Sri Lanka is a paradise for food lovers, offering an array of flavors that reflect its rich cultural history and natural bounty. From spicy curries to sweet treats, Sri Lankan cuisine is a reflection of the island’s diverse influences, blending South Asian, Southeast Asian, and Dutch culinary traditions. If you are visiting Sri Lanka or just curious about its food, here’s a guide to some of the best dishes you simply must try.
Rice and Curry
The heart of Sri Lankan cuisine is rice and curry, a staple that can be found in almost every household and restaurant. Typically served with steamed white rice, this meal comes with several side dishes like fish or chicken curry, along with vegetables, dhal (lentils), sambol (a spicy condiment), and papadams (crispy lentil crackers). Each curry is rich in coconut milk, turmeric, and local spices, creating a flavorful balance of heat and creaminess.
Must Try: Polos (young jackfruit) curry, chicken curry, or fish ambul thiyal (sour fish curry).
Hoppers (Appa)
Hoppers are bowl-shaped pancakes made from a fermented batter of rice flour and coconut milk. They are crisp at the edges and soft in the middle. One of the most popular versions is the egg hopper, which has a fried egg in the center. Hoppers are commonly eaten for breakfast or dinner, served with sambol or a mild coconut milk curry called kiri hodi.
Must Try: Egg hoppers with lunu miris (onion and chili sambol) for an authentic experience.
Kottu Roti
Kottu Roti is a street food sensation in Sri Lanka. It consists of shredded flatbread stir-fried with vegetables, meat (chicken, beef, or mutton), eggs, and lots of spices. It’s a dish full of flavor and crunch, cooked on a griddle, often accompanied by the rhythmic clanging sound as chefs chop and stir the ingredients together.
Must Try: Chicken kottu or cheese kottu for a fun twist.
Lamprais
A legacy of the Dutch Burgher community, Lamprais is a packet of flavored rice served with several accompaniments like meat curry, cutlets, and sambol, all wrapped in a banana leaf and baked to perfection. The slow-cooked flavors make this a must-try dish for anyone looking to explore Sri Lanka’s colonial food history.
Must Try: Traditional beef or chicken Lamprais.
Parippu (Dhal Curry)
This simple yet comforting lentil curry is a staple in almost every Sri Lankan meal. Made from red lentils cooked with onions, tomatoes, and spices like cumin, mustard seeds, and turmeric, it’s a mildly spiced dish that pairs perfectly with rice or roti.
Must Try: Parippu with freshly baked roti or a side of rice and sambol.
Wambatu Moju (Brinjal Pickle)
A tangy, sweet, and spicy side dish, Wambatu Moju is made from deep-fried eggplant pieces that are caramelized in sugar, vinegar, and spices. This pickle is often served as a condiment alongside rice and curry and adds an irresistible burst of flavor.
Must Try: Enjoy Wambatu Moju with rice and curry for a classic Sri Lankan meal.
Pol sambol
No Sri Lankan meal is complete without pol sambol, a spicy coconut relish made from grated coconut, chili powder, lime juice, and onions. It’s the perfect side dish for everything from hoppers to rice and curry and adds a refreshing heat to any meal.
Must Try: Pol sambol with string hoppers or hoppers for a classic breakfast.
Kiri Bath (Milk Rice)
Kiribath, or milk rice, is a simple but beloved dish in Sri Lanka. Made by cooking rice with coconut milk until it becomes thick and creamy, Kiribath is often eaten during celebrations and special occasions. It’s usually served with lunu miris or jaggery (palm sugar).
Must Try: Kiribath for a traditional breakfast or festive meal.
Sri Lanka Sweets
Sri Lanka also boasts an array of sweet treats, many of which are made with coconut and palm sugar. Popular sweets include kokis (crispy fried rice flour snacks), aluwa (a chewy sweet made from rice flour and sugar), and watalappan (a rich coconut custard flavored with jaggery, cardamom, and cashews).
Must Try: Watalappan for a delicious dessert after a meal.
Sri Lankan cuisine is a rich blend of spices, flavors, and textures. Whether you’re indulging in a simple dhal curry or savoring a lavish lamprais, the food in Sri Lanka is sure to leave you with lasting memories. Next time you visit, make sure to try these dishes and discover why Sri Lanka is a food lover’s paradise.