Though Sri Lankan food has parallels to South Indian food, yet it remains distinctly its own form of cuisine.

Throughout years of colonization and influence from other countries, Sri Lanka has adapted its food culture into a blend of different curry concoctions and tasty dishes.

A few things about Sri Lankan food can be said with certainty: Sri Lankans thoroughly love spices, they love food that explodes with flavor, and many enjoy deep fried, and very tasty, snacks. Whatever you choose to eat in Sri Lanka, your mouth is going to rejoice with happiness.

Sri Lanka, being an island with a tropical climate, coconuts and fish are two of the most influential components of Sri Lankan cuisine. Fish is made into curries, and coconut in some form or another, is a dominant ingredient in cooking.

Rice and curry is the Sri Lankan staple, though various kinds of bread, both roti style flatbreads and even loaves of bread, are very common.

Go ahead and grab yourself a paratha and sit back to check out these 40 foods you can’t miss when you’re in Sri Lanka!

Sri Lankan Fish Curry and Rice
Fish Curry and Mixed Rice

1. Fish Curry and Mixed Rice

There’s nothing more common to eat as Sri Lankan food than a nutritious plate of rice and curry. You normally get a plate of rice piled with a few of the daily vegetable curries and a choice of fish curry as well.

A plate like the one above cost me 120 LKR ($1.09), but without fish it would have even been less.

Sri Lankan Fish Curry
Deviled Sweet and Sour Fish Curry

2. Deviled Sweet and Sour Fish Curry

There are a lot of different deviled dishes in Sri Lanka. This fish was deep fried and smothered in a lovely sweet and sour sauce and lightly fried again with red onions and banana peppers. It was excellent with fried rice and a flatbread paratha on the side.

Fish Curry - Sri Lanka
Chili Fish Curry

3. Chili Fish Curry

This particular fish curry in Sri Lanka reminded me of the Burmese food curry that I also highly enjoyed, except it was often a bit heavier on the spice blend, which I loved.

The fish curry in Sri Lanka was extremely fragrant, oily, and the sauce was marvelous with a giant plate of rice.

Daal Curry - Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan Daal Curry

4. Sri Lankan Dhal Curry (Parippu)

Dhal curry is one of the most commonly consumed staple dishes in Sri Lankan cuisine.

The dhal, usually masoor dhal which are red lentils, are often cooked in a beautiful blend of spices, and then a few spoons of coconut milk are added to create a rich stew.

Dhal curry is omnipresent in Sri Lanka, and it’s consumed with all forms of rice and bread.

Jackfruit Curry - Sri Lanka
Jackfruit Curry

5. Young Jackfruit Curry (Polos)

Sri Lankan food is famous for its curries – and “polos“, or young jackfruit curry, is one of my personal favorites.

Jackfruit is eaten in a number of different ripeness stages in Sri Lanka, but for preparing polos, the young, unripe jackfruit is used. The fruit is cut into chunks and simmered in a blend of rich spices.

This particular version (brown dish above) was so delicious, I couldn’t stop eating it. The pieces of jackfruit were tender, and tasted almost like a juicier version of a potato, and they were filled with the beautiful flavor spices.

Polos is so good, it could almost pass for chunks of tender beef!

Sri Lankan food
Gotukola Sambol

6. Gotukola Sambol (Pennywort Salad)

Green leafy vegetables aren’t the most common thing to eat in Sri Lanka, though the cooking does call for many tuberous vegetables. But anyway, since I love green veggies, I ate a dish known as Gotukola Sambol, frequently during my visit.

Gotukola is the word for Asiatic pennywort, a small leafy green vegetable that’s common throughout southeast Asia. Sambol is the word used to describe a dish or garnish that prepared and eaten using raw ingredients. So gotukola sambol is a basically Sri Lankan salad garnish.

The gotukola is first sliced very finely, then mixed with grated coconut meat, red onions, and a few extra spices for seasoning. Asiatic pennywort has a very green flavor, I think it can be compared to the green flavor of kale, and it’s refreshing and crisp.

I think I could call it the Middle Eastern tabbouleh of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan Food
Sri Lankan Beetroot Curry

7. Beetroot Curry

A plate of Sri Lankan curry and rice is complete only when a nice helping of beetroot curry is included! No that’s not really true, you can have a plate of curry without beetroot. However, when I was traveling in Sri Lanka, I came to love the beetroot curry – it’s such a wonderful dish.

The beets are diced up before being cooked to death with a number of spices including cinnamon and curry leaves. The beets are nice and soft, and rich in flavor.

Throughout the duration of my stay, I just couldn’t get enough of this blood red vegetable, that tastes so good with other curries.

Vegetable Kottu - Sri Lanka
Vegetarian Kottu

8. Vegetarian Kottu

An extremely popular Sri Lankan street food dish is known as kottu or kottu roti.

Essentially it is composed of shredded pieces of Sri Lankan godamba roti, which is sort of like a giant sized paratha (an oily fried piece of thin dough), that is stir fried with an assortment of spices and a choice of other meaty (or vegetarian) ingredients.

Kottu roti is sort of like the “hamburger” of Sri Lanka, something that’s so tasty, available as a fast meal, and it’s basically nearly impossible to resist.

To take things even to the next level, kottu is usually served with a separate bowl of curry sauce, used to moisten and add extra flavor to the stir fried flatbread.

Egg Kottu in Sri Lanka
Egg Kottu

9. Egg Kottu

Another variation of kottu is with vegetables and egg – a very good combo, one of my particular favorite variations of the dish.

The vegetables include a few meager sprigs of leek, onions, and cabbage, and the sizzling godamba roti is lathered with egg to make it even richer…and more delicious.

The egg adds some extra protein, which is always a good thing.

Cheese Kottu - Sri Lanka
Cheese Kottu

10. Cheese Kottu

If vegetarian kottu is the hamburger of Sri Lanka, cheese kottu is the quadruple bacon cheeseburger.

Yellow curry powder flavor is bumped up a few notches with cheese kottu and it’s a Sri Lankan food that you just can’t miss. The cheese is not traditional yellow cheese, but rather more like cottage milk cheese.

Check out this VIDEO of Kottu being cooked!

(If you can’t see the video, watch it here: http://youtu.be/k0Ksq9QtPUw)

Pretty cool song…yah?

Sri Lankan Rice and Curry
Fried Salted Fish

11. Fried Salted Fish

Little fried and salted fish are a lovely addition to Sri Lankan food. Unlike saucy curry, little fish are heavily salted and deep fried so they are crunchy. Their texture and flavor goes well with a plate of vegetarian curry and rice.

Also, Maldive fish are a popular ingredient for Sri Lankan dishes. The little salted fish are included in a range of different sambol chili sauces and they are often included in lunu miris, an onion chili sauce that goest with all sorts of Sri Lankan dishes.

Sri Lankan Deep Fried Chicken Fried Rice
Deep Fried Chicken Fried Rice

12. Deep Fried Chicken Fried Rice

If only more countries in the world knew about fried chicken fried rice, it would be integrated into cuisines around the world…guaranteed.

I don’t think there’s much need for explanation; Take fried chicken and make fried rice with it.

Sri Lankan Vegetable Fried Rice
Egg Fried Rice

13. Egg Fried Rice

Though it’s made in a wok and looks like an item off a Chinese or Thai street food menu, Sri Lankan fried rice still tastes like Sri Lankan food.

It could be the assortment of ingredients or the hint of cumin that accompanies the rice. Nevertheless, a number of Chinese influenced dishes remain popular as Sri Lakan food staples.

Sri Lankan Rice and Curry
Brinjal Eggplant

14. Brinjal Eggplant (Wambatu Moju)

Though I ate many Sri Lankan dishes, the candied brinjal eggplant (black stuff towards the right) was one that I couldn’t get enough of. Though I ate it like a curry when I was in Sri Lanka, it’s actually referred to more as a pickle.

The eggplant is cooked to death with salt, oil, soy sauce, and sugar until it becomes fall apart tender and the sugar begins to caramelize. Though I’m not the biggest fan of sweet things, this eggplant was to die for, and I tried to eat it with every plate of rice and curry that I had.

Chicken Curry - Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan Chicken Curry

15. Sri Lankan Chicken Curry (kukul mas curry)

I have read that Sri Lankan food is difficult to master, simply because everyone has their own variation of each dish, and previously no recipes were written; Basically no chicken curry will taste exactly the same throughout the country, everyone has their own recipe and ratio of spices and ingredients.

When I was in Pusselawa, I had the privilege to stay at a grandmother’s home in the rolling tea fields. Everyday I’d go to the market and buy some meat and she’d cook it up, tempering the spices, squeezing fresh coconut milk, and creating some of the best curries I’ve ever had in my life.

This clay pot of Grandmother’s home-made chicken curry goes down as one of the top 10 flavors that has ever entered my mouth .

Rice and Mallung - Sri Lanka
Cobra Chilies

16. Cobra Chilies

It’s not exactly a Sri Lankan food, but those innocent looking chili peppers on the plate above are far from kind.

Known as the “Cobra Chili,” these little guys were so delicious, but they nearly burnt a hole in my tongue.

Jaffna Food
Northern Sri Lankan Tamil Food

17. Sri Lankan Tamil Food (Jaffna)

Some of my favorite Sri Lankan meals were from the northern Tamil tip of Jaffna.

This outrageously tasty meal included yellow rice, an assortment of vegetable and seafood curries, a few parathas, and a number of heaping spoons full of tomato onion garnish.

If you’re ever in Jaffna, you should have a meal at Hotel Rolex – they serve some pretty tasty dishes, and the staff when I ate there were all friendly and helpful.

Sri Lankan Rice and Curry
Ela Batu Thai Eggplant Curry

18. Ela Batu (Thai Eggplant Curry)

Believe it or not, Sri Lankan food includes a dish that is quite similar to Thai green curry, known as ela batu. Along with eating as much wambatu moju as I could, I also enjoyed quite a few servings of ela batu during my visit.

Thai eggplant, which are the small golf ball sized eggplants, are used in the dish, plus a similar, but uniquely Sri Lankan tasting green curry sauce is what holds the dish together. It was less sweet and more spice filled than a typical Thai green curry.

Jaffna Squid Curry
Squid Curry

19. Squid Curry (Cuttlefish)

This Jaffna squid was chopped into small pieces before being fried with peppers, onions, and a spice filled tomato based sauce.

In Sri Lanka they normally call squid as cuttlefish, so when you order, usually

Candied Shrimp Curry
Candied Shrimp Curry

20. Candied Shrimp Curry

When I spotted these little blacked shrimps in the glass cabinet in Jaffna, I couldn’t pass them up. Luckily they were just as tasty as they looked, a marvelous blend of curry spices coating each and every part of the shrimp bodies.

Egg Hoppers
Egg Hoppers (Appa)

21. Egg Hoppers (Appa)

Hoppers which are also known as appa, are an iconic food of Sri Lanka.

It begins with a simple pancake batter that’s spruced up with coconut milk and a splash of toddy (Sri Lankan palm wine). The unique part is that hoppers are cooked in small “wok” like rounded pans so the dough cooks thick and soft on the bottom, and thin and crunchy around the edges.

The texture and even taste is quite similar to Ethiopian injera bread. Hoppers can be ordered plain, or even better with a fried egg in the middle.

There’s also string hoppers, which are made from a thicker rice flour based batter, squeezed into thin noodles, and then steamed. String hoppers are normally eaten for breakfast or dinner, along with a variety of different curry.

