Savor Sri Lanka’s Local Cuisine

Sri Lanka’s cuisine transforms during its vibrant festivals, with special dishes prepared for celebrations. But beyond these seasonal delights, the island also boasts a rich everyday food culture from home cooked meals to sizzling street food. Here’s a flavorful journey through Sri Lanka’s festival specialties and must try daily dishes.

Various Festival Dishes

1. Sinhala & Tamil New Year (April) – Sweet & Savory Treats

• Kiri Bath (Milk Rice) – Symbolizing prosperity, served with lunu miris

• Kokis – Crispy, deep-fried cookies shaped like flowers.

• Asmi – A lacy, crunchy sweet made with rice flour and treacle.

• Kavum – Oil cakes sweetened with jaggery, a New Year staple.

• Mung Kavum - Oil cakes made with green gram

• Aluwa - Sweet cakes made out of rice flour

2. Vesak (May) – Buddha’s Birthday Dansal

• Set up by volunteers during Vesak, dansal serve everything from rice and curry to ice cream and drinks creating a joyful atmosphere of sharing.

3. Ramadan & Eid – Muslim Community Delicacies

• Watalappan – Spiced coconut custard with jaggery and cardamom.

• Biryani – Fragrant rice with chicken, mutton, or beef.

4. Christmas (December) – Burgher, Portuguese & English Influences

• Rich Cake - Alcohol-soaked dried fruits and nuts

• Love Cake – Moist semolina cake with cashews and rosewater.

• Breudher – Dutch-inspired spiced cake served with butter

5. Thai Pongal (January) – Tamil Harvest Festival

• Pongal – Sweet or savory rice cooked with milk, jaggery, and ghee.

• Vadai – Crispy lentil fritters served with coconut chutney.

Must-Try Sri Lankan Street Foods

1. Kottu Roti – The Ultimate Sri Lankan Comfort Food

• What it is: Chopped flatbread stir-fried with veggies, eggs, meat (or cheese!), and a mix of spices on a hot griddle.

• Why try it? The rhythmic clanging of the kottu chef’s blades is a Sri Lankan soundtrack—and the dish is even more addictive than the sound!

2. Hoppers (Appa) – The Perfect Breakfast or Snack

• What it is: Bowl-shaped crispy pancakes made from fermented rice flour and coconut milk, often served with a fried egg in the center (egg hopper) or sweet versions with jaggery (pani appa).

• Best with: Spicy lunu miris (onion sambal) or creamy coconut sambol.

3. Isso Wade (Shrimp Fritters) – Crispy & Spicy Delight

• What it is: Deep-fried lentil cakes topped with tiny, flavorful shrimp and green chilies.

• Where to find it: Street vendors near beaches (like Mount Lavinia) or busy markets.

4. String Hoppers – Perfect for breakfast or dinner

• What it is: Delicate, steamed rice flour noodles shaped into thin discs, a staple in Sri Lankan cuisine.Typically served with coconut sambol, curry,

• Where to find it: Local restaurants and street vendors

5. Achcharu (Pickled Fruits) – A Tangy, Spicy Treat

• What it is: A mix of tropical fruits (mango, pineapple, guava) pickled in chili, salt, and vinegar.

• Why it’s great: The perfect balance of sweet, sour, and spicy—ideal for beating the heat!

Thambili (King Coconut Water)

1. Water from golden king coconut

2. Naturally sweet, full of electrolytes

3. Sold fresh at roadside stalls

Kurumba (Young Coconut Water)

1. Water From green coconuts

2. Lighter taste than thambili

3. Has soft jelly-like flesh inside

Kola Kanda (Herbal Porridge)

1. Nutrient-packed drink

2. Made with leafy greens rice, and coconut milk

3. Traditionally consumed at dawn for vitality

Kiri Pani (Curd & Treacle)

1. Made with fermented buffalo milk curd

2. Served with kithul treacle

3. Creamy, sweet-sour flavor

Wood Apple Juice

1. Made from woodapple fruit pulp

2. Thick, tangy flavor and brown in color

3. Often sweetened with sugar

Authentic Sri Lankan Beverages

Ceylon Tea

1. World-famous black tea with rich taste

2. Served plain or with milk

3. Different grades from highlands

Cinnamon Tea

1. Made from Ceylon cinnamon bark

2. Naturally sweet with warming

3. Aids digestion & regulate blood sugar

Beli Mal (Herbal Infusion)

1. Herbal drink made with beli leaves served with jaggery

2. Considered medicinal, Rich in vitamin C and antioxidants

3. Combats fatigue and dehydration

Ranawara Tea

1. Made from Sennaauriculata plant

2. Antioxidant-rich tea

3. Caffeine-free herbal delight

Iramusu Tea

1. Renowned in Ayurveda for detoxifying

2. Packed with antioxidants

3. Traditionally used to reduce inflammation and arthritis pain

A FEAST FOR THE SENSES

Sri Lankan cuisine tells a story in every dish. Dive into a culinary adventure where tradition and spice create magic on your plate.