8 Most Popular Sri Lankan Dishes | Best Sri Lankan Food

Sri Lanka is an island, south of India in the Indian Ocean and distant from the Indian subcontinent by the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Strait. Sri Lankan food mainly consists of seafood, rice, coconut-derived dishes, tropical fruits, and vegetables. Sri Lankan food draws heavily on South Indian and Malaysian cuisine in particular. Since Sri Lanka was formerly known for its cinnamon, its cuisine justifies the substantial use of cinnamon sticks, black pepper, and other spices. 

Most Popular Sri Lankan Food You Must Try: 

Since tourism is significant to Sri Lanka’s economy, below you will find some locally produced treats to enhance your visit. 

1. Fish Ambul Thiyal

Fish Ambul Thiyal, also known as Sour fish curry, is one of Sri Lanka’s most famous seafood curries. Dried Gorake is boiled in water until soft, then blended with chili, cinnamon stick, and garlic. The dried Goraka, also called dried garcinia adds a sour flavor to the Fish Curry. The mixture and sliced fish are then placed in a pot with banana leaves and garnished with coriander leaves. The clay pot is then heated to begin cooking. This meal is widely accessible in all restaurants and is a must-try if you visit Sri Lanka.

2. Kukul Maas Curry – [Chicken Curry]

Kukul Maas, meaning chicken meat, and chicken meat curry is a simple and popular Sri Lankan dish originating from Colombo. Chicken breast is usually sliced into pieces and cooked with spices, onion, and garlic. To give the meal a creamy texture and flavor, coconut milk is added to the recipe. It is entirely up to the cook whether or not to use tomato puree in place of coconut milk. Chicken curry is best served with hot rice and roti/naan.

3. Parippu – [Dal Curry]

It is a traditional Sri Lankan meal that is also popular in South India. Masoor and Tuvar dal (lentils) are the most often used dals in curries. It is a common domestic meal that is prepared in practically every home and restaurant. Dal is cooked separately while the other spices are tempered in a separate pan. Furthermore, coconut milk is treated to have a smooth flavor and texture. Fresh veggies can also be used to enhance the flavor. It pairs well with rice and chapati (roti).

4. Kuttu Roti

Kuttu Roti also known as Lankan Hamburger is a quick fast food available across the nation on the streets as well as in restaurants. However, enjoying Kuttu Roti from the street near beaches is best, and to find such vendors you need to keep your ears open for the clanking noise of metal that Kuttu chefs make with their utensils. It is customizable as the fried roti is mixed with your choice of ingredients and served with hot and spicy curry sauce.

5. Hoppers or Appam

A fermented combination of rice flour, coconut milk, water, and sugar is used to make a dense batter or dough. Following the pouring of the batter, it is fried in a wok by spinning, and occasionally an egg is cracked in the prepared hopper and topped with onions, chilies, salt, and lemon to give it a distinctive flavor.

6. Lamprais

It is a Dutch-inspired cuisine made out of meatballs and rice that is cooked in two stages, first separately and then combined in an oven after being wrapped in banana leaves. Spices such as cinnamon and cloves are used when cooking meat.

7. Wood Apple Juice

Wood apple may be eaten raw, however, in Sri Lanka, wood apple juice, a thick smoothie, is one of the most popular ways to consume the fruit. It has a sweet and sour flavor. To smooth out the fruit, jaggery/sugar and water are added.

8. Faluda

Faluda is a refreshing combination of rose syrup, ice cream, vermicelli, jelly fragments, and sweet basil seeds that is usually served as a dessert. It is Persian in origin but is highly popular in India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Similar beverages with different names can be found in Indonesia and Singapore.

Other local alcoholic beverages include Toddy and Arrack, which are worth a try.

Put Sri Lanka, one of the most well-liked tourist locations, on your bucket list without a doubt, and try these dishes to make your trip there remarkable.