Sri Lankan Pol Sambol
Pol Sambola – Spicy Coconut Garnish

22. Pol Sambola (Spicy Coconut Relish)

This Sri Lankan food may be one of the simplest things to make, yet one of the most amazing bowls of deliciousness that Sri Lanka has contributed to the world, known as pol sambol.

It highlights the almighty coconut, a fruit that’s integral in Sri Lankan cooking. Pol salmbol is merely a mixture of shredded coconut, chili powder or dried chilies, lime juice, red onions, and salt – and believe me, every bite is like a miracle come true.

I could graze on pol sambola for hours at a time. Pol sambola is perfect to eat with bread, roti, or on top of rice, or with curry. Actually is delicious to eat with anything, or even plain by itself.

I was craving pol sambol so badly that I had to make it myself… Enjoy the video…

(If you can’t see the video, watch it on YouTube here)

Onion Sambola
Onion Sambola

23. Lunu Miris (Onion Sambol)

Along with coconut relish (pol sambol), Sri Lanka’s pounded onion and chili sauce known as lunu miris is nearly as delicious.

Luni miris is the combination of chilies, onions, salt, and occasionally a few bits of Maldive fish for extra flavor. The ingredients are ground into a chunky paste using a Sri Lankan mortar and pestle (more like a flat stone and rolling pin, as opposed to a Thai style mortar and pestle).

The result is a superb sambol chili sauce that goes well with just about everything. I loved it so much, when I was eating meals in Sri Lanka, I would normally ask for a side of lunu miris and a side of pol sambol.

Roti Protein in Sri Lanka
Roti Protein (aka Sri Lankan Chorizo)

24. Roti Protein (aka Sri Lankan Chorizo!)

This is not a common Sri Lankan food, but after devouring this burrito looking roti in Kandy I couldn’t help from including it on this list.

It was phenomenal…and though it was all soy protein, it tasted nearly identical to Mexican pork chorizo and eggs (more details on this to come).

Pittu - Sri Lankan Funnel Cake
Pittu – Flour and Coconut Funnel Cakes

25. Pittu (Flour and Coconut Funnel Cakes)

Sri Lankan pittu funnel cakes are a combination of flour (either rice of karukan), fresh shredded coconut, and a handful of desiccated coconut. The precious little cakes are traditionally steamed in bamboo, but now are sometimes steamed in circular metal tubes.

After being cooked, the crumbly textured pittu cakes are served with fresh sweetened coconut milk.

Coconut Roti and Curry - Sri Lanka
Pol Roti and Potato Curry

26. Pol Roti and Potato Curry

Roti in Sri Lanka is less greasy and more of a thick tortilla like flatbread (paratha are the greasy flat-breads).

In Sri Lanka, roti are made with freshly grated coconut, flour, water and salt. They are made into balls of dough, flattened, and then cooked on a hot griddle.

Any form of spicy curry sauce handles the task of being the dip for a delicious pol roti. I especially enjoyed eating pol roti for breakfast along with a big fresh bowl of pol sambol (coconut relish sambol).

Paratha Bread
Paratha Flatbread

27. Paratha Flatbread

What’s known as paratha in Sri Lanka is similar to a roti in Malaysian food, or an African chapati.

The greasy flaky flat-bread is melt in your mouth delicious, especially when dipped in coconut milk curry sauce. YUM.

Sri Lankan Omelet
Sri Lankan Omelet

28. Sri Lankan Omelet

Sri Lankan omelets are loaded up with local spices like cumin and curry powder and then simmered in a layer of oil coconut oil so it turns golden brown. Over a plate of rice and alongside some shredded coconut garnish, a Sri Lankan omelet is heavenly.

Uludhu Vadai
Ulundhu Vadai

29. Ulundhu Vadai

These marvelously tasty little fritters are made from daal, combined with incredible spices, and deep fried to crunchy perfection.

Cassava Chips - Sri Lanka
Cassava Chips

30. Cassava Chips

I was excited to see a giant street food cart filled with my favorite kind of junk food: cassava chips. I had enjoyed countless handfuls of cassava chips while growing up in Kenya.

50 LKR ($0.45) will get you a small paper bag of salty chips at Galle Face beach in Colombo.

Deep Fried Jackfruit Seeds - Sri Lanka
Deep Fried Jackfruit Seeds

31. Deep Fried Jackfruit Seeds

Another popular snack in Sri Lanka are deep fried jackfruit seeds. They are salted and served in small paper bags made from scrap paper.

Some of the Sri Lankan street food carts and snacks even reminded me of Egyptian street food.

Deep Fried Sri Lankan Snacks
Deep Fried Morsels

32. Deep Fried Morsels

As you may have noticed by now, though there are many vegetarian dishes, Sri Lankan food is not all that healthy.

On top of that, Sri Lanka is a country that loves their deep fried snacks. These snacky morsels of batter were heavily salty and seasoned with fried curry leaves.

Coconut Roti and Chili Flakes
Coconut Roti and Chili Salt

33. Coconut Roti and Chili Salt

This little gem of a snack was purchased on the train from Colombo to Kandy. It’s basically a little piece of coconut infused solid flat-bread topped with a marvelous flaky salty chili sauce.

It almost tasted like a Sri Lankan mini pizza.

Sri Lankan Samosas
Sri Lankan Samosas

34. Sri Lankan Samosas

From Indian food to Kenyan dishes, samosas have become a popular snack from coast to coast. Some are filled with meat, while others are vegetarian.

Fish and Vegetable Roti
Fish and Vegetable Roti

35. Fish and Vegetable Roti

The triangular looking pockets are a form of roti filled with a range of different ingredients. Fish was my preferred filling, but there were also some nice vegetarian versions available. Instead of being deep fried like samosas, triangle roti’s are just skillet fried.

Sri Lankan Short Eats
Sri Lanka Fish Cutlet Balls and Chinese Egg Rolls

36. Sri Lanka Fish Cutlet Balls and Chinese Egg Rolls

The Chinese egg rolls in Sri Lanka were so-so, but the fish cutlet balls (pictured above) were absolutely wonderful. It’s like a little grenade of fish packed into a breaded ball and deep fried.

When it comes to short eats in Sri Lanka, there’s no need to go any further than the fish cutlets – they are delicious.

Sri Lanka Curd and Syrup
Full Cream Curd and Sweet Syrup

37. Full Cream Curd and Sweet Syrup

In India, curd is often eaten with rice or mixed with something; In Sri Lanka curd is devoured drizzled with kithul treacle – syrup made from liquid jaggery.

At first this “curd” sounded a little bizarre to me, but when I tried it, I was amazed and wanted to eat more for every consecutive breakfast.

Sri Lankan curd tastes very similar to what I know as plain yoghurt. It’s creamy, slightly sour, and the sweet syrup on top makes it absolutely fantastic.

Woodapple Juice
Woodapple Juice

38. Woodapple Juice

Yup, the outer shell smells a bit like rotting blue cheese mixed with dirty socks. The inside of the fruit looks a bit like diarrhea, but tastes similar to a tamarind. But hey, as a religious fan of durian, I’m not one to judge a fruit by its shell.

Despite the looks of this wonder fruit, woodapple juice in Sri Lanka is wildly popular – and I’ll be first to admit that it tastes pretty good when it’s blended up with some sugar!

There’s nothing better to wash down Sri Lankan food with, than a big cup of woodapple juice!

King Coconut - Sri Lanka
King Coconut

39. King Coconut

No component of Sri Lankan food is more vital than that holy coconut. In Sri Lanka there are many varieties of this special fruit, including the orange colored king coconut.

These coconuts line the streets around the country and are sold just for their sweet water. Each coconut costs from 30 – 40 LKR ($0.27 – $0.36).

Milk Tea - Sri Lanka
Ceylon Milk Tea

40. Ceylon Milk Tea

Sri Lanka (formerly known as Ceylon) is one of the world’s leading producers of tea – no trip to the country would be the same without multiple cups a day.

Milk tea as well as ginger tea and plain tea are all popular and widely available choices.

Sri Lankan Food

Sri Lankan food is full of spices and exciting to the taste buds. At just an average of $1 – $2 for a giant meal, Sri Lanka is a culinary playground for sampling amazing dishes!

Have you had Sri Lankan food?

Colombo Travel Video

If you have a few minutes check out this video!

Thanks for Watching

394 comments. I'd love to hear from you!

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  • ilan

    8 months ago

    Your blog is a reflection of your dedication and passion for your chosen subject matter.

  • Fred

    1 year ago

    All those dishes look amazing ! I want to eat everything rofl

  • Kirby Jersey

    1 year ago

    look here

  • Arlie Shatzer

    1 year ago

    websites

  • Janella Caughell

    1 year ago

    explanation

  • Que faire en Europe

    1 year ago

    south korean is an amazing country. Cazn’t wait to go here

  • leaf filter

    1 year ago

    All these dishes look amazing, would love to try some of them.

  • Faye

    2 years ago

    Interesting as invited to a Sri Lankan restaurant and can’t eat hot spices so liked the look of
    Sweet n Sour fish

  • Kitchen Tiles

    3 years ago

    I introduced my husband and his parents to Sri Lankan food and now they love it too – especially my father-in-law who eats pol sambol by the bowl full! I’ve actually just written an article about all the wonderful vegan and vegetarian Sri Lankan food there is out there as not many people know how good the food can be for vegans and vegetarians.

  • Sasha

    3 years ago

    Oh I loved this article – you really love and appreciate Sri Lankan food! Wambatu moju and pol sambol are some of my favourite Sri Lankan dishes and just remind me of my childhood, as we used to have rice and various curries for dinner every night, despite the fact we were growing up in England. I introduced my husband and his parents to Sri Lankan food and now they love it too – especially my father-in-law who eats pol sambol by the bowl full! I’ve actually just written an article about all the wonderful vegan and vegetarian Sri Lankan food there is out there as not many people know how good the food can be for vegans and vegetarians. Thanks again for the wonderful article.

  • Ng

    3 years ago

    First it’s not chili salt , because many Sri Lankan’s say it as lunu miris ( in Sinhala lunu is salt and loonu is onion 🧅’) so translated to English , I think it should be chili onion Sambol. Sri Lankan’s say it as lunu miris. Anyhoo love this , a great collection of food items. Hope you loved every one of them

    • hansi

      3 years ago

      yeah sure. thats correct

  • Chameli

    3 years ago

    I’m so proud of you my country Sri Lanka

  • David Alexander

    5 years ago

    Heading off to sri lanka next July for a foodies trip around the island. Your suggestions will be followed up when I get there – really looking forward to trying them!!

  • Joe Mcdonald

    6 years ago

    Hi, thanks for this great guide to sri lankan food . Where will we find jackfruit curry? We are in south sri lanka at the moment.
    Thanks

  • Vinny

    6 years ago

    I love sri lanka food

  • Alan

    6 years ago

    My absolute favourite is the Jackfruit Fritters which are served at the Agricultural food stalls. Please if you know the recipe please let me know. They are a delicious peppery ball of spice. I couldn’t get enough of this delicious snack.

  • Prasanna Weerawardane

    7 years ago

    You might need to add Avacados as a dessert and drinks: Sri Lankan Avacados are really good and huge : they take a few days to ripen though but with the wait

  • Chota Bheem app

    7 years ago

    This is a great article to introduce different types of Sri Lankan food.
    Amazing foods in Sri Lanka. My favourite is Curd & Treacle. What a taste. Thank you guys and will come again to have these.

  • Rinjani Backpacker

    7 years ago

    Foods in Srilanka even many of them look quite similar with what we found in India but the tastes are different. I love the curry very much, nice to eat with a bread: something I never see in my country.

  • Firnaz Fouz

    7 years ago

    what about snakes, cockroach, frog and gekos.

