A Foodie's Guide to Sri Lanka The Top 10 Foods You Must Try

If you’re a foodie looking for an adventure, look no further than Sri Lanka. Positioned in the Indian Ocean between Eastern and Western cultures, this small island is home to a rich, melting-pot cuisine. The flavors of Sri Lanka are influenced by its geography, with spices from both East and West meeting on its shores.

This makes for an eclectic mix of dishes that are definitely worth exploring. While there are endless options to choose from, we’ve put together a list of the 10 foods you must try when visiting Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan Cuisine Is a Melting Pot of Flavors

Sri Lankan cuisine is a melting pot of flavors, and as a foodie, you’ll want to try everything the island has to offer. The food is heavily influenced by its geography, with flavors from the East and the West combining to create a unique and unforgettable culinary experience.

Some of the dishes you’ll want to try include dhal curry, chicken masala, wattalapam (a dessert made with coconut milk, jaggery, and cashews), and hoppers (a thin crepe made of rice flour and coconut milk). So whether you’re looking for something spicy or sweet, Sri Lanka has got you covered.

The Island's Geography Plays a Big Role in Its Cuisine

As you travel around the island, you’ll quickly notice that the geography has a big influence on the cuisine. The Western coast is known for its seafood, while the Eastern coast is known for its rice and curries.

Then there’s the central highlands, which is known for its spices. In fact, this is where you’ll find most of the country’s cinnamon, pepper, and nutmeg plantations. And finally, the Southern coast is known for its coconuts and fruit.

So as you can see, Sri Lanka is a melting pot of flavors, and this is reflected in its cuisine. With such a variety of dishes to choose from, it can be tough to know where to start. But don’t worry, we’re here to help.

Sri Lankan Food Is Perfect for Spice Lovers

If you’re a fan of spicy food, then you’re going to love Sri Lankan cuisine. The flavors are complex and intense, and they’ll definitely have your taste buds tingling.

There are all sorts of delicious dishes to try, but some of the most popular ones include:

• Hoppers: A crispy, bowl-shaped pancake that’s made with fermented rice flour and coconut milk. It’s usually served with a spicy sambol sauce on top.

• Kottu Roti: A street food dish that’s made with roti bread, vegetables, and meat. The ingredients are chopped up and cooked on a metal plate, and it’s then served with a spicy sauce.

• Samosas: Savory pastries that are stuffed with a variety of fillings, such as potatoes, onions, and peas. They’re then deep-fried and served with a sweet chutney.

There's Something for Everyone to Enjoy in Sri Lankan Cuisine

If you’re a foodie, then you’re going to love Sri Lankan cuisine. This melting pot of a country is influenced by its geography, with flavors and spices from both the Eastern and Western worlds. That means there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

So what are some of the must-try dishes? Well, there’s the ever-popular curry, of course. But don’t forget about the hoppers, which are like a pancake made of fermented rice flour and coconut milk. Then there’s the string hopper, which is like a noodle made from steamed rice flour and coconut milk. Yum!

And if that’s not enough for you, there’s also the roti, a type of flatbread that’s popular in South Asia. So as you can see, Sri Lanka has something for everyone. So why not book your tickets now and come experience it for yourself?

Here Are 10 of the Best Foods to Try in Sri Lanka

Ready to start your Sri Lankan food adventure? Here are the top 10 foods you must try:

Hoppers: A crispy, light pancake made with rice flour and coconut milk.
Kottu roti: A stir-fry of chopped flatbread, vegetables, and meat or fish.
Sambol: A spicy relish made with onions, tomatoes, Maldive fish, and chili peppers.
Dhal curry: A lentil curry simmered with aromatic spices.
Pol sambol: A coconut and onion relish tempered with chili peppers and lime juice.
Wattalapam: A rich dessert made with coconut milk, jaggery, cashews, and shredded coconut.
Kiribath: Coconut milk rice cooked in pandan leaves and served with cardamom sugar.
Eggplant (wambatu) moju : This is a classic dish from Sri Lanka, with many regional variations. It is often served with rice and tastes like a caramelized pickle.
Green jackfruit curry (polos) : Slow-cooked to perfection. This Sri Lankan young jackfruit curry aka Polos curry is so full of flavor and the pieces are so tender. A must try Sri Lankan dish.
Fish ambul thiyal (sour fish curry) : This spicy fish dish was originally created in Southern Sri Lanka to preserve fish. A mixture of spices is used to saute the cubed fish (mostly tuna), including pandan leaves, curry leaves, turmeric, garlic and black pepper. Dried goraka is the most important ingredient. This tamarind-like fruit gives the fish its tart, distinctive flavour.

Conclusion

Sri Lanka is a melting pot of cultures and cuisines, and its food is a delicious reflection of that. With dishes influenced by Indian, Chinese, and Western cuisine, there are endless possibilities for culinary exploration.

But with so much to choose from, where do you start? To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of the 10 foods you must try when visiting Sri Lanka. From juicy curries to crunchy prawns, there’s something for everyone. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip today!

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