Cuisine in Sri Lanka

Rice and Curry

National dish of several vegetable, meat, and fish curries with sambol served over rice.

• Main ingredients: Rice, Coconut milk, Various spices

Kiribath

Celebratory New Year rice cooked with coconut milk. Cut into diamond shapes.

• Main ingredients: Rice, Coconut milk, Salt

Hopper (Appa)

Fermented crepe of rice flour and coconut milk. Soft center with crispy edges.

• Region: Nationwide
• Main ingredients: Rice flour, Coconut milk, Yeast

Kottu Roti

Street food of chopped godamba roti stir-fried on griddle with vegetables, egg, and curry.

• Main ingredients: Roti, Egg, Vegetables, Curry sauce

String Hoppers

Breakfast of steamed rice flour noodles eaten with curry.

• Region: Highlands
• Main ingredients: Rice flour, Salt, Water

Watalappan

Steamed pudding of coconut milk and jaggery.

• Region: Western
• Main ingredients: Coconut milk, Palm sugar, Egg, Nutmeg

Jackfruit Curry

Curry of simmered young jackfruit with meat-like texture.

• Region: Southern
• Main ingredients: Jackfruit, Spices, Coconut milk

Devilled Dish

Sri Lankan-style Chinese stir-fry with chili and vinegar. Popular with chicken or squid.

• Region: Urban areas
• Main ingredients: Meat or seafood, Chili, Vinegar, Onion

Pol Sambol

Spicy condiment mixing grated coconut, chili, and lime.

• Main ingredients: Coconut, Red chili, Lime, Salt

Rasse Mudun Sel

Coastal delicacy of bonito flakes jellied.

• Region: South Coast
• Main ingredients: Bonito flakes, Spices