    • Maithree

      6 years ago

      Those were never in Sri Lankan menu. Koreans and some other Asian countries do.

  • John johnson

    7 years ago

    Just saw wood apple juice this is killing me now!!!! I loved that!!!

  • John johnson

    7 years ago

    Just came across this; as I was in Sri Lanka last year and this really brought back some great memories! Beautiful country and beautiful food! Well done, great page, inspired me to try and make some egg hoppers!!!!

    • Mark Wiens

      7 years ago

      Thank you very much John, glad you enjoyed your trip to Sri Lanka!

  • Jou senaru

    7 years ago

    Thanks you for sharing the beauty of srilanka to the whole world!

  • Jou senaru

    7 years ago

    Hello Mark thank you for sharing the beauty of srilanka to the whole world!

  • o quang cao ngoai troi

    7 years ago

    hay

  • Thinu

    7 years ago

    What a great list. But there are many other traditional food in Sri Lanka. I suggest you to go around the country because there are many dishes unique to different provinces.

  • Jayani

    7 years ago

    This is a real treat! I’m a Sri Lankan food blogger and just stumbled across this article. I must say, you do know your Sri Lankan! Delightful!

  • Liyanage

    7 years ago

    why you posted with this video Tamil songs, They have beautiful Sinhala sons. Main Language is Sinhalese.

    • Amendra Dodampahala

      7 years ago

      Yes this is not real Sri lanka .. this Guy is misleading the travelers, he has given a Tamil inspiration to his videos. This is Junk and Unhealthy Street food …

    • Celina

      7 years ago

      Everton knows Tamil cooking has more depth! 🙂

  • Tim

    7 years ago

    Hi Mark! What a great list you have here! I’ll definitely plan to use this to guide me a bit through all of the many food choices in Sri Lanka.
    I’m just curious if you also have specific restaurants or guest houses to suggest, where one can try these amazing dishes? Thanks! Tim

    • Mark Wiens

      7 years ago

      Great to hear that, thank you Tim. Unfortunately, back when I wrote this post I didn’t really take good notes, and I mostly ate at just random street food stalls. However, in the evening, definitely check out Galle Face along the coast for some street food.

  • Dona Sudarsani

    7 years ago

    As a Sri Lankan, foodie and food blogger, I really enjoyed this article and the photos. Sri Lankan food is just so incredible!

  • Asanka Miah

    7 years ago

    Being a foodie, I love all the flavours of my country but Kothu, Fish Curry and Mixed Rice, Sea food is my favourite one. Thanks for sharing such a great list of Sri lankan with everyone.
    Loved your blog. And keep on eating, writing and exploring new flavours of the other countries 🙂

  • Yoshan jayasinghe

    7 years ago

    Wow nice job Mark Weins.As a Srilankan/ srilanka guide I’m so happy to see this video of yours. its amazing and gives some knowledge about the capital city of srilanka to all the my foreign friends who want to visit my country. you should also try kawum next time your here in srilanka as for that my favorite food 🙂 drop me a text [email protected]

  • Paul Billington

    8 years ago

    HI Mark, I am already subscribed to your Thai website. I was just looking at Sri Lankan food websites as this year we are going to Sri Lanka and not Thailand. I could not believe when I came across this website from you. We will be in Bentota in about 4 weeks time, can you recommend any hawker stalls there? Thanks in advance. Paul Billington

  • Kris

    8 years ago

    Love the article. You’ve picked the best in SL.

  • Naushard

    8 years ago

    I love them..such an amazing authentic food that we got..add more traditional food such as “nelum ala” thanks . All the best

  • Jeanne

    8 years ago

    I enjoyed the “memory lane” of all the dishes, which I remembered as a child in Ceylon. I shall definitely try the kalu dodol recipe, in the microwave. I remember buying seeni sambol sandwiches and a piece of sugary, milk toffee, from the girls’ school in Bambalapitya!

  • Sean O Tuama

    8 years ago

    What a fabulous array of food,coconut chillis rice lemons whatever meat available,wonderful for sure and so looking forward to getting to the island in December.

    • Mark Wiens

      8 years ago

      Thank you Sean, awesome to hear that. Hope you have a great upcoming tip to Sri Lanka!

  • Diyan Fonseka

    8 years ago

    Hey Mark,
    I’ve been following your food Adventures for quite a while now and I really enjoyed your Jordan vlogs! This article reminded me of all the foods I’m missing out on as I’m not living in Sri Lanka.. Hope you visit Sri Lanka soon again so that I can revisit all the places and visually enjoy the foods through your vlogs! Thanks and keep on producing this awesome content!!

    • Mark Wiens

      8 years ago

      Thank you very much Diyan, appreciate your support!

  • Ashok

    8 years ago

    Oh Mark ! What have you done ?
    I’m a Sri Lankan living in Sydney and I don’t think I need to live here anymore ! This reminded me all the memories of that divine tastes which I have buried in my memory for so long. Now I cannot exist without this !

    • Mark Wiens

      8 years ago

      Hey Ashok, thank you very much, hope you can get some good Sri Lankan food soon!

  • Eshani Hettiarachchi

    8 years ago

    Hi. I am a Sri Lankan. Nuce article. But u missed string hoppers. Pani appa. Candy like Kaum .kokis. aluwa… kiri hodi which is a curry of coconut milk seasoned with spices and onions.. u missed herbal porriege made with coconut milk and leaves. You missed milk rice also which is the rice cooked with coconut milk. Thosei.. mushroom curry. Or there are lot. Pumpkin curry. Cucumber salad. Banana buds curry. Of course coconut and spices are the everything in our food

  • Philip

    8 years ago

    Hi Mark.
    Came by your web site by accident, now its in my favourites !! I too love food all over the world. Just one question for you – how do you get over the street signs for food in the local language to determine just what they are. I think I’ve missed out on some local delicacies at times by not being able to understand what is being cooked and the spoken language is often poor.

  • Dulanjali

    8 years ago

    Hello Mark! thank you for sharing the beauty of srilanka to the whole world. its great, your video is superb, but i suggest you get someone to do some alterations to your background songs, some are not very appropriate, just a suggestion! for example the song behind the scene of Gangaramaya temple.

  • amandi perera

    8 years ago

    hi i am a sri lankan but i am raised in UAE so i kinda dont know so many kida food but this website has helped me oh and ow did u feel about my lovely country.☺????

    • Mark Wiens

      8 years ago

      Hey Amandi, good to hear from you, glad this is helpful!

  • Billy

    8 years ago

    Both me and my wife are going on holiday for a month in January 2017 wathched all your you tubes on Sri Lanka so interesting and so helpful as I’m a big foody to thankyou kind regards Billy ps keep up the excellent work both you and your wife

    • Mark Wiens

      8 years ago

      Hey Billy, glad you’ll be going to Sri Lanka, thanks!

  • Marc

    8 years ago

    Love the list and I am leaving for Colombo in April and I would definitively try some of. Those.

  • donisa scalzo

    8 years ago

    I love dual curry can u help

    • Mark Wiens

      8 years ago

      Good to hear that Donisa!

    • Mune

      8 years ago

      almost 4 years. But still very helpful Mark.
      Thank you

  • Dhanushka Gamage

    8 years ago

    Me being a Sri Lankan really enjoyed the article Mark! Even tho I’ve tasted these food a countless number of times it was still interesting and exiting to see. And there’s many more dishes you should try that’ll take you to heaven. Visit again. Love from SL <3

  • massimo manuelli

    8 years ago

    Very useful

  • martine hess

    9 years ago

    thank you for this video

  • Sanjana

    9 years ago

    Hi, I definitely enjoyed this list it was very interesting seeing my cuisine in the eyes of a foreigner. However I did I have a small issue, as you frequently called Godamba roti’s, Roti Paratha. While this is an easy mistake, paratha’s being indian, and roti paratha’s coming from malaysia (similar to roti canai), it is a difference I had to point out.

    • Mark Wiens

      9 years ago

      Hi Sanjana, thank you very much, and thank you for the feedback. I’ll look into that, thank you!

  • Vanessa O

    9 years ago

    Great tips! I’m on a trip around the world and leaving for Sri Lanka tomorrow. Good to see there is a lot of variety. This post has me really excited for the food!

    • Mark Wiens

      9 years ago

      Hey Vanessa, great to hear that, hope you’re having an amazing trip and enjoy Sri Lankan food!

  • Geethani

    9 years ago

    Thnx for this site. I am just away from my country and wanted to give information of some of our cuisines. I found your site and really I missed all the dishes here and it was lovely someone outside my country admiring the food. Thanks a lot again. I can promise that you will find most cheep but delicious meals in Sri lanka

    • Mark Wiens

      9 years ago

      Hi Geethani, great to hear from you, I really understand how you can miss your cuisine, Sri Lankan food is so good! I really hope to visit Sri Lanka again to eat more delicious food. Thanks again for reading.

  • Radley

    9 years ago

    That pol sambol watered my mouth just then . As a kid I remember having crusty bread with pol sambol when ever we stayed at our grandmas house in Kandy. it was so yum. Ingredients were the same but she also added crushed pepper and finely chopped curry leaves to her recipe .It was simply divine .

    • Mark Wiens

      9 years ago

      Hi Radley, thank you for sharing, my mouth is also watering just thinking about it – sounds so good with the curry leaves too.

  • jag

    10 years ago

    hi mark
    wat is the mode of payments u used everywhere throughout the country…?

    what is the better option for the above..?

    how much money i need to have in LKR for 5 days,
    are usd’s are accepted in street shops?

  • Karen

    10 years ago

    Green leafy vegetables are actually common in Srilanka (point 6), most homes eat the kind of greens in pic almost everyday. So are the vegetables in (point 7). .

  • Aditiyan Selvaratnam

    10 years ago

    First of all, Mark let me say what a great job you have done with your website. Keep it up.

    I am Sri Lankan and am very proud of my country’s cuisine. It is one of the most underrated cuisines in the world. I have had many European friends over for meals and even though they found the food very spicy the went for seconds.

    I live in Kuala Lumpur. So if you ever head this way again let me know.

    Kind regards,

    Aditiyan

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Hello Aditiyan, great to hear from you, thank you very much for your kind words. I really enjoyed my visit to Sri Lanka, and especially all the amazing food. Thank you for the offer, I’ll let you know if I come back to KL anytime soon.

  • Brandon

    10 years ago

    The food in Sri Lanka was such an excellent surprise! Surprised I didn’t see string hoppers on the list, I frequently ate them for breakfast with dhal or eggs.

    Here were my top 25 Sri Lankan foods!
    http://www.theyoganomads.com/travel/25-sri-lankan-foods-you-must-try/

  • Connie D

    10 years ago

    Hi Mark. Thanks so much for putting this post together! My trip to Sri Lanka is in a week’s time and I’ve equipped myself with a print-out of this post so that I won’t miss out on all the amazing food Sri Lanka has to offer!

    Keep up the good work 🙂

    Connie
    KL, Malaysia

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Hey Connie, you’re welcome, glad it’s helpful. Hope you have an amazing visit.

  • Sonya

    10 years ago

    Hi Mark, thanks for this site! I’m a Tamil Srilankan living in the States. You brought back lots of memories of the delicious food I grew up eating. I showed the videos to my kids especially the traditional way of making Kottu roti. My kids help make it at home and now they want the steel ‘choppers’ 🙂

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Hey Sonya, very cool, thank you for sharing, and glad this brought back food memories. Those steel choppers are awesome!

