Sri Lankan cuisine is a must-try if you’re a food lover looking for a unique and delicious culinary experience. Known for its bold flavours, vibrant colours, and use of aromatic spices, Sri Lankan food is a fusion of influences from South India, Southeast Asia, and colonial Europe. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the best Sri Lankan food, highlighting the dishes you absolutely have to try.
What is Sri Lankan food?
The history of Sri Lankan food is a reflection of the island’s rich cultural heritage and its interactions with various foreign traders and colonizers over the centuries.
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The indigenous cuisine of Sri Lanka, which is known as “Sinhalese cuisine,” is based on rice, coconut, and spices. It features a variety of curries, chutneys, and sambols, which are made from fresh herbs and vegetables. Fish and meat dishes are also common in Sinhalese cuisine, although they are usually prepared in small portions and served as side dishes.
In the 16th century, the Portuguese arrived in Sri Lanka and introduced new ingredients such as tomatoes, chillies, and potatoes. They also brought in a new way of cooking, which involved frying and stewing. The Dutch arrived in the 17th century and continued to influence the cuisine with their love for meat, cheese, and bread.
In the 19th century, the British colonized Sri Lanka and introduced new crops such as tea and rubber. They also introduced the concept of high tea, which is still popular in Sri Lanka today. The British also influenced the cuisine with their love for roast beef and pudding.
During the colonial period, Sri Lankan cuisine underwent a transformation, and new dishes were created by combining indigenous ingredients with foreign ingredients and cooking methods. Today, Sri Lankan cuisine is a fusion of various influences, and it has a unique flavour that is loved by people all over the world.
Some of the popular dishes in Sri Lankan cuisine include rice and curry, hoppers (a type of pancake made from rice flour), kottu roti (a stir-fried dish made with chopped roti, vegetables, and meat), and string hoppers (thin rice noodles served with a variety of curries). Sri Lankan food is also known for its use of spices, which give the dishes their unique flavour and aroma.
Sri Lankan rice and curry
Rice and curry is the national dish of Sri Lanka and a staple in Sri Lankan cuisine. The dish consists of steamed rice accompanied by an array of curries, typically including a meat or fish curry, a lentil or vegetable curry, and sambols, which are spicy condiments made from coconut, chillies, and other ingredients. The curries are rich and flavorful, and the sambols add a spicy kick that complements the mildness of the rice.
Kottu Roti
Kottu Roti is a popular street food in Sri Lanka, made by stir-frying shredded flatbread with vegetables, egg, and meat or seafood. The dish is known for its unique sound, as it is traditionally cooked on a large griddle and chopped up with metal blades, creating a rhythmic clanging sound. Kottu Roti is a delicious and filling meal that is perfect for lunch or a late-night snack.
Hoppers
Hoppers, also known as appam, are a popular breakfast food in Sri Lanka. The dish consists of a thin, crispy bowl-shaped pancake made from fermented rice flour and coconut milk, with a soft and slightly runny centre. Hoppers are typically eaten with a spicy chilli and onion sambol or with a curry.
String Hoppers
String Hoppers, also known as indiappa, are a type of steamed rice noodle that is popular in Sri Lanka and South India. The noodles are made by pressing rice flour dough through a special tool to create thin, delicate strands that are then steamed. String Hoppers are typically served with a vegetable or meat curry and coconut sambol.
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Pol Sambol
Pol Sambol is a spicy coconut relish that is a staple in Sri Lankan cuisine. The dish is made by combining freshly grated coconut with chilli, onion, lime juice, and salt. Pol Sambol is typically served as a condiment with rice and curry, hoppers, or string hoppers.
Fish Ambul Thiyal
Fish Ambul Thiyal is a tangy and spicy fish curry that is a speciality of the southern coast of Sri Lanka. The dish is made by marinating fish in a mixture of spices and then sautéing it with onions, garlic, and goraka, a souring agent that gives the dish its signature tanginess.
Lamprais
Lamprais is a Dutch-influenced dish that is popular in Sri Lanka. The dish consists of rice, meat or fish curry, eggplant curry, and sambols, all wrapped in a banana leaf and baked in the oven. Lamprais is a complete meal in itself and is perfect for a hearty lunch or dinner.
Watalappam
Watalappam is a traditional Sri Lankan dessert made from coconut milk, jaggery, spices, and cashew nuts. The dessert is similar to pudding or custard and has a rich and creamy texture. Watalappam is typically served on special occasions such as weddings and festivals.
Polos
Polos, also known as jackfruit curry, is a popular vegetarian dish in Sri Lanka. The unripe jackfruit is cooked with spices and coconut milk until it is soft and tender. The resulting curry has a meaty texture and is often served with rice and other curries.
Gotu Kola Sambol
Gotu Kola Sambol is a healthy and refreshing Sri Lankan salad made with gotu kola leaves, which are believed to have medicinal properties. The leaves are finely chopped and mixed with grated coconut, chili, onion, lime juice, and salt. Gotu Kola Sambol is often served as a side dish with rice and curry.
Pol Roti
Pol Roti is a popular Sri Lankan flatbread made with grated coconut, flour, and water. The dough is flattened into rounds and cooked on a griddle until crispy and golden brown. Pol Roti is often eaten for breakfast or as a snack and is typically served with sambols or curry.
Crab Curry
Crab Curry is a must-try seafood dish in Sri Lanka. The crab is cooked in a spicy sauce made from a blend of aromatic spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and cumin, along with coconut milk and tamarind. The result is a rich and flavorful curry that is perfect for seafood lovers.
Pittu
Pittu is a popular Sri Lankan breakfast food made from a mixture of rice flour and grated coconut, steamed in cylindrical bamboo or metal tubes. The resulting cylindrical-shaped pittu is typically served with a vegetable or meat curry and coconut sambol.
Hoppers variations
There are several variations of hoppers in Sri Lankan cuisine, including:
- Egg Hoppers: Hoppers with a cracked egg cooked in the centre.
- Milk Hoppers: Hoppers are made with coconut milk instead of water.
- Sweet Hoppers: Hoppers with jaggery or sugar added to the batter.
Local Drinks
Sri Lankan cuisine also offers a variety of delicious drinks to try, including:
- King Coconut Water: Refreshing and hydrating, King Coconut Water is a popular drink in Sri Lanka.
- Faluda: A sweet drink made with milk, ice cream, and a variety of ingredients such as jelly, basil seeds, and rose syrup.
- Ginger Beer: A fizzy and spicy drink made with ginger, sugar, and lime juice. Ginger is abundant and cheap, so be prepared for authentic and delicious ginger beer.
In conclusion, Sri Lankan cuisine is a must-try for any food lover. With its bold flavours, unique ingredients, and diverse range of dishes, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a hearty rice and curry, a flavorful seafood dish, or a refreshing drink, Sri Lankan food has got you covered.
