Sri Lankan food available during a visit to Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a country known for its unique culture, diverse landscapes, and delicious food.

Sri Lankan cuisine combines various cultural and historical influences, including Indian, Dutch, Portuguese, and British. This blend of flavours and spices has created a culinary landscape that will satisfy any food lover’s cravings. In this article, we will explore the most popular Sri Lankan food options available during a visit to this beautiful island nation.

Rice and curry

Rice and curry is a staple food in Sri Lanka and is often consumed for lunch and dinner. This dish consists of steamed rice, several vegetable curries, meat or fish curry, and spicy sambal. The vegetable curries can include potato, pumpkin, spinach, and eggplant, among others. The meat or fish curry can be made with chicken, beef, fish, or prawns. The sambal is a condiment made with chilli, onion, and coconut. This dish is full of flavours and spices and is sure to leave you feeling satisfied.

Hoppers

Hoppers, also known as appam, are a popular breakfast food in Sri Lanka. These bowl-shaped pancakes are made with rice flour, coconut milk, and yeast. They are cooked in a small wok-like pan and served with a variety of accompaniments, including egg, chilli, onion, and coconut sambal. Hoppers can also be made sweet by adding jaggery or honey.

Kottu roti

Kottu roti is a popular street food in Sri Lanka. This dish is made with shredded roti bread, vegetables, egg, and meat or fish. The ingredients are mixed and cooked on a hot plate, and the dish is served hot with a side of curry sauce. Kottu roti is a delicious and filling dish that is sure to satisfy any hunger pangs.

String hoppers

String hoppers, also known as idiyappam, are steamed rice noodles that are popular in Sri Lanka. They are made by pressing rice flour dough through a sieve and steaming the resulting noodle nests. String hoppers are often served with a coconut milk-based curry and a spicy sambal. This dish is a light and healthy option that is perfect for breakfast or dinner.

Pol sambol

Pol sambal is a condiment that is often served with rice and curry or hoppers. It is made with grated coconut, chilli, onion, lime juice, and salt. The ingredients are mixed together to create a spicy and flavorful relish that can be used to add some heat to any dish.

Watalappan

Watalappan is a sweet dessert that is popular in Sri Lanka. It is made with coconut milk, jaggery, cardamom, and cashews. The ingredients are mixed and steamed to create a pudding-like consistency. Watalappan is a delicious and comforting dessert that is perfect for ending a spicy meal.