  • Chathuni Ravinga

    10 years ago

    Helloooo!! I am a student lived in Sri Lanka and I have studied there.But now sadly I am in Australia….I found this website through searching Sri Lankan food delacacies for my food technology assessment….I love Sri Lankan food even I am not now in there…Love you Sri Lanka…I am so proud to be a SRI LANKAN..!!Thank you for enjoying our cultural foods and sharing them with the world…even our country is soo small..

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Hey Chathuni, great to hear from you and thank you for reading this. I really enjoyed visiting your country and loved the food!

  • Joey Perera

    10 years ago

    Hi Mark,

    I am from Sri Lanka. I already sent you a mail as well. Don’t you like to visit here and learn more about Sri Lankan Food?

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Hey Joey, thank you for the message. Yes, would love to visit Sri Lanka again!

  • Piyumi

    10 years ago

    Hi Mark,

    Great piece of work..! you missed “Kokis” (one of Sri Lankan sweets) my favorite. Kokis are deep fried, made from Rice floor, Coconut milk, sugar and salt (some people add eggs). we use some molds to get the shape of Kokis. Try once..you would love to have again. (I love home made Kokis, we prepare Kokis for our Traditional Sinhala New Year Festival in April).

    http://www.foodcnr.com/2011/12/kokis-rosette-cookiesrice-cookies.html

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Hey Piyumi, thank you so much, and for the extra tip as well, sounds great!

  • Sonam

    10 years ago

    Dear Mark,

    I wanted you to suggest me at least 20 main course “fusion cuisine” menu for an eco-friendly restaurant in Sri Lanka which also uses the local products. It would be really appreciated. Thanks a ton!

  • Viragi

    10 years ago

    Hi Mark,
    Your great work on Sri Lankan food made me homesick.I am in US temporarily and right now thinking of tasty dishes my mother makes esp.the jack fruit curry(polos),a favorite of mine.
    Thank you so much for appreciating my country and it’s people.

  • Thanushka

    10 years ago

    If you like a replica of the Gotukola salad, Try kale.. (it’s not the exact same thing but close).
    Using a sharp knife Shred fresh 4 Kale leaves (cut off the stems). Add 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 cup thinly sliced red Onion, 1 thinly sliced pepper of your choice (I use serrano pepper), 1/4 cup shreaded coconut (optional), Salt and pepper to taste. Mix everything by hand and try with steamed rice and a meat curry.

  • Near

    10 years ago

    And if you want to try more things I can advise you: (except if you already have tasted):
    Dosai
    Idli (I personally don’t like but try)
    Idiyappam
    Wattapalan

  • Near

    10 years ago

    I’m really glad that you visited Sri Lanka and enjoyed this beautiful country and its delicious food. As a Tamil, I am very glad that you go through the north of the country (Jaffna).
    Finally someone who discovers the entire country.
    (sorry my english is not really good)

  • Shenali

    10 years ago

    I’m a Sri Lankan who’s studying away from home right now, and this just made me get so nostalgic 😀
    Thanks for this!
    And I’m really glad you enjoyed my country and the things it has to offer, food included!
    Funniest thing is I saw your video a long while ago, and im just seeing this post now.

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Hey Shenali, thank you for checking this out. I had such a great time visiting your country. Hope you can go back soon for a visit and to eat!

    • madusanka

      10 years ago

      sorry,this is for the reply..this topic has missed by anyone,roti is the name of indian.but real ancient name was “Thalapa”.as examples kurakkan thalapaya,mun thalapaya,and I need to say another thing,asins ..xpecialy the sri lankan Use the corn flour,and kurankan flour,Udu grant(uludu in india).so can be a similarity as the declining of lot of foods their fame.but I can say south indian food don’t have much coconut that mean coconut with the coconut milk.I tasted but I learn that.but I like to say don’t decide the foods with Sywer(road hotels made of the indian influence) hotels,cause those hotels have lot of culture,not only indian also chinese,wetern and lot of them.but Like These foods cause I don’t have any anger with any culture and respect their foods and very taste. but I think we
      have a spesific.kottu roti godhamba has modern culture. and godhamba,paratha don’t have much coconut milk.but
      thalapaya(ancient name).I could heard this from a book. but as some foods don’t insult for the traditional food in
      Sri lanka.and Sri Lankan foods are really different, but can see influence not only in India but also various culture.
      and some of them were modern famous I think so,but I have seen a same thing of south asia,lot of them like
      spicy food…the other thing is godamba roti,paratha has not coconut mixture. but can see coconut farina(dust).but
      in the ancient it had real coconut milk, so there was good healthy and wholesome,todays foods are going with
      economy not with health(mostly),so godhamba is tasty but not much healthfull,cause both these facts are
      important, that’s how food to be great…though I like lot of foods in this post.,cause they are good.I think some of them was unable to understand about the different between foods and political reasons. but i don’t remind about anything when I eat something.

      I can tell firstly learn about history before talking or debating about food. Food is not only for any nation or culture it’s only for our life to live,and don’t argue like this..cause it’s not good for our organs specialy for the digestant.food culture going with admixture as the globle situation or cultural reasons, and lot of them like to find new and different tastes.
      and these foods are related for lot of cultures.and I respect these cultures.and Sri lanka is a free and open and beautifull country,all belong to this culture,but I don’t like political revenge.cause some of them try to change sri lankan culture,I can give list of main and endimic foods of sri lanka,ok think if you are in India,there are lot of chinese foods and many of them like,how can be the indian food culture related for the china.
      that is the willing and selections are given by the people.lot of them like to taste the other and new influenced foods comes from anywhere.

      I like your replies,and Idiappan in S.indian and IDI Appa(Idiyappa).and but both these make in different ways.but I think and agree a little similar,but totally real sri lanka food depend on the spices and something like that.yes I like south indian foods but can’t eat much,cause those are not use much coconut milk and lot spices but too much water ….some of them say make stomachache,and heard lot of them don’t eat when they are any special moment like a sports,cause too much spices and water is not good for the foods,specialy for the players.(sport)..I’m sorry if you couldn’t understand.but don’t be anger I told truth and ..never say south Indian foods are bad.but the matter is too much spices,it makes lot of diseases. So don’t eat much spicy foods.

      Thanks mark,
      I think we need to thank for your dedication, finding for lot of important information for us.and I like your post. well done,and you give us meaningful things always..100%.

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Hey Madusanka, thank you so much for your comment and all the great information. I had a wonderful time eating in Sri Lanka, would love to return and learn more about the food!

  • Manoj Siriwardena

    10 years ago

    Heyyyyyyyyyy no.14 is actually sini sambol (litterally sugar sambol)! its not egg plant curry…its basically sliced onions fried with sugar and cinnamon and an assortment of spices. Tastiest shit EVER!

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Hey Manoj, ok cool, thanks for sharing. Yes that’s so tasty!

  • T

    10 years ago

    Hey Mark,

    I’m not sure if someone has pointed this out already (there are too many comments for me to read through!), but Kottu is NOT made of paratha! It is made of a different, thinner roti called a Godamba Roti.

    Great post, do come back and try what you’ve missed out!

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Hey T, ok great thank you for sharing that! I had a wonderful time in Sri Lankan and I hope to return in the future!

  • Vijitha

    10 years ago

    Mark after watching this you tempt me to eat some Sri Lankan food today, I have to drive 25 miles one way to my nearest Sri Lankan resturant and I am going to go there now, bye the way I live 29 miles out of London.

    Keep up your good work buddy

    • madusanka

      10 years ago

      see,but we have endemic and special foods.im talking about kottu or modern foods,but our real sri lankan foods target to make a healthy and strong person.kola kedda is a one example.there are lot of types,lot of midical plants,as the result of this.our nation said to be the kada varu…and there are lot of examples.a food need to help for the health and tasty also..

    • madusanka

      10 years ago

      i’m not talking about medicine but,some foods had a mixture of medical plants,that mean about health.cause kottu has not much health effects for us..but some what..

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Hey Vijitha, haha great to hear that, hope it was delicious!

  • Charlene

    10 years ago

    As much as it’s awesome that you’ve tried to put together the top 40 best foods of Sri Lanka I have to comment that it isn’t as close to the ‘best’ … I mean vadei? Really? That’s not even Sri Lankan! And if you are gonna list kotthu I think vegetable kottu doesn’t deserve a spot on your 40!

    Is there a reason you’ve gone as far as fish, veg, chicken and prawn in your list?? Have you ever tried the black pork curry?? Jaffna crab curry? Pulled pork sandwiches? Hot battered cuttlefish? All of which I’m sure if you’ve tried would be on your top 10!

    How about the chutneys and pickles? If dhala curry has made it to the list I’m sure you’ll agree that the above mentioned should be in too!!

    As for beverages … A lion beer is a classic and that’s a big Sri Lankan win don’t you think?

    I don’t mean to criticize you .. But I just think your missing the core of the best Sri Lankan foods!!

    Dude you’ve missed out if you haven’t eaten anything of what I’ve mentioned … Visit Sri Lanka again and make sure to get in touch with someone who can show you the real taste of Sri Lanka! Good luck!

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Hey Charlene, thank you so much for the extra food suggestions. Sri Lanka was one of the best countries I’ve ever visited, and I hope to go back again in the future to eat more and take your suggestions, thanks!

  • Amrita

    10 years ago

    Don’t forget Sri Lankan Ice Coffee.. delish! When I was in the US, and I ordered iced coffee, i was given a black coffee with ice cubes! Unfortunately, that is not the same as the creamy goodness that is ice coffee.. truly a drink worth mentioning!

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Hey Amrita, great thanks for the suggestion, would love to try it!

  • Raji

    10 years ago

    Thank you mark for making me realize that i have eaten more than 40 to 50 Sri Lankan food… My mouth is watering.. for last 5 years I am studying in abroad not many of those dishes i get to eat everyday… Thank you.. All the best.. If you have plan to visit Korea let me know

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Hey Raji, you’re welcome, thank you for checking this out. Great, will let you know if I visit Korea!

  • Kanchana

    10 years ago

    Thank for bring my home country foods online 🙂

  • madusanka

    10 years ago

    thanks mark ..

    and there are lot of foods in our villages and they are not famous..i have got some of them.and these are very famous in our country.i think lot of foods in sri lanka. “kola kedha”and “hath maluva” as exaples ..but if you want to eat tasty foods i think you better to go for the rural areas in si lanka then you will find lot….see you..come again to sri lanka

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Great, thank you for sharing. I hope to visit Sri Lanka again in the future to taste more delicious food!

  • Reem

    10 years ago

    Thanks a lot

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      You’re welcome Reem, thank you for checking it out!

  • Tom

    10 years ago

    Hey Mark;
    Just started looking at your site as I was checking out Sri Lankan food in anticipation of a Feb ’14 trip. The food looks incredible and makes me want to leave even sooner, but Mexico is between now and then. Started to look over the rest of your site and from the way you travel, you are a kindred soul. My wife and I have been going non-stop for about 7 years. Sri Lanka is a place we have wanted to go for years. Thanks for getting my taste buds revved up!

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Hey Tom, thanks for checking out my site, and great to hear that you’re on your way to Sri Lanka next year. It’s still one of my favorite countries I’ve visited. Have a great time in Mexico!

  • Roshen Desilva

    10 years ago

    Dear Brother Mark

    Are you a mixed SriLankan? It an amazing to watch your website, I am wondering that how you created this. You have spent years for that. Highly appreciate your great effort and hard works too. I am very proud of being a SriLankan and I was so happy when you were preparing SriLankan cuisines and eating them.
    I am really happy of you

    Please keep your continue love for SriLanka and support for it’s tourism industry also

    I know personally there is a big respect for people like you from Ministries of Economic Development and Tourism in SriLanka

    Please link with them, you may go for a long term execution

    When you are going to SriLanka again? Because the people are waiting ti hug you

    May triple gems

    Brother Roshen from Qatar

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Hello Roshen, great to hear from you and thank you so much for your kind words about my site. I’m not sure when I will go back to Sri Lanka again, but I really hope I can in the future!

