Popular Sri Lankan Food

1. Rice and Curry

Rice and Curry is the main dish in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankans usually have rice and curry for all the main meals of the day with curries. Steamed rice is served with a range of side dishes such as dhal curry, chicken curry, fish curry, vegetable curries with pol sambol or achcharu (pickle) as condiments. The locals mix all the curries with rice and have it morsel by morsel. You can order rice and curry at Sri Lankan restaurants or opt for a local culinary experience to have the food prepared by a local at their home.

2. Hoppers (Appa)

Hoppers are mainly a breakfast dish but it can be eaten for dinner as well. It is a crispy pancake made with fermented rice flour and coconut milk. The batter is cooked in the shape of a bowl using an oiled pan. There are plain hoppers, egg hoppers and pani hoppers. An egg is cracked open into the center of the pan while the pancake is been cooked for the egg hopper. Jaggery is added to the mixture to cook pani hoppers to add the sweetness.

3. String Hoppers (Idiyappam)

String Hoppers are a famous breakfast dish among the locals. The string hoppers are cooked with roasted rice flour dough. They are pressed into noodles and laid out on a flat disc to be steamed. The steamed string hoppers are served with a coconut sambol, thibbatu ( Turkey Berry ) mallum and dhal or fish curry.

4. Kottu Roti

Kottu Roti is a world famous street food from Sri Lanka. It is made using crispy flatbread. The flatbread known as Godamba Roti is chopped into bite size pieces and stir fried with vegetables, onions, spices together with a choice of protein of your choice from chicken, fish, egg, mutton or beef. It is made on a hot griddle with chopping blades. It is a spicy dinner dish which people prefer to have with chicken gravy or a spicy flavorful curry of their choice.

5. Pol Sambol

Pol Sambol is the most famous condiment in Sri Lankan cuisine. Coconut flesh is grated finely combining it with chopped red onions, chilli powder, chill flakes, lime juice and salt to make the sambol. It is a spicy side dish which can be eaten with rice, hoppers, string hoppers and roti.

6. Curd (Buffalo Milk Curd)

Set curd is a local dessert. Buffalo milk is set traditionally set in clay pots till they get a creamy and thick consistency. It is served with treacle after the main course.

7. Kiribath (Milk Rice)

Kiribath is one of the most popular Sri Lankan traditional food for special events such as Sri Lankan New Year, Christmas, Hindu New Year and it is also used as a dish to celebrate the milestones of life for the islanders. Cooked rice is mixed with fresh milk to make this dish. Milk rice is served with lunu miris for spiciness and jaggery for sweetness.

8. Pittu

Pittu is a breakfast dish. Pittu is made using rice flour and grated coconut. Pittu is steamed in a cylinder shaped funnel to be cooked. It is eaten with coconut milk and curries.

9. Parippu (Dhal Curry)

Parippu is the most famous Sri Lankan curry. It is a staple curry to have with rice in most of the local households. It is a curry made with cooked lentils. Dhal is cooked in coconut milk with ingredients such as onions, garlic, chill power, turmeric and cumin.

10. Ambul Thiyal

Ambul Thiyal is a famous fish curry. It is made with fish such as Tuna, Kingfish and Sailfish by mixing it with a variety of strong spices. It can be paired with rice, milk rice, bread, hoppers and bread.

11. Wambatu Moju

Brinjals are known as Wambatu. Brinjals are deep fried and cooked with onions, chilies, spices and sauces to make this curry. This can be served with rice as a side dish. Wambatu Moju is sweet, tangy, flavorful and spicy.

12. Isso Wade

Prawn wade is known as isso wade. It is one of the most popular Sri Lankan street food. It is made with a spicy mixture of lentils and spices. It is deep fried with a prawn on the top. It is a spicy snack for all the occasions.

13. Achcharu (Sri Lankan Pickle)

Sri Lankan pickle can be mainly enjoyed with rice as a side dish. It is a tangy and spicy dish made using finely diced carrots, papaya, onions, chilies, dates, spices and vinegar. It will balance out the flavors of the rice and other curries.

14. Kukul Mas Curry

This can be one of the most famous Sri Lankan dishes which has gained popularity all over the world. Chicken is cooked in coconut milk with flavorful mixture of spices such as chili powder, salt, turmeric, curry powder, pepper and cinnamon. This can be served with rice, kiribath, roti and bread. The aroma will indeed delight your taste buds wanting for more.

15. Gotu Kola Sambol

Centella asiatica leaf is known as the Gotu Kola Leaf. It is nutrient dense and beneficial for your brain, circulation and skin health. Freshly grated Gotu Kola is mixed with freshly grated coconut, red onion, garlic, green chilies, lime juice and salt and lightly cooked before serving. It is a served with rice and other curries.

16. Fish Cutlets

Fish Cutlet is a famous tea time snack in Sri Lanka. A mixture of tuna fish, boiled potatoes, onions, garlic and spices is made into small balls and dipped into a batter of flour, water and spices and coated with breadcrumbs. Then it is deep fried in oil until it turns golden brown colour.

17. Manioc (Cassava) with Lunu Miris

Steamed Cassava with lunu miris is a famous traditional breakfast dish in Sri Lankan cuisine. The texture of boiled manioc is very soft. Lunu miris is a spicy onion paste made with red onions, chilli paste, salt and lime juice.

18. Seeni Sambol

Seeni sambol is made by frying a mixture of chopped onion with chilli powder, sugar, cinnamon and tamarind sauce. This spicy caramelized onion relish is a condiment to be enjoyed with rice, roti and bread.

19. Coconut Roti

Coconut Roti is made by mixing flour, grated coconut and coconut water and frying it on a pan. It is shaped like a round disc of flatbread. It is served with lunu miris. If you do not like spicy food, you can enjoy it with a piece of jaggery or jam.

20. Watalappam

Wattalappam is a main Sri Lankan dessert. It is made with jaggery, coconut milk, eggs and spices. It is made in the consistency of a spicy caramel custard with coconut. It is a rich and flavorful dish which is influenced by Malay and Moor Cultures. It is made to celebrate Ramadan and for feasts during special occasions.