Sri Lankan Food: A Must Try!

If you are a food enthusiast who follows the ‘Master Chef’ show, certain Sri Lankan food may already be familiar to you. Dishes like Chicken Curry, Egg Hoppers, and Milk Rice have captivated so many people across the globe. But experiencing these delights in their place of origin will be an unmatched experience, where every bite tells a story of tradition and history.

Sri Lankan cuisine is a combination of multiple food cultures from across the globe. Centuries ago, the earliest settlers in Sri Lanka were the Indians. Therefore, you could see a lot of Indian influence on Sri Lankan food. Not only that, the original influence from the Indigenous people of Sri Lanka (Veddas) and influences from Malay, Arabic, Portuguese, Dutch, and British food cultures have made Sri Lankan cuisine a unique fusion that anyone can try.

A plate of authentic Sri Lankan Rice & Curry

Spices and Herbs

Sri Lankan food is known for its flavors, thanks to the use of a wide variety of spices and herbs. Cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and cumin are some of the common spices used in Sri Lankan cooking. These add a deep flavor and aroma to dishes. Herbs like curry leaves, and pandan leaves are also commonly used.

Popular Breakfast Dishes

One of the main ingredients Sri Lankans use is coconut. They will use coconut for almost every food. A popular breakfast dish, coconut roti, a flatbread made from grated coconut mixed with flour and cooked on a hot griddle. Another favorite is hoppers, which are a type of thin, crispy pancake made from fermented rice flour and coconut milk. ‘Kiri-bath’ or Milk Rice is made from cooking rice with coconut milk. ‘Pittu’ is also another popular dish, a steamed cylinder-shaped food made from rice flour and grated coconut. String hoppers, made from rice flour, are also a favored breakfast item, usually served with coconut sambol.

The traditional Sri Lankan breakfast dish – ‘Pittu’

Curries

Sri Lankan locals like to eat Rice and curry daily. Curries are a big part of Sri Lankan cuisine and come in various forms. From meat to vegetables and even fruit curries, the options are limitless. Sri Lankan curries are usually spicy. The most popular Chicken curry is made by simmering chicken pieces blended with spices, coconut milk, and curry leaves. Beef curry, fish curry, jackfruit curry, and Dhal curry are some of the popular ones, each of them prepared with a unique combination of spices and herbs.

The traditional ‘Jackfruit Curry’ from Sri Lanka

Seafood

Being an island nation surrounded by the Ocean, Sri Lanka has the privilege of fresh and delicious seafood in abundance. From prawns to cuttlefish and crabs… seafood is a highlight of Sri Lankan cuisine. One iconic seafood dish is the famous crab curry, where crabs are cooked with spices, coconut milk, and Moringa leaves. Another distinct dish is Fish ‘Ambul-thiyal’, made with slices of fish marinated in spices and cooked in a clay pot, covered with banana leaves until the edges become crispy. The result is tantalizing and with a sour taste. The word ‘Ambul-thiyal’ means sour fish.

Sour fish or ‘Ambul Thiyal’, a distinct seafood dish in Sri Lanka

Something that goes with anything…

‘Pol sambol’ & ‘Lunu Miris’ – are local’s favorites and these two items will go with anything…

‘Pol sambol’ or the coconut sambol is made by combining freshly grated coconut with red onions, lime juice, chili flakes, salt, and a hint of Maldive fish (optional). This is usually a condiment that you can try with any of the Sri Lankan food.

‘Lunu-Miris’ means salt and chili. Whether you’re enjoying a roti, or even a plate of milk rice, or hoppers, a spoonful of lunumiris will give you a spicy and rich taste. It is like a chili paste made from grinding fresh chili, onions, salt, spices, and lime juice.

The famous ‘Pol Sambol’ or coconut sambol.

Street Food

Street food in Sri Lanka is an experience that you should not miss.  You can find a wide range of street food in street markets and roadside stalls. The most popular street food is ‘kottu’, made by stir-frying finely chopped roti with vegetables, eggs, and a choice of chicken, beef, or seafood. If you wander around Sri Lankan cities at night, the rhythmic sound of the metal blades making ‘kottu’ will be your background soundtrack. ‘Vadai’, is a deep-fried lentil fritter that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. You can also find ‘Isso-vadai’, a vadai fried with prawns. If you are a spicy food lover, make sure to have a taste of Sri Lankan ‘Achcharu’, a spicy street food usually made from different types of fruits mixed with spices like a pickle. There are so many different types of ‘Achcharu’ you can find in Sri Lanka, ‘Amba ahcharu’ is a Mango pickle. ‘Diwul Sambol’ is a wood apple pickle. ‘Weralu Achcharu’ is a pickle made with a fruit named ‘veralu’; similar to olives.

A collection of Sri Lankan Achcharu (pickles) found in a street food stall.

Pro-tips for travelers

The diversity in Sri Lanka’s food culture will cater to all dietary preferences.
As a traveler, there’s no need to bring any special food items with you—Sri Lanka has everything you need to enjoy. Vegetarians will find so many delicious options like dhal curry, vegetable kottu, and a variety of sambols. For those who can’t eat coconut or curry, fear not—you can find options like grilled meats, seafood, and plenty of fresh fruits and salads.

Food in Sri Lanka is remarkably affordable, but it’s wise to carry some local currency (Sri Lankan Rupees) for street food but most of the city-based markets or stalls will accept cards.

Also, you can read our comprehensive travel guide to Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan food is a must-try that will leave you craving for more. There are so many Sri Lankan restaurants in Australia and across the globe where you can find almost all these unique dishes. But the experience, the vibe, and the authenticity are unmatchable when you try these out in Sri Lanka. And that’s why you should visit this culinary paradise sooner.

Make sure to check our 9-Day Highlights of Sri Lanka tour package which will cover all the special places in Sri Lanka. And, we also have upgraded and longer tour packages to Sri Lanka. So, why don’t we travel to this beautiful country and have a culinary experience like never before?