  • Sarmilan

    10 years ago

    Hi Mark,

    Just came cross this article on Google, you have covered lots of Authentic food of SL, thank you for that.

    Another food you may want to try is called “Odiyal Cool”. this is stew type of food, where full of unique flavours, Odiyal is a type of flour comes from Palmarah tree. if interested try this link. t

    http://serendib.btoptions.lk/article.php?issue=2&id=21

    SL also famous for Blue crabs, where crispy crabs or even these get added to this Odiyal Cool along with fish, prawns, fish heads, salt fish, jackfruits, seeds, etc..

    As Sri Lankan food is not well known as India or thai food, so i take this opportunity to say thank you for doing this article.

    Thanks
    Sarm

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Hey Sarm, great thank you for sharing, that looks tasty!

  • RJ

    11 years ago

    Here are some things that you absolutely haveeeeee to tryyyy:
    1. Biriyani
    2. Pol pani pancakes
    3. Chicken/cuttle fish devil
    4. Lamprais
    5. Love cake and Christmas cake
    6. SL tamil food – like the masala dosas and sambar
    7. Wattalapam
    8. Nasi Goreng (SL manner)
    9. Rambutan, mangosteen, waraka, jambu (i think)
    10. Assorted drinks like avocado, passion fruit, etc
    11. Stuffed chilli curry

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Hey RJ, thank you for all these other delicious suggestions, sound wonderful. I really want to return to Sri Lanka!

    • Niki

      11 years ago

      Mmmmm…looks yummy, it should be healthy as they use lot of spices. is it hot? can any white person have? I love to travel Sri Lanka as its a nice country with lot of food varieties? have you tried all?

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Hey Niki, food is a little spicy, but not too much. I think you’ll enjoy it!

  • Hiranya Chandrasehar

    11 years ago

    Hi Mark!

    Just happened to come across this article on facebook…and was really happy to see that no.24 the Soy Rotti is indeed from our family business in Kandy! The shop is “The Soya Centre” and we specialize in a variety of natural soy based products!

    Please do come again! we’d love to have you and thank you for your lovely review

    Regards,
    Hiranya

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Hello Hiranya, great to hear from you and that’s awesome that that’s from your business. It was amazing, I loved it. When I go back to Kandy I will surely return for some delicious Soy Rotti!!

  • Ruby

    11 years ago

    Would it be possible to get any of these recipes? I’ve been trying to find recipes for these dishes.

  • dongfuongbatbai

    11 years ago

    Very interesting

  • Kumudini K

    11 years ago

    Mark! I think what you’re doing is wonderful! To be able to live to your desire of travelling is truly the highest blessing one could be bestowed upon with! But you have not included isso wadeeiii!!! That’s a heavenly food item and probably only here that you get it! I am a hard core fan of it being Sri Lankan myself! It’s basically a patty with prawns on top. A deep friend and given at the beaches usually! I cant imagine how you missed it if you went to Nana’s atthe galle face. There are so many carts which sell them down that stretch! 🙂 And I am telling you others who are planning on visiting Sri Lanka, our street food hardly gives you diarrhoea 😀 So i say come enjoy peoples!
    much love to everyone!

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Hey Kumudini, great to hear from you and thank you for checking out my blog. You know I saw that many times and somehow I was always just too full to try it, don’t know why I missed it, but I definitely remember seeing it. Next time I will surely eat it! I agree, street food in Sri Lanka is fantastic!

    • izzy

      11 years ago

      hey mark i love your article and the pictures made me want to jump through my computer screen and eat everything! as a sri lankan i think youve pictured many of my most fave foods. and if you would like recipes to a lot of dishes you tried in SL i highly recomend Malini’s kitchen.all the recipes are submitted by people and there are curries,desserts and everything under the sun that is sri lankan. if you would like to cook some more Sri Lankan foods try it out.great website

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Hey Izzy, thank you very much for the comment and for checking out this article. Thanks for the recipes website, I have checked that out and there are so many tempting things to cook. Sri Lankan food is so delicious! Thanks again!

  • basheer omar

    11 years ago

    Thanks God one 🙂

  • Gillian Careem

    11 years ago

    Amazing foods, amazing pics. You can almost “taste” these delicious dishes. Do these dishes come with recipes? Where can I get recipes for the foods listed?

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Thank you Gillian! So far I have only made a recipe for pol sambol which you can find on this site. But if you do some searching I’m sure some others have made recipes!

  • Priyadarshi

    11 years ago

    Hi Mark,

    I visited your website when I googled to find a recipe from my own cuisine! Ha ha I have forgotten. Now I feel hungry for my Sri Lankan food. I missed them so much. Specially my mum’s and aunty’s cooking. Thank you everyone for all nice comments about our food.

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Hey Priyadarshi, thanks for checking this out, Sri Lankan food is so good!

  • Vineetha

    11 years ago

    Oh……………You have definitely left out the Sri LAnkan CRAB CURRY…….with String hoppers and Pol sambol……………

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Hey Vineetha, mmmmm that sounds amazing, I didn’t get to have any crab curry, but I’d love some!

  • rebecca

    11 years ago

    im from Kandy, Sri Lanka and love all these dishes so much. there is a shop down my street that does a small mix of things im sure you will like it, they take a vegetable roti and a egg roti cut both in to about 6 pieces and just put some chicken gravy on top it is heavenly specially on the cold day. and like everyone says stringhoppers with chicken curry,pol sambol and kiri hodi is something you have to try.

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Thanks a lot Rebecca, that sounds absolutely delicious. I hope to visit again!

  • Dush

    11 years ago

    Oho so much mouth watering and also must say how come u missed string hoppers, potato curry with pol sambola.

    Good work

  • Sanjeewa

    11 years ago

    Good stuff Mark!

    I’m a Sri Lankan and most of these are part of my meals on a daily basis, yet your photos and descriptions makes me wanna dive right into a cheese kottu now!

    You must try string hoppers, String hopper kottu and lamprais too. Therese items would surely make the article more tasty!

    Cheers!

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Hello Sanjeewa, thank you very much! You come from a country with such amazing food. Thank you for the other suggestions, I want to come back to Sri Lanka for lots more food!

  • rajith

    11 years ago

    Wow………………… Great job Mark…………….

  • amiazhar

    11 years ago

    wow! im so happy that you had a great time in srilanka 🙂 and yes enjoyed the food…we have all these curries like every week for lunch! and im kinda fed up of it 😉 but its great to know that people from other countries enjoy eating srilankan food 🙂 got a sudden urge to visit another country and experiment on different food,its usually the fun part! 😀

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Hey, yah, I really enjoyed Sri Lankan food and especially all the curries. Hope you can do some traveling in the future, food really is one of the best reasons to travel!

  • Andrew

    11 years ago

    Hey good site, but what about fresh mango slices with chilli powder and salt?
    This is served as a street food in a twist of newspaper and tastes fantasic.
    Also the spicy cashew nuts sold on the street.

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Hey Andrew, thanks for your extra suggestions. I did have quite a fee mangoes in Sri Lanka and they were wonderful!

  • Shreeja N

    11 years ago

    Tempting! Sri Lankan cuisine is a bit similar to cuisines from Kerala and Tamil Nadu! You have put out a delicious spread here! All pictures look great!

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Thank you very much for checking this out Shreeja. Are you from South India?

  • wildrose

    11 years ago

    Lovely Sri Lankafood images..mouth watering and thanks for sharing!
    Please visit my blog too when you are free…you can have some sri lankan recipes and
    food images.

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Hi, thanks a lot for stopping by, glad you enjoyed this article!

  • Lahiru

    11 years ago

    next time if u travel here let me know…u will have more delicious traditional foods

    Thankx
    🙂

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Hey Lahiru, thanks a lot, would love to visit again, will let you know!

    • Lahiru

      11 years ago

      U Must visit again our country , because u have missed more food 🙂

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Hey Lahiru, I hope to visit again!

  • Valeriy

    11 years ago

    Dear Mark, thanks for interesting information about Sri Lankan food! I translated it into Russian 🙂 (with links to your site): http://lanka.ru/traveller/cuisine/

  • Farill Farook

    11 years ago

    Hi Mark,

    great article…
    We would like to publish this article on our magazine Colombo Things to Do with full credits to you. hope this is ok…Await your feedback asap.

    cheers!
    Farill Farook

  • Ilham Shiraz

    11 years ago

    My contribution for this post 🙂

    http://www.blog.ilhamfx.com/5-awesome-sri-lankan-food/

  • Sonja

    11 years ago

    These dishes looks so delicious, have to go to Sri Lanka soon. Thanks for this article.

  • Aruna

    11 years ago

    Dear Mark,
    Your presentations are amazing regarding Sri lanka. and your ambessidorship is highly appreciated. Thank you very much. merry christmas and happy new year

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Thank you very much Aruna, I really appreciate you checking this out. Merry Christmas to you as well!

  • Dilushika

    11 years ago

    WOW….! This article is awesome.
    I’m a Sri Lankan. Even all these food are very normal to me, I also felt hungry while reading your descriptions. Now i’m drinking some Woodapple Juice, & amazingly I can enjoy it’s taste more than normal… 😀 Thank u for the information Mark.. & also “GREAT GREAT PHOTOS” This was very helpful for my project… Tc

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Hey Dilushika! Thank you very much for checking out this article, and glad you enjoyed it! Woodapple juice sounds great!

  • Swedish in Berlin

    11 years ago

    I had Sri Lankan food for the first time today at a restaurant in Berlin. It was soo good and I would really like to go back to try it out more. Thanks for a great post – I will look at it next time, so I understand a bit more about the food in the menu 🙂

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Hey, that’s great to hear you enjoyed it so much! Hope you can get some more delicious Sri Lankan food soon!

  • Chanaka_Pradeep

    11 years ago

    io sono cingalese di origine ,tra una settimana parto e vado in Sri Lanka non vedo l’ora di provare ogni varietà di frutta tra cui le mini banane rosse e il coconut ,poi a merenda mangiare l’hopper accompagnato da un bicchiere di Ginger beer e dimenticavo un dolce che mi fa impazzire è il wattalapam nessuno di voi l’ha provato è una sorte di budino con la nota della noce moscata

  • Chitra Perez

    11 years ago

    Wonderful website and video on Colombo (and the food of course!). I really like your commentaries too, they are informative and accurate! The Colombo video really took me on an emotional trip down memory lane as it has been almost 39 years since I left as a small girl. We are going back for the first time in November and your articles and videos now have got me jumping out of my skin with excitement. Thank you!!

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Hello Chitra, thank you so much for stopping by, and I’m so glad you enjoyed my articles and videos. It’s so great to hear that you are going back for a visit soon. Hope you have an incredible trip, all the best, and be sure to enjoy some wonderful food for me!

  • Champ

    11 years ago

    Awesome. I’m a Sri Lankan and even I feel hungry for the way you have described.

    Ambul Thiyal (fish slowly baked on low fire in a paste of spices)

    Pumpkin Curry

    Wambatu Moju

    Malay Achcharu (An appetizer)

    Mango Curry

    Ash Plantain Curry

    String Hoppers deserve a separate section.

