Sri Lankan cuisine is a vibrant tapestry of flavors, shaped by its rich cultural heritage and diverse influences. From fiery curries to delicate sweets, each dish tells a story of the island’s history, blending spices and ingredients that reflect its Indian, Malay, Dutch, and Portuguese roots. The cuisine is known for its bold use of spices, coconut, and rice, offering a culinary journey that is both complex and satisfying.

Sri Lankan Curry

This is a staple dish in every Sri Lankan household, with numerous variations including meat, seafood, chicken, fish, or lentil curry for vegetarians. Curry is typically accompanied by a bowl of rice and a selection of vegetable and fruit sides, often stewed in coconut milk to achieve their incredibly soft texture.

String Hoppers

This traditional Sri Lankan breakfast features steamed rice noodles known as string hoppers. They are typically served with meat or fish curry, stewed vegetables, or can even be transformed into a dessert. In the sweet version, coconut milk and cane sugar are used as toppings. If you’re traveling to Sri Lanka with children, they are likely to especially enjoy this meal.

Image by Kavinda F from Pixabay

Hoppers

This dish is also traditionally enjoyed for breakfast, as hoppers are thin, lace-like rice pancakes made with coconut flour. They are cooked without oil, and the center is typically filled with scrambled eggs, vegetables, or meat. Be sure to try this dish at local cafés—it’s both affordable and filling.

Kottu

The foundation of this dish is a finely chopped cake made from coconut flour, fried to a golden brown and topped with your choice of egg, meat, or chicken. It’s then paired with stewed vegetables and hot chili. If you’re not accustomed to spicy food, be sure to ask for a milder version to avoid any discomfort during your trip to Sri Lanka and Kalutara restaurants such as those found within the Anantara Kalutara Resort.