Sri Lanka, often referred to as the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean,” is home to a rich and diverse culinary tradition that’s as vibrant and layered as the island’s history. Steeped in the spices and flavours of its past and present, Sri Lankan cuisine is a delightful mix of local produce, aromatic spices, and cooking techniques influenced by South India, the Middle East, and the Netherlands. This article delves into the top five dishes that define Sri Lankan cuisine.
Rice and Curry:
Rice and curry is not just a dish but a daily ritual for many Sri Lankans. The plate generally comprises a mound of rice surrounded by various curries that can range from vegetables, fish, chicken, or mutton, all cooked in unique styles. Pol sambol (coconut relish) and pickles often accompany this. The combination of various flavours and textures makes this dish an absolute delight.
Hoppers (Appa):
Hoppers, known locally as Appa, are a staple breakfast dish in Sri Lanka. These bowl-shaped pancakes are made from a fermented batter of rice flour, coconut milk, and a hint of sugar. The centrepiece of the hopper is often a perfectly cooked egg, known as “Egg Hopper”. Light, crispy, and slightly sour, hoppers are typically served with lunu miris (a sambol chilli sauce) or seeni sambol (caramelised onion relish).
Kottu Roti:
This popular street food is a symphony of taste and sound. Kottu Roti is a stir-fry made from godhamba roti (a type of Sri Lankan flatbread), vegetables, eggs, and a choice of meat, all chopped and mixed on a flat iron skillet using two metal cleavers. The rhythmic clanking of the cleavers is a familiar sound in Sri Lankan night markets, almost like a siren song to food lovers.
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Fish Ambul Thiyal (Sour Fish Curry):
Sri Lanka’s coastal regions offer a bounty of seafood dishes, and the Fish Ambul Thiyal is a standout. Also known as sour fish curry, this dish involves coating fish chunks in a blend of spices including black pepper, turmeric, garlic, pandan leaves, and dried goraka, a fruit that gives the dish its distinct sour flavour. The fish is then cooked until it’s almost dry, allowing all the flavours to soak into it.
Watalappan:
A Malay-origin dessert that has become a Sri Lankan favourite, Watalappan is a rich, steamed custard made from eggs, coconut milk, and jaggery (palm sugar), spiced with cardamom, nutmeg, and cloves. It’s a delightful sweet treat to end a meal and is particularly popular during religious festivals and special occasions.
Exploring Sri Lankan cuisine is akin to discovering the island’s rich cultural tapestry, with its vibrant blend of flavours, colours, and aromas. From the quintessential Rice and Curry, the iconic Hoppers, the rhythmic Kottu Roti, the tangy Fish Ambul Thiyal, to the sweet Watalappan, each dish is a testimony to Sri Lanka’s remarkable culinary heritage and its openness to external influences. It’s a gastronomical journey that is a treat for the senses.
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