    Sprat curry/ Sprat fried

    Are some of my faves that you should try. 🙂

    Take Care

    • Champ

      11 years ago

      Not to mention the utterly yummilicious prawn curry / cuttle fish curry and the prawn wadey (isso wadey) ]

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Hey Champ, thank you for these extra suggestions! My mouth is now watering just remembering all this Sri Lankan food and these suggestions you’ve mentioned. I hope to return sometime for more food!

    • Indira

      11 years ago

      String hopper pilaf and Lump rie need to be mentioned don’t forget to try Love cake and bibikkan Sri Lankan coconut cake…

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Thanks Indira!

  • Wendy

    12 years ago

    I will take my time to read all the articles.
    I will be travelling to Sri Lanka for my 2nd visit in Nov.
    I loved my first trip and also loved the food.

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Thank Wendy, great to hear you’ll be returning to Sri Lanka. It’s also one of the most amazing places I’ve been! Have a great trip!

  • Ramon

    12 years ago

    I’m making a list as we speak. I hope to try at least half of these during my time in Sri Lanka next month!

  • Spanish Translator @latinAbroad

    12 years ago

    WOW — this is quite the list Mark! I’ve been itching to try some Sri Lankan food, but unfortunately, there are no restaurants nearby my flat. are the spices similar to Indian or slightly different?

    either way, as I looked at this picture’s, I could smell the curry aroma… Oh my God… *melts*

    – Maria Alexandra

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Hey Maria, thanks for checking this article out. Sri Lankan food I think is closely similar to southern Indian food, yet still quite a bit different. I haven’t been to India yet, so I’m not fully sure of the exact ingredients that would be different. Do you have plans to visit Sri Lanka sometime? The food is wonderful, I know you’d enjoy it! Hope you can find some Sri Lankan food soon!

  • Julee

    12 years ago

    Hi Mark,

    I was so happy to have come across your page on Sri Lankan foods BEFORE I went and tried as many as I could. I just got back recently….a few pounds heavier 🙁 I have to admit that I didn’t like the woodapple juice though. By the way, I also love your videos on YouTube – you might want to add the links to the egg hopper and woodapple ones to this page.

    ….and if when you go back to Sri Lanka (’cause I know you will), you have to try the seafood in the south. I had prawns that were as long as the length between my wrist and my elbow and they were absolutely deeelicious….and so were the crabs!

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Hi Julee, thank you very much for sharing and it’s so good to hear that you had a fun trip to Sri Lanka and were able to eat so much delicious food. I’ve been meaning to go back in the article and add more content that has since published, but just havent yet, will do soon – thanks for the reminder. Wow, those prawns sound amazing, makes me want to go back to Sri Lanka now!

  • Nimali

    12 years ago

    i was amazed after looking at these pictures. yummy. Next time try some smooth string hoppers with pol sambol and dhal curry or some fish curry or pol mallun. And some homemade kiribath with lunu miris. ah, eat pol sambol and fried dry-fish (spiced with onions) with rice. that’s my favourite. you’ll go mad if you eat them. And rice with fish curry and scraped coconut. i saw here are lots of suggestions for you. Try them all. We like to see you visiting our country and having these great experience. Come again to sri lanka.

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Thank you for your kind comment Nimali, I would love to return to Sri Lankan again! Next time I will surely eat all the things you suggested, they all sound so fantastic!

    • Erica

      12 years ago

      We just returned from a holiday to Sri Lanka, and fell in love with the food, its very similar to Goan food, which is where i am from, but its got a different twist to it. I was keen to learn more and bought a cookbook from the airport, but realised later, than the chef used a lot of local words when he referred to his ingredients.
      Have tried to find out what they mean on the internet, but only got a few common ones. Would you have any idea where i can get a glossary of names of fruits and veggies that are local there so i can start cooking?
      tks a ton

  • Big Mama

    12 years ago

    I am visiting your blog again. Just looking at those awesome Sri Lankan food tantalizes my taste buds. I’m a foodie lover too and proud to be a Sri Lankan.

  • aynzan

    12 years ago

    Just returned from Sri lanka..These pictures tempt me so much that I want to go back home….

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Awesome to hear you just visited Sri Lanka. How was your trip? Were you able to eat lots of food?

  • JPM (Lotus Artichoke)

    12 years ago

    Great to see all the Sri Lankan deliciousness! Thanks for posting the cool photos. I totally can’t get enough of this stuff. Can’t wait to visit Sri Lanka someday myself. Been to South India a few times but just need to get a few extra weeks and cross the waters. 🙂

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Thank you so much for taking a look at this article and glad you enjoyed it JPM. Hope you have a chance to visit Sri Lanka soon, and I would love to visit South India as well!

  • Jeevs

    12 years ago

    Maan the pictures are killing me 🙁 I can’t wait to go back home.

  • Ankie

    12 years ago

    Great article!! AGAIN!

  • Kali

    12 years ago

    Hi Mark
    I love sri lankan food and the way you trying is fantastic.

  • Dini

    12 years ago

    Hi, This is a great summary for some of the best classic Sri Lankan dishes. I hope you were able to sample the majority of them whilst on your travels. Please can I link it to my blog, because people ask me about the cusine and your post is a good start.

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Hi Dini, thanks a lot for reading this article. Yes, feel free to link my article as a link in your blog. Thanks for your support!

  • vemal Amos

    12 years ago

    hello,
    i need how to make chicken rotti and veg rotti ,let me send,
    thanx
    vemal

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Great Vemal! Hope they all turned out delicious!

  • Rajitha Weeramanthri

    12 years ago

    nice one mark..you doing a great job..you introduced lots of Sri Lankan foods to world through this web site and from your Facebook uploads… In one comment I saw you asked what is the season for “Durian” As I know the best and chepest time for Durian in SriLanka is the end of the year
    August-december it is a good time to Durian

    also you asked gotukola mallum or gotukola sambal…bot hare correct…

    Wish u all da best for your further journeys…take care…. sage journey

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Thank you very much Rajitha! Good to know the durian season in Sri Lanka – hopefully I can return during the season for a taste of Sri Lankan durian. Thanks for the comment and for checking out my website.

    • Thanushka

      10 years ago

      Mallum and Sambola are two different things. Sambola means it’a made with raw ingredients. like shredded fresh greens, onion, coconut etc.

      But to make it a “mallum” you have to cook it lightly until the leaves are slightly wilted. Usually people use a bit of oil and sauté the shredded coconut & onion, and then add shredded greens to it. Squeeze some lemon juice before turning off the fire.

      Gotukola is usually made as a “sambola”. Which is my favorite. I make a replica of it with Kale. But many other greens such as “kathurumurunga”, “Mukunuwenna” and other wild greens are usually made as a “Mallum”

  • Joan

    12 years ago

    Hey Mark, I’m going to Sri Lanka next week feb. 13 and i’m gonna find and try all these food you listed! 😉 Hmm i’m actually thinking of spending more time on food tripping than sight seeing hehe…thanks for your blogs…you inspire people to travel. Love your blogs about our country Philippines and guess what, you’ve done more than i did! Well, when i’m back there, i’m gonna follow also your suggestions. Cheers to travellers and bloggers!

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Thanks for the comment Joan and good to hear that you’ll be visiting Sri Lanka soon. Be sure to check out some of these other comments where people suggest some more things to try and even some places to try them. Hope you have fun!

      Awesome that you’re from the Philippines, I spent about 2 months there and absolutely loved it. I’d love to return and do more – so much to do and see. I’m also a big fan of Bicol Express!

      Thanks again and have a fun time in Sri Lanka!

  • Sarajevo

    12 years ago

    Food heaven, it really is 🙂

  • Dimitri

    12 years ago

    Hi Mark, even though it’s not considered a “traditional” Sri Lankan dish. Some of the Chinese restaurants in Colombo have this special Chinese-Sri Lankan dish (in the same way that General Tso’s chicken is a Chinese-American dish) that my friends and I love. It’s not found outside SL as far as I’m aware. It’s called hot buttered cuttlefish and in some cases it’s served deviled with pieces of sliced capsicum. Restaurants like Chinese Dragon and Peach Valley in Colombo serve it. There are other restaurants too. I haven’t been to Colombo for a while so ask around and see where’s the best place to go. Also I love the lamprais (that people mentioned earlier) from either the Dutch Burgher Hall or Green Cabin. Loved your list and photos

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Thanks for these suggestions Dimitri! That Sri Lankan Chinese dish sounds great – would love to try it next time I make it to Colombo. Thanks for taking a look at this article and for the comment.

  • Saman

    12 years ago

    Dear Mark

    First of all thanx for visiting my country and giving their flavour to the world

    I like your moto street food simple living. I have noticed many comments about Ambul Thiyal
    You have to try it Down south style and their is a another dish you missed Jaadi (salted pickle fish
    if iam right)

    You said you have tried Kithul triklle try that with simple roti or with vaniila ice cream

    Sri lanka is the stop just before the Hevan

    All the best friend let us know your next trip to Paradise

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Awesome, thanks for the comment Saman!

      I’ll be sure to eat Jaadi next time I’m in Sri Lanka.

      Hope you are doing well and thanks again for checking out my site!

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Cool, thanks for sharing that and the photos as well Bhathiya! I hope I can get back to try some more Sri Lanka food!

  • Dilshan

    12 years ago

    U have missed “KIRI BATH” (MILK RISE)
    Our MAIN MEAL on special occasions.
    here is a photo of it
    http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JExgjuQ5KG0/TjlQyh4-GkI/AAAAAAAAAog/OYJ77dFCRgQ/s1600/kiribath.jpg

    This is maid with rise and coconut milk

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Thanks for sharing Dilshan, yes, that’s something I missed and I need to go back to eat!

  • Bhathiya

    12 years ago

    And Don’t forget to visit to temple of tooth !!!

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Yah, I wasn’t able to make it, but I know it’s one of the most important places in Kandy!

  • Bhathiya

    12 years ago

    you need to visit Sri lanka ,
    you will get full of fun and lot of experiences with in sri lanka ….
    Don’t try every thing near roods …… you will get sick..
    i’m really get impressed by eating with hands , it is very Delicious try that on home…
    As a sri lankan ,
    Welcome you all to Sri Lanka !!

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Thanks a lot Bhathiya, I had an incredible time in Sri Lanka and would love to return sometime for another visit!

  • Menushka

    12 years ago

    Durian…Its a ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT…or HATE IT WITH EVERY FIBER IN YOUR BODY fruit…haha…luckily, im on the love it side of things 😀

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Awesome to hear that you are also a fan of the best fruit in the world!

  • Tira

    12 years ago

    I love this place called “Sambolaya”, but it’s in Havelock Rd ,Colombo.-5

  • Crisp

    12 years ago

    Mark,
    Cool stuff here. I’m in the south, near welligama – any tips?
    Also looking for impeccable Sri lankan eating experiences in galle….
    Any tips hugely appreciated.

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Hey Crisp,
      I’m real sorry, I didn’t make it to Welligama and I only had time to spend 1 day in Galle, so I ended up just snacking and eating rice and curry around the bus station.
      Hope you have a wonderful time traveling in Sri Lanka!

    • Tira

      12 years ago

      If you guy’s wants to know some nice places to eat around colombo.

      1) Beach Wadiya – Location City: Wellawatta Beach Colombo-06, Street: Marine Drive
      2) Steam Boat – Location City: Mount Laviania, Street: Beach Rd

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Cool, thanks for sharing!

    • Tira

      12 years ago

      Go to “The Dinning Room” Amangalla in Galle
      #10 Church Street, Galle Fort, Galle.
      Tel: 0912233388

    • Tira

      12 years ago

      Hi Crisp,

      Go to “The Dinning Room” Amangalla in Galle
      #10 Church Street, Galle Fort, Galle.
      Tel: 0912233388

  • Tira

    12 years ago

    Dear Guy’s, you all are more than welcome to visit Sri Lanka, and visit our house for nice delicious food and Sri Lankan hospitality at my place for Free any time.

