Sri Lanka is an exotic paradise for tourists from western world. Everything here differs: from the climate to the flora, fauna and cuisine. The last one deserves special attention. Here is the list of the best national food in Sri Lanka and traditional dishes to try.
Popular Traditional Dishes in Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan cuisine can be briefly described as a variety of rice dishes with coconut milk. Fresh vegetables, perfectly cooked meat and even fruits are added to these ingredients.
To save some money, you can try fruits and different meals from them not in cafes, but in the markets.
In Sri Lankan markets you will find mango, jackfruit, papaya, rambutan, lychee, Bengal quince and many other exotic fruits. You can also ask to make a dessert, salad or smoothie at the exit from the market for only 20-40 rupees.
Sri Lankan Curry
This is the most popular dish of every Sri Lankan family. There are many variations when it comes to curry: meat, seafood, chicken, fish or lentil curry for vegetarians. Along with curry, you will be served a bowl of rice and snacks from vegetables and fruits, that are stewed in coconut milk. Due to this they are incredibly soft. Sri Lankan dishes are usually very spicy, so it’s better to eat them with boiled rice or flatbread.
String Hoppers
This is a traditional Sri Lankan breakfast of steamed rice noodles. String hoppers are served with meat or fish sauce, stewed vegetables or even can be served as a dessert.
In the latter version, coconut milk with cane sugar are used as a topping. If you’re traveling to Sri Lanka with children, they will especially appreciate this meal.
Hoppers
And again rice with coconut. This dish is also customary to eat for breakfast, because hoppers are a thin openwork rice pancake on coconut flour. It is fried without oil, and scrambled eggs, vegetables or meat are added to the center. Be sure to order a dish in local cafes: it will turn out cheap and satisfying.
Kottu
The basis of the dish was a finely chopped cake made from coconut flour. It is fried until golden brown and seasoned with a topping of your choice: egg, meat, chicken.
Stewed vegetables and hot chili are added to all this. Be sure to ask to make it not spicy if you are not used to scalding food and do not want to spoil your trip to Sri Lanka with stomach problems.
Is food expensive in Sri Lanka?
Food prices in Sri Lanka are much lower than in many resort countries. The cheapest place to eat is in a cafe for locals, but don’t expect high quality service there. On average, food in Sri Lanka costs as follows:
- lunch in a cheap cafe – $ 2;
- lunch for two in a middle-class restaurant – 10-11 USD;
- fast food lunch – $4;
- 0.5 local foamy drink – $ 1.4;
- 0.5 foreign beer – 2.5 dollars;
- cappuccino coffee – 2.5 dollars.
Portions are big enough. Traditional dishes are hearty, so everyone can eat one serving.
