Sri Lankan cuisine is a cuisine formed thanks to the influence of Indian, as well as culinary traditions of the peoples of Asia and Europe.
National cuisine of Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan dishes are prepared mainly from rice, vegetables, fruits, fish, herbs, and spices. It is worth noting that coconut juice, palm nectar, and coconut flakes (made from pulp) are added to some traditional dishes.
Especially in high esteem curry is often called any food made from a mixture of spices that are ground into powder (coriander, chili, cumin, turmeric, mustard, garlic, ginger). So, meat, chicken, vegetables, lentils are cooked with this mixture. In addition, pita (made with rice flour, water and grated coconut) is often served with curry. Speaking of sauces, Sri Lanka is especially fond of anchar sauce, which contains fruits and spices.
On the coast, seafood dishes are held in high esteem - tuna, squid, shrimp, shellfish, which are seasoned with traditional spices and spices. As for sweets, kiavum (like donuts) and aluva (local halva) are popular here.
Popular Sri Lankan dishes:
- “Coconutchickencurry” (curry made from rice, chicken, spices, coconut milk);
- “Malayachcharu” (pickled spicy vegetables);
- Jaffinakool (soup with rice, crab, flour, tamarind, tiger prawns, chili paste);
- “Palakdal” (is a puree soup with lentils, spinach, spices).
Where to taste the national cuisine?
Vacationers in Colombo may be advised to drop by "Raja Bojun" (in this restaurant guests are treated to salads from fresh vegetables, as well as meat with curry and rice), in Kandy - in "Devon Restaurant" (in this restaurant you should enjoy seafood and meat dishes seasoned with aromatic spices), in Galle - in “Mamas Galle Fort Roof Cafe” (it is possible to enjoy the best curry in the city in this institution). Tip: if the ordered dish causes a burning sensation in your mouth, you should not “extinguish” the fire with water - cold yogurt without additives or ordinary boiled rice will cope best with this problem. It is worth noting that in addition to white rice, red rice (say “redrice”) can be ordered in local restaurants.
Top 10 Sri Lankan dishes
Cooking classes in Sri Lanka
If you wish, you can sign up for cooking courses in Unawatuna: before you start cooking national dishes of Sri Lanka, you will be offered to choose fresh products and spices at the local market. It is worth noting that local hotels have restaurants where fish, lobsters, squids are prepared for guests (you can choose seafood and fish yourself), which are served with various sauces at a certain time. And you can watch the cooking process and take note of some culinary secrets.
It is advisable for gourmets to arrive in Sri Lanka for the World Spice Food Festival (October) and the International Spice Festival (October-November, Colombo).
