemade, but if they are in season, I could fry some for you!

Fried and spiced to perfection!

10) Short eats

I actually had to google and check if ‘short eats’ was the word that was used globally to describe this type of food… and it wasn’t! Shorts eats are a variety of tea time like snacks which are usually pastries and rolls etc. Check out Jehanr’s harlem shake video with Sri Lankan short eats!

11) Devilled Chicken… or fish… or anything, really!

It’s a popular and kind of spicy bite that’s often had during ‘drinking sessions’.

Devilled Pork

12) Lamprais or lumprice!

This is something amaziag that was left behind by the Dutch from when they had Sri Lanka as a colony. It’s a wonderful meal, wrapped in a banana leaf. In my opinion, you can find the best Lamprais at The Dutch Burgher Union, The Dutch Grocer, Fab and Green Cabin.

A Lumprais pack

The inside of a Lumprais pack

Don’t limit yourself to just this list though, because I had to cut it down. Try everything that comes your way!

“If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home” – James Michener