    From Dec 2012 though, sorry 🙁

    here’s my e-mail [email protected]

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Thanks Tira for the invitation! I really appreciate it and if I visit Sri Lanka again I’ll let you know!

    • Tira

      12 years ago

      Any time Mark, and thanx for your lovely comments about my country. I’m glad you had a nice time in Sri Lanka.

  • Anuradha Jayathilaka

    12 years ago

    mouthwatering pictures. =) loved them. You should try these the next time you go ,
    1. Ambulthiyal (a kind of sour tasted fish common in the south area)
    2. String Hoppers
    3. Lavariya (sweetened coconut wrapped with a string hopper)
    4. Kiri Bath (milk rice)
    5. Kiriya (made entirely with rice flour and tastes very milky)
    6. Halapa and Wandu (its a sort of cupcake wrapped in a Halapa leaf and steamed)
    7. Achcharu (there are many variations, Papaw Achcharu, Malay Achcharu,.)

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Wow, thanks for taking the time to add these other Sri Lankan dishes Anuradha!
      I had an incredible time eating in Sri Lanka, but I definitely didn’t get to try everything! I hope I can return and eat some more. Thanks again!

    • Dinda

      10 years ago

      you didn’t eat lumprice? it is delicious. I enjoyed ur videos.

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Hey Dinda, nope, haven’t had that. Would love to try. Thanks!

  • Sivam Krish

    12 years ago

    Great Initiative. Very well done. Mouth watering photos. Love the presentation of food that drives one mad.

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Awesome, thanks for checking this out Sivam!

  • Dinesh

    12 years ago

    Hi Mark…you’ve done a great job…As a Sri Lankan I’m proud of you…keep it up mate….
    Good Luck..

  • Jeewanthi

    12 years ago

    Great job Mark…..I appreciate it….if you visit again why don’t you go to down south of the country? where you can try best “Ambulthial”. It is a kind of fish curry, made with fresh fish, black paper, red chilly powder, Goraka, and little bit of cinnamon and curry leaves. down south housewives can cook the best Ambulthial ever in Sri Lanka. It’s gravy is perfect with milk rice (Kiribath)…

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Thanks for the comment and the recommendation Jeewanthi. Unfortunately, I ran out of time before I got to explore everywhere I wanted to in Sri Lanka, but I’d love to return again and spend more time in the south. That Ambulthial sounds awesome, and I’m sure it’s really delicious when it’s home cooked. I’d love to try it!

  • Gaveen

    12 years ago

    Found this post via a link from a friend. I was delighted to see that you’ve enjoyed Sri Lankan food like a Sri Lankan do. Most folks passing through or on a visit don’t try this much and this wide a variety. I’m Sri Lankan and even I haven’t tasted some from this list. Well done, sir. 🙂

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Thanks a lot Gaveen, I’m really happy to hear this! I had an incredible time in Sri Lanka and your food is awesome!

  • Farwin @ LoveandotherSpices

    12 years ago

    Hi Mark,
    I’m a Srilankan and a food blogger now living in Dubai.So happy to see this post and it makes me nostalgic.You were right when you said no two curries taste the same.As Srilankan muslims,we have the same dishes with a different method of cooking.Good job!

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Hi Farwin, thanks for checking out this article! Cool to see your blog as well – great article and mouthwatering photos! I’m going to be checking out some of your recipes soon! I’m not sure if I got to try Sri Lankan Muslim style food, but I’m sure it’s equally as delicious and I’d love to try some as well! Thanks for the input!

  • rose

    12 years ago

    WOw! lovely images and love the foods from sri lanka

  • Ayndrie

    12 years ago

    Hey Mark I’m a Sri Lankan. I tumbled to this article by accident. But I loved it and u got it right – koththu is SL’s hamburghur!!!!! plus u made me really hungry! 🙂

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      So good to hear this Ayndrie, thanks so much for stopping by! Kottu is delicious – I would love some more now!

  • zroob

    12 years ago

    Now I’m in Sri-Lanka, enjoying the local food and getting fat and happy 🙂
    yesterday even had a cooking class, so I can take these tastes back home.
    Great post!

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Haha Awesome to hear that Zroob – I think I gained a few kilos in Sri Lanka! Cool that you got to take a cooking class too!

  • Aussie on the Road

    12 years ago

    I hate you just a little bit right now. I’m starving and your fantastic photos of delicious looking food are not helping!

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Haha, thanks Chris – I know you can find some good food wherever you are!

  • Menaka

    12 years ago

    Great article Mark.

    But I was surprised to see that lots of delicious and important dishes are missing from this list.

    1.Kiri Bath (Milk Rice-made with country red rice ,coconut Milk and salt) a traditional dish that every sri Lankan makes for any special occasion.Mainly for New Year.eaten with Lunu Miris,Fish/Chicken curry and also can be eaten with Kitul (Palm) Juggary if u like sweet.My Canadian friends’ favourite.

    2.Sweetmeats like Kavum,Kokis,Aluwa,Mung Kavum,Athirasa,Pani Walalu,Kalu Dodol.Again these are traditional dishes made for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.

    3.String Hoppers-made with Rice flour,salt and water eaten with Coconut Sambol,Fish/Chicken curry, White Potato curry or Dhal curry

    4.In Sri Lanka Kale is not available.So it should be corrected as “Gotukola Sambol”

    5. Sambol is like a salad, the uncooked version of Mallum.
    6. Pol Roti is not cooked with coconut Milk.It is made with freshly grated coconut,salt,water and all pourpose flour and made like a dough then small portion of the dough flaten and cooked on a griddle till ligth golden.

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Awesome Menaka – thanks for taking the time to contribute this extra information! I definitely wasn’t able to try everything in Sri Lanka, but I’m going to have to return and eat some more! I’ll make a few corrections to the original article. Thanks again!

  • Aadhil

    12 years ago

    Great website! Can I write for you??!

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Hey Aadhil, thanks for the comment!
      What do you write about? Do you have a blog? If you are interested in writing an article please contact me here: http://migrationology.com/contact-me/
      Thanks!

    • sisi

      11 years ago

      i hope you enjoyed Sri lanka… my mother is Sri Lankan so i went to sri lanka and visited it for the first time, and like you said, it is beautiful and the food is amazing… luckily i get to eat it everyday and since my mom owns a Sri lankan cafe/ restaurant in Canada…

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Hey Sisi, thank you so much for sharing – you’re lucky!!!

    • ram

      11 years ago

      Hello Sis,

      Where is your mum’s restaurant located? Are you in Toronto Area?Please let me know.It’s nothing like home made Sri lankan food.

      Mark,thank you for your posts.

  • peumali

    12 years ago

    What about Ambulthiyal? YUMMMM

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      I’ve never had that – but I’d love to try it also! Thanks for the input Peumali!

  • DJ

    12 years ago

    I think you missed Cashew (Kaju) Curry and Biriyani to name a few. Lumprise is the jewel of the crown which has Beef, Mutton (Goat) & Chicken curry (cooked together) with many vegetable curries as well as a cutlet, wrapped and baked in banana leaf. (Check out Bordain’s “No reservation” Sri Lanka for more info.) The best Chinese Rolls are made with minced Lamb. …… Now I’m hungry and homesick. Thanks Mark for the great article & fantastic photography.

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Thanks for the comment DJ! That cashew curry sounds amazing – I need try some of that! There are definitely still many Sri Lankan foods I haven’t gotten to eat – but so far all that I have tried have been excellent! I’m going to have to find the episode of Bourdain in Sri Lanka. Thanks for checking out this article!

  • Dili

    12 years ago

    Like Gutterflower and Sachintha said, you have to come down in April when the New Year celebrations are on. Then you’ll really have a taste explosion with the seasonal fare. That’s when all the really sweet stuff come out and you’ll have at least 10 more to add to the list.

    Really great article Mark. Much kudos. You’ve really captured the essence of our food.

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      I appreciate it Dili! I’d love to come back to Sri Lanka during the New Year – I had an amazing time while I was there – and I’d like to eat more delicious Sri Lanka food! Thanks!

  • Nirmal Kirtisinghe

    12 years ago

    Hey, nice post, but one thing you made a little mistake on… Those were not broad beans. They look like broad beans or even Brazil nuts, but they are the seeds of the jackfruit. Sri Lankans eat jackfruit in three stages – First, before they ripen (called polos – you mentioned it in your article), then when it’s semi-ripe, when it reaches it’s full size (we call this kos) and third as an out and out fruit (depending on the variety, it can be either Waela or Waraka, the difference being the texture and the taste). Of course if you’ve been to Malaysia, you’d know about their use of jackfruit as a fruit (and something that amazed me as a Sri Lanka, a flavour of Ice Cream).

    • Indunil

      12 years ago

      Nirmal, I think Kale Coconut Salad would be nice to call as Gotukola Sambal.

      However, Mark, this is really a great job. I think you have a nice sharp eye and a good sense of taste as well.

      Thumbs up from here!

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Thanks for the tip Indunil, does that mean that the kale coconut salad is known as “gotukola sambal” or “mallum?” Thanks for your help!

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Hey Nirmal!
      I really appreciate your help and comment. I’m going back into the post now to make the correction. Yah, I agree, jackfruit is such an amazing (and versatile) fruit – and it’s so delicious in all stages. In Thailand they are famous for mango and sticky rice, but there’s also durian and sticky rice and jackfruit and sticky rice too!

    • W.A.Dhanapala

      9 years ago

      Thanks Mark,

      You are great. You eat . travel and teach about food and traveling. Why not add (already added) How to become an entrepreneur while enjoy and keeping the life goal.

      I really love POLOS ( tender jackfruit curry) in Sri Lanka. There are 3 versions of it. 1. Red polos curry the famous – Up country style, brown, the low country style of Sinhala community, And the Polos + Cassava gravy (hodi / Sodi in Sri Lanka) of Tamil community. If you are interested I may recepies of all.

      I tried can or bottled polos curry and so many times I found it was just the taste of Polos but not the real taste of it.
      Ultimately I have prepared the real curry by “Preserving the tradition as it was” and could preserved the curry too securing all tastes associated. I didn’t add any preservative, no artificial colours or flavours..
      Now I am doing all basic formalities to market it. ( then i will let you know) Till then I want to send some bottles to you as a gift. Let me know the procedure to send it?

      You are a great gye

      Regards,
      Dhane

    • Mark Wiens

      9 years ago

      Hi Dhane, great to hear from you, thank you for your suggestions and your kind words. I’ve done a few articles and videos about lifestyle and entrepreneurship, but would definitely like to put together some more blogs about it as I continue to learn.

      Thank you for the extra information about Sri Lankan food, I’m hungry for polos now! Are you living in Sri Lanka now?

      I really appreciate your offer to send me some. I’m traveling now with no permanent address, so it’s a bit tough to receive anything, but in the future, I’ll definitely let you know. Again, I really appreciate you thinking of me.

      Thanks again, hope you are doing well,
      Mark

    • W.A.Dhanapala

      9 years ago

      Thanks Mark,
      I really appreciate you. it is great that you find time for every thing. I am waiting to give you Sri Lankan traditional Polos curry as it was with out adding preservatives, artificial colour or flavour etc.
      Once again I appreciate your innovativeness, kindness and everything.
      Being a person of food technology and trying to preserve the tradition as well, I find there are lot to learn from you.
      Tell me any information you may need from Sri Lanka.
      I am in Sri Lanka. When you come back here I wish to meet you
      Regards
      Dhane

    • Mark Wiens

      9 years ago

      Thank you again Dhane. I will definitely let you know if I come to visit Sri Lanka again – would love to try the Polos Curry.

