Taking your time to seek out and sample the classic dishes of typical Sri Lankan food is one of the best ways to really get to know this fascinating Asian country. You’ll find typical dishes served at both the country’s best restaurants (link to a corresponding URL), and if you’re lucky enough to be invited to a meal with locals.
On an island with such a long history, a place so blessed by nature with such a diverse climate, geography, and human communities, it should come as no surprise that Sri Lanka’s food is one of its most tempting and unique charms.
Background and history of Sri Lankan food
There are two key facts to know about typical Sri Lankan food: it has very intense flavours, and many of its dishes are spicy. So, if you’re happy to try intense, spicy food, read on and discover the magnificent cuisine of this small country.
It’s natural to draw parallels between typical Sri Lankan food and dishes from different regions of Indian, particularly southern India. In fact, like its vast neighbour, the most characteristic dish of Sri Lanka is curry.
Curries use a cooking technique that blends a wide variety of spices and ingredients to achieve utterly irresistible flavours, aromas, colours, and textures. Curries in Sri Lanka are normally made with coconut milk; different textures of coconut are used in a large number of Sri Lankan dishes.
But to truly understand the unique nature of typical Sri Lankan food, it’s important to remember that European colonists firmly influenced life in the country during their time here from the 16th to the 20th century. For example, traces can be seen in a love of sweet desserts that are made in the Portuguese and Dutch style. The Muslim and Malayan communities have also had a strong influence on local food.
Below we’ve made a list of the most typical Sri Lankan dishes and the best ways to enjoy them.
Kottu
Of all the popular recipes found in typical Sri Lankan cuisine, kottu probably has the largest number of ingredients and different versions. It’s usually eaten for lunch or dinner and is a mixture of chopped strips of godamba roti (thin Sri Lankan bread) with vegetables, beef, lamb, chicken or fish, scrambled egg, and many spices, including the omnipresent cardamom. It’s sautéed in a pan and the ingredients are chopped while it’s cooking.
Samosas
Samosas are Sri Lanka’s version of a fried pastry and are similar to those eaten in India. They are stuffed with many different fillings (vegetables, meat, egg, etc.), fried in plenty of vegetable oil and are perfect for a snack between meals.
Dhal curry
Dhal is one of the most popular and typical Sri Lankan curries. It’s a classic vegetarian dish and protein is provided by the main ingredient: lentils. They’re cooked in a delicious mixture of coconut milk, curry leaves, and other spices. Dhal is served with rice or the famous naan bread.
Kokis
Kokis are the most popular Sri Lankan dessert and look like rosette flowers. They’re made from rice flour and coconut milk and are thought to be part of the culinary legacy left by the Dutch during their time on the island.
Biryani
Biryani is the best example of the Muslim community’s influence on typical Sri Lankan food. It’s commonly served in restaurants on the east coast (link to a corresponding URL?), the area of Sri Lanka where many Muslims live. In fact, the dish was directly imported from Arab culture but has been adapted to the island and is made with pilaf rice and yoghurt. It’s normally cooked with chicken, numerous spices, nuts and chopped dried fruit.
Ulundu vadai
Perfect for a snack at any time of day, ulundu vadai are similar to the version eaten in the south of India. In fact, they were introduced to Sri Lanka by the Tamil community, who settled in the north of the island (link to a corresponding URL?). Ulundu vadai are savoury doughnuts that are about 5 to 8 cm wide and are made from lentil batter that is fried in vegetable oil. They are also eaten for breakfast.
Pakora
Pakora are also similar to the Indian version and are another type of snack that can be bought from street stalls and ordered in restaurants. They’re a type of fritter made from chickpea flour and stuffed with vegetables, small pieces of potato, onion, and plenty of spices.
Typical desserts
Apart from kokis, typical Sri Lankan desserts show influences from European and Arab culture, thanks to colonists and today’s large Muslim community on the island. Like kokis, almost all desserts are made from rice flour, coconut, honey, and lots of sugar.
Some of the most popular include wali thalapa, a type of spiced sponge cake; aasmi, cake that is seasoned with the juice of davul kurundu leaves and cinnamon; bibbikan, a dark, rice flour cake made with brown sugar, semolina, and nuts; and aluwa, which is made from rice or potato flour with molasses, cashew nuts and cardamom, then boiled and served like a biscuit.
Typical drinks
Tea is the unchallenged national drink of Sri Lanka ‒ it’s drunk in all its many varieties and served both hot and cold. But beer drinkers will enjoy trying Lion, the local brew. However, it’s important to remember that Sri Lanka is a religious country and alcohol can only be consumed in specific places (essentially tourist resorts) and prices are comparatively high.
Alternatives include Lion Ginger Beer, a ginger-flavoured alcohol-free drink, and king coconut, coconut water that is drunk from its own natural “container” through a straw.
Dónde alojarse en Sri Lanka
While there are many accommodation options in Sri Lanka, the two hotels by the Barceló Group are some of the best in the country. The Hotel Occidental Eden Beruwala is on the south-east coast of Sri Lanka, near Colombo and Bentota Beach. It has 158 rooms that are decorated with charming local motifs. The hotel has direct beach access, swimming pools, extensive gardens and serves a wide range of delicious food, with both local and international dishes.
The Hotel Occidental Paradise Dambulla is near the centre of Sri Lanka; it has 67 rooms that are set in the heart of nature. Each room has been thoughtfully designed to meet the needs and preferences of travellers of all kinds. The hotel has fantastic facilities, with a large swimming pool, the Ayu Balinese Spa, a fully equipped fitness centre, two bars, and two restaurants. Food at the hotel is a combination of typical Sri Lankan dishes and popular international cuisine, and guests can even order wood-fired pizza.
