Hi Reader,

Does the thought of a different cuisine that you’re not familiar with scare you? Or do you embrace it, and try all the dishes you possibly can in a new country?

In all honesty, Sri Lankan food is one of our favourite cuisines, it is full of flavour, but some dishes are very spicy.

But Sri Lanka cuisine, isn’t all about spicy rice and curry dishes, oh it’s way more than that. Sri Lankan cuisine has a range of dishes, from kottu, Sri Lankan porridge, hoppers and more.

If you have never heard of those dishes, don’t worry, we are going to break it all down, plus the best foods to try in Sri Lanka, and our recommendations on where to eat.

Let’s talk about the spice level in Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan’s are not afraid to put hot and fiery spices and chili’s into the dishes. And while some curries are very spicy, you can ask for mild curries.

Pro tip: Just be prepared, that mild for Sri Lankan’s can still be spicy.

Rice and curry

Now one dish you can’t miss is traditional rice and curry. This is the heart of Sri Lankan cuisine and can change from house to house and even restaurant to restaurant.

A traditional rice and curry, will normally include:

• A portion of rice
• A dhal curry, which is normally mild, but some can make it spicy
• Two-three veggie curries
• A protein curry (chicken, fish, egg, mutton and sometimes jackfruit)
• Something crunchy like papadum
• And a sambol for extra flavour

The best place for affordable rice and curry is Nelum Kole, on the outskirts of Colombo. We always make a point of stopping here on our visits. And you’ll see very few tourists, which makes this an authentic Sri Lanka experience.

Kottu

You can’t miss the sound of tak-tak-tak noise from the metal blades chopping away, as kottu is being prepared and cooked.

It’s made from roti bread, that’s stir-fried with veggies, egg, chicken or cheese.

This is pure comfort food at its best and perfect if you want something different.

Hoppers

This is our favourite breakfast dish. It’s a thin crispy bowl-shaped pancake, either eaten plain or with a soft egg in the middle.

You’ll normally eat this with a sambol on the side.

String hoppers

These are a great alternative to rice, and perfect along with tasty curries.

These flat circular noodle-like discs made from rice flour are ideal for breakfast.

Wattalappan

This sweet dessert is made from jaggery (a sugar made from sugarcane juice or palm sap), spices and coconut milk.

This will just round off your spicy Sri Lankan meal, with a sweet dessert.

I’ve made this dish on several occasions, and it has always gone down well, with our family and friends in Sri Lanka.

And finally..... the fruit

Sri Lanka has an abundance of fruit, from papaya, mangoes, king coconut, rambutan, passionfruit, different variations of banana and more.

King coconut is perfect for rehydration, with all natural electrolytes, and will cost only a couple of pounds for one. Or grab some fruit or a smoothie from a local stall and enjoy fresh fruit on the go.

Things to avoid

Avoid tap water, whether that’s water for drinking, ice or food that’s been washed in tap water. You don’t want to spend a few days in the bathroom.

A Lifestraw is the perfect solution to buying bottled water. While they are expensive, they are worth every penny; you can refill your bottle from most water sources and the straw will filter 99.9% of bateria, allowing you to drink with confidence.

If you are unsure where the ice has come from, or how the food was prepared, then don’t consume it.

Most tourist restaurants, bars and cafes will use filtered water, but if in doubt ask.

Our opinion

Don’t be put off by how spicy the food sounds; it really is worth trying something different.

Although, if you are struggling with Sri Lankan cuisine, then most luxury hotels offer western cuisine, but in our opinion, you’ll be missing out.

And if you’re a vegetarian of vegan, don’t worry, Sri Lankan cuisine is mainly made from coconut milk, and the menu normally includes vegetarian options, so you won’t miss out.

If you want a full list, stories, recommendations on where to eat and tips on Sri Lankan cuisine, we have put together everything you need to know:

>>>>>>11 Dishes you must try in Sri Lanka. <<<<<<

If you’ve been to Sri Lanka before, what was your favourite dish? And if you’re going soon, tell us what you’re most excited to try!

We absolutely love hearing about your Sri Lankan food adventures.

Happy travelling

Bev & Shams

Email: bev@bevandshams.com

Website: www.bevandshams.com​

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