Keen to try some Sri Lankan food? This beautiful island nation is famed for its cuisine, among many other things. Recipes from Sri Lanka are always a hit with the buying public, especially those looking to experiment and taste new textures from overseas. It’s well-made, it’s affordable, it’s popular and more importantly, it’s all very tasty too!
Still, most don’t want to simply sit at home and make things that are inspired by the country, or imported from it; they want to get out there and experience it all for themselves!
Read on to discover why Sri Lanka is a great place to go for food enthusiasts.
Tropical island offerings
A tropical climate can have a big impact on the kinds of foods available in any given destination. Fruits, spices and coconuts are always in abundance in Sri Lanka because of its setting and climate. For example, there’s 20 varieties of banana growing here alone, illustrating the sheer variety of what most in the UK might consider ‘common’ or ‘generic’ food.
The tropical nature of Sri Lanka influences the range of dishes served, particularly in the seafood arena; from the mud crab curry to the lotus stir-fry. Moreover, there are lots of street vendors selling food on-the go as well as open-air, beach-side restaurants and food bars. Whereas food stands in the UK and the US might sell burgers or hotdogs, in Sri Lanka, they often sell samosas instead – tantalising pastry snacks, filled with either meat or veg.
Famous foods
Every nation has its famous foods. While Britain’s main claim to food fame lies in dishes like fish and chips, and roast dinners, the Sri Lankans have hoppers, biryanis, mallung and a plethora of fish curries under their belt. If that’s not enough, these commodities are often just the start of an elaborate dining experience.
For example, hoppers are served as a bowl formed completely from a pancake. Inside, you’ll find eggs (thereafter, the hopper is aptly named an egg hopper), as well as an array of dips, sauces and seasonings. These have become so popular over the years that in 2016, they were publicly touted as the pancake of the future.
If hoppers aren’t really your thing, then the vegetarian kottu is another street food that’s bound to win you over. The shredded pieces of godamba roti are stir-fried and mixed with either meat or veggie supplements, as well as a diverse range of additional spices. A little pot of curry sauce will typically be served with it, just to add an extra punch of flavour!
Hopefully, this post will have you sold on the diversity of Sri Lanka’s food and drink scene. It really is a hub for foodies, with great flexibility in catering for different people and their preferences. Be sure to bookmark this post just in case you ever decide to visit yourself!
Have you ever been to Sri Lanka? What’s your favourite foodie destination?