My top 5 picks for the best Sri Lankan foodie experience!

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Yellow Rice- A step ahead of Rice and Curry!

A Sri Lankan yellow rice meal featuring chicken curry, tempered potatoes (ala thel daala), and dhal curry offers a rich and aromatic culinary experience that celebrates the vibrant flavours and spices of the island's cuisine. At the heart of the meal is the fragrant yellow rice, a flavourful and aromatic dish made with basmati rice infused with turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom, and other spices. The vibrant yellow hue of the rice serves as a colourful backdrop to the array of savoury curries and side dishes.

Accompanying the yellow rice are a variety of mouth-watering curries, each offering its own unique blend of flavours and textures. The chicken curry is a succulent and tender dish made with marinated chicken pieces simmered in a rich gravy of coconut milk, onions, garlic, ginger, and a blend of spices. The potatoes are a flavourful stir-fry of diced potatoes seasoned with mustard seeds, curry leaves, and aromatic spices, adding a delicious crunch to the meal. The dhal curry is a comforting lentil stew made with split red lentils simmered in a flavourful broth of coconut milk, onions, tomatoes, and spices, offering a hearty and nutritious accompaniment to the rice and curries.

String Hoppers for Days!

A Sri Lankan string hopper meal is a delightful culinary experience that brings together flavours, textures, and aromas unique to the island's cuisine. String hoppers, also known as "idiyappa," are thin strands of steamed rice flour dough, delicately woven into small, circular shapes resembling nests. The meal typically begins with a mound of freshly steamed string hoppers, arranged neatly on a plate. These soft, tender strands serve as the perfect canvas for an array of vibrant and flavourful accompaniments.

At the heart of the meal is a fragrant and savoury curry, often made with a variety of ingredients such as chicken, fish, beef, or vegetables. The curry is simmered in a rich blend of spices, coconut milk, and aromatic herbs, resulting in a luscious sauce that coats each string hopper with irresistible flavour. Alongside the curry, you'll find an assortment of condiments and side dishes to complement the meal. This may include "sambols," which are spicy coconut-based relishes made with chili peppers, onions, and lime juice, adding a fiery kick to each bite.

A crispy “Dosa” of goodness!

A Sri Lankan paper dosa meal offers a delightful blend of crispy textures and savoury flavours, creating a culinary experience that is both satisfying and memorable. The star of the show is the "paper dosa," a thin and crispy crepe-like pancake made from a batter of fermented rice and lentil flour. Served piping hot and generously portioned, the paper dosa takes centre stage on the plate, its golden-brown surface adorned with delicate lacy patterns created during the cooking process. Despite its thinness, the dosa boasts a satisfying crunch with every bite, providing the perfect canvas for an array of delicious accompaniments. Accompanying the paper dosa are a variety of flavourful chutneys and savoury sambar, adding depth and complexity to the meal.

This may include coconut chutney, a creamy blend of grated coconut, green chilies, and spices, offering a cool and refreshing contrast to the crispy dosa. Additionally, there may be tomato chutney, featuring tangy tomatoes seasoned with mustard seeds, curry leaves, and spices, adding a burst of flavour to each bite. To complement the dosa, a fragrant and hearty sambar is served alongside, a flavourful lentil-based stew made with a medley of vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, and eggplant, simmered in a rich broth of tamarind, spices, and aromatic herbs. As you tear off pieces of the crispy dosa and dip them into the savoury sambar and flavourful chutneys, you'll experience a symphony of tastes and textures that tantalize the taste buds and transport you to the bustling streets and vibrant markets of Sri Lanka.

Kottu-The sounds and flavours of Lanka on a plate!

Sri Lankan kottu roti meal offers a unique and satisfying culinary experience that combines the comforting flavours of shredded roti with an array of savoury ingredients, resulting in a dish that is both hearty and flavourful. At the heart of the meal is the "kottu roti," a popular street food delicacy made from chopped pieces of godamba roti, a type of Sri Lankan flatbread, stir-fried with a medley of ingredients on a hot griddle. The rhythmic chopping of the roti on the griddle is not just a cooking technique but also a form of culinary theatre, creating a symphony of sizzling sounds that signal the creation of this beloved dish. Served steaming hot and fragrant, the kottu roti is a delicious medley of textures and flavours, with the crispy bits of roti mingling with tender chunks of meat, vegetables, and aromatic spices. Common variations of kottu roti include chicken kottu, beef kottu, and vegetable kottu, each offering its own unique blend of ingredients and seasonings.

Accompanying the kottu roti are a variety of condiments and side dishes, adding depth and complexity to the meal. This may include a spicy chili paste, tangy lime pickle, or cooling yogurt-based raita, providing a balance of flavours and textures that enhance the overall dining experience. As you savour each bite of the fragrant kottu roti, accompanied by the tantalizing array of condiments and side dishes, you'll experience a culinary journey that celebrates the vibrant street food culture of Sri Lanka.

Short Eats ain’t for the faint hearted!

Sri Lankan short eats meal paired with an iced coffee offers a delightful culinary experience that combines savoury snacks with refreshing beverages, creating a perfect balance of flavours and textures. At the heart of the meal are an assortment of savoury short eats, bite-sized snacks that are beloved across the island for their delicious flavours and satisfying textures. These may include favourites such as fish cutlets, vegetable roti, chicken rolls, and stuffed pastries, each offering its own unique blend of spices and fillings.

Served hot and fresh from the oven, the short eats tantalize the taste buds with their crispy exteriors and flavourful fillings, providing the perfect accompaniment to the refreshing iced coffee. The iced coffee, a beloved beverage in Sri Lanka, is a cooling and invigorating treat made with freshly brewed coffee, milk, sugar, and ice. Served in a tall glass, the iced coffee offers a refreshing contrast to the savoury flavours of the short eats, providing a burst of energy and revitalization with every sip.