  • Sachintha

    12 years ago

    Good post man, you’ve made our food more interesting with a foreigner’s take on it. Next time you come here, find the oil cakes, and other traditional sweets. (it’s called ‘kavum’ here) pretty damn good..

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Thanks for the advice Sachintha – I’ll definitely try the kavum next time!

  • Gutterflower

    12 years ago

    The sweet syrup on curd is called ‘kithul treacle’. It’s liquid jaggery. Next time, try out kiri bath, milk hoppers and seeni sambol (not at the same time though)
    Lovely post. You’ve made me very homesick though!

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Thanks so much for the comment and for the tip on kithul treacle – I’ll get that into the article. I hope and can go back to Sri Lanka soon and try more food – there’s still lots to taste!

    • Dinusha

      12 years ago

      Just came to your site and couldn’t resist looking at this post 🙂 I was about to say try Kiribath (Milk rice) but found it here in Gutterflower’s comment 🙂 That is like one of the main sri lankan traditional food. You can eat it with “lunumiris” or “seeni sambol ” ( fried onions with spices… so yummy) or something sweet like jaggery or sugar…

      Kithul treacle is expensive so most shops use syrup made from mix of kithul (a palm like tree.. can’t remember the english name ..sorry.) and sugar… so it is really hard to get real kithul treacle… the real one tastes soooooo good …

      You should also try “kiri kos” which is a curry made from jack fruit but the fruit should be ripen than the one in your jack fruit curry (we call the jack fruit curry you have shared “polos”). it is cooked with coconut milk…

      also you might like some sri lankan pickles.. which made any meal extra yummy and add flavor.. it’s made with small onions, carrots, beans, chilli, papaya (not ripe) and mustard , pepper and vinegar for taste…

      you would also like the prawn curry cooked with coconut milk…
      and also dried fish curry (cooked with coconut milk) or tempered with onions…

      of course all these are very tasty when cooked at home in clay pots….

      I should stop here before I go mad thinking about all these food…. 🙂

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Haha, I’m getting hungry just reading your comment Dinusha, thanks so much for sharing! Sounds like you also have a passion for food too. Makes me want to get back to Sri Lanka now for some more eating. I think I tried some Sri Lankan pickles before, and like you said, they were delicious – really bursting with flavor. The prawn coconut curry sounds fantastic as well!

    • Franklin

      11 years ago

      Kithul in English is Palmyra. It’s a palm tree like the Coconut. Both Treacle and Jaggery is made from the extracts of both palms. Palmyra treacle and jaggery is expensive, so to keep the price down the two are combined to keep the price down in Sri-Lanka. “Hope this was helpful!”

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Thanks a lot for sharing Franklin!

    • Gimhan

      8 years ago

      Small Correction Kithul tree is “Caryota urens” not palmyra tree
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caryota_urens

    • sunanda karagaswewa

      11 years ago

      WELL done Dinusha, Next time pls introduce Mccurry products to your guests. Its Amazing. They have two different megafactories for srilankan authentic foods manufacturing. Pls keep it in your mind and don’t forget to visit those outlets around the country. Any overseas demand also they are catering at present. Therefore MC currie products are now available whole over the worlds foods markets (MRE). cheers

    • Gihan-Srilankan

      9 years ago

      @Mark Wiens, thanx to make me hungry mood even i had my lunch …. i’m serprise by reading your and other foreigners views. I’m a graduate and try to aboard to earn for my future … every time i think to give up srilankan foods it makes tear in my eyes …..

  • carly

    12 years ago

    Wow! Those foods look absolutely delicious! I could almost eat my monitor. I’ve never had a reason to go to Sri Lanka but now I have 40! 🙂

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Awesome, thanks so much for the comment Carly!

  • Christy @ Ordinary Traveler

    12 years ago

    What a timely post! We have just decided to add Sri Lanka to our itinerary next year and I really know nothing about the country. Good to hear they have Samosas! 🙂

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Awesome to hear that Christy! You guys will have a great time and get to eat some delicious food! If you like samosas, also try the fish/chicken cutlet balls – excellent!

  • Colleen Bowen

    12 years ago

    Mark, outstanding work bringing those glorious photos to light. The colors are amazing. It’s so good to learn about a food I know almost nothing about. I’d really like to visit Sri Lanka someday. Now, even more so. Thank you for that.

    Are there Durians in Sri Lanka?

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      No problem Collen, I’m really glad that you like this article! Yes, in fact there is Durian in Sri Lanka – unfortunately I didn’t try any (as it wasn’t really season and they were expensive), but there were some at the market!

    • Lakmal

      12 years ago

      Colleen, There are Durians in Sri Lanka. But this is not the season. Some peoples have addicted to Durians because of the taste. But Some are don’t like to the smell. So visit Sri Lanka to eat Durian.

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Hey Lakmal, when is the main season when durian is available in Sri Lanka? I might have to make a trip back for durian season!

    • Supul

      12 years ago

      August is the best time of the year to try out some seasonal goodies, Mark! You can try Duriyan as well as Rambutan, Mangosteen, Seasonal mangoes, Avocados and a LOT more!!! Since it is the season, these fruits are fairly cheap too!!!! 🙂 Hope it helps!!!!!!

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Thanks for sharing Supul, I’d love to return to sample some of your suggestions in August!

    • Lavenia

      11 years ago

      RAMBUTAAAN!!!!!!!!!!!

      I beg everyone to try this. They sell it in our market, MK, and its reallly good. And yh august is the best time of the year.

    • vimukthi

      11 years ago

      hi..suddenly by mistake i visited to your web site. it is superb.im a sri lankan Undergarduate. working for mangement trainee as well as wildlife researcher. i have seen so many tasted foods rather than you eat in my country.I would like to share some ideas with you. and you can chat with me via Face book.
      thank you
      vimukthi

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Hi Vimukthi, great and thank you for finding my website. I would love to return to Sri Lanka again to eat in the future!

  • Marc d’Entremont

    12 years ago

    As a chef who has traveled extensively, and in SE Asia, your article and photos are excellent. You have certainly done your homework. I’ve saved this for reference.

  • Sophie

    12 years ago

    Very comprehensive – and appealing – post! I hope you’re letting Sri Lanka’s tourism agency see this; it’s wonderful advertising for the country.

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Thanks a lot Sophie! I might try to send it to them – thanks for the suggestion.

  • robin

    12 years ago

    Another yummy and very well researched (I’m sure it was difficult!) post 🙂

  • Naomi

    12 years ago

    Aaaaaaaaaaand now I’m hungry. :9

  • jenjenk

    12 years ago

    wow – every item is more delectable as the next!!! I *love* roti!!! I could eat a pound of it at a time!!!

  • Michael Figueiredo

    12 years ago

    Wow–all of this food looks incredible! Your photography really brings out the color and texture. Yum!

  • Dean

    12 years ago

    There is nothing on this list that I wouldn’t want to it. These dishes look so delicious!

  • Courtney Mroch

    12 years ago

    WOW! Your photos are so awesome you page looks good enough to eat!

  • David @ Malaysia Asia

    12 years ago

    Most awesome collection Mark! You could not have done this post better and my hats off to you. I hope you’re thinking of coming out with a travel cook book one day 🙂

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Thanks David – would love to come out with an international guide to food plus recipes and a bunch of stuff – that would be a lot of fun!

  • Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista

    12 years ago

    I love spice and flavor so I think I’d really enjoy Sri Lankan food! Have to admit your pictures all made me very hungry.

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Glad to hear that you also love spices – you’d definitely enjoy Sri Lankan food!

  • Stephen

    12 years ago

    Looks amazing. Thanks again Mark, for covering the cuisine and countries that most people are not!

  • Maria

    12 years ago

    I want one of each… NOW!
    Truly I thought, this will be interesting and began scrolling figuring I’d find a favorite, maybe two. No, not to be.
    Each has an ingredient (food item or spice) that doesn’t appeal to me, but SINGS to me.
    And now I am starving! *grin, laugh*

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Haha, thanks for the comment Maria! Hope you found something delicious to eat!

  • Gladys | ByahengBarok.com

    12 years ago

    wow! they all seem like great tasting food! the squid curry seems interesting 🙂

  • Erin

    12 years ago

    We love Sri Lankan food – in particular vegetarian rotis from street vendors and a big plate of rice and vegetarian curries. We loved eating home cooked food in guesthouses – always cheap and delicious.

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Great to hear that Erin! You’re right about the home cooked Sri Lankan food. The food is good in restaurants, but I had by far the best curries at a friend’s house with his mom cooking!

  • inka

    12 years ago

    You haven’t really eaten all of these dishes, have you. Of course you have. Why have you changed the look of your website?

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      It’s hard having to sample so many foods!!! I’m doing a little bit of re-design on my site to try and improve things and also be able to go full-screen for photos. I’m going to be tweaking things a little more and hopefully making Migrationology better!

  • 50+ and on the Run

    12 years ago

    Mark, these look delicious. I admit that I haven’t tried durian yet, but one of these days…(maybe). Thanks for the pix.
    Nancy

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      No problem! You’ve got to try durian sometime, and when you do, be sure to let me know how it goes!!

    • David Blacker

      12 years ago

      What, no lampreis????? Sacrilege! But seriously, you’ve missed out what I IMHO consider to be the best Sri Lankan rice dish:

      http://riceandcurry.wordpress.com/2011/11/18/lampreis-to-go-the-dutch-burgher-union/

      Also, stringhoppers! Much better than regular hoppers.

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      David! Thanks a lot for sharing that – I want to go back to Colombo now and get one of those – it looks delicious!

    • Madushanka

      12 years ago

      Hello Mark,

      I am a software engineering student in sri lanka. I checked your web site and really happy about your sri lankan tour. I can give you some details about our traditional foods if you like to test next time. There are lot of traditional and very sweet foods and sweets in sri lanka. Reply me, if you want further details. I can mail you the details and places.

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Hey Madushanka!
      Thanks for the great comment and for checking out my site. If it’s easier, you could definitely just share the information on this article in the comments right here. I’m not sure when I’ll be traveling back to Sri Lanka again, and if you share information here, it can help everyone! I really appreciate you taking the time to read my site. Feel free to e-mail me as well – [email protected]
      Thanks!

    • Pushpa Ostroman

      8 years ago

      Some recipes

    • Lavenia

      11 years ago

      I am so glad so many people like sri lankan foods. I am Tamil and i love it. My mum makes sri lankan food for a living and i love sambol too!!!!!
      But my mum sometimes makes it exxxxxtra spices. You cant hav too much so i get told off for not eating it with parotha.
      thnx

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Hi Lavenia, very cool, thanks for the comment. Mmm, home cooked Sri Lankan food is the best ever!

    • Ajith

      10 years ago

      yep. you right David. he missed lump rice and string hoppers and a lot of popular dishes. anyways, thanks a lot to creating this video about my country.

      Ajith

    • madusanka

      10 years ago

      it’s ok friends all of us similar and similar culture,don’t be anger each other,some comments looks like,as the south asian we are similar,but can be some changes and differences ..they are all ok..

      thanks ajith,

      thanks mark,

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Thanks for the suggestions Ajith!

    • Jaya

      10 years ago

      The truth about durian is that it smells hell but tastes heaven!

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      You don’t like the smell Jaya? I really enjoy both the smell and taste!

    • Jaya

      10 years ago

      The truth about durian is that it smells hell but tastes heaven!