Discover the Mouthwatering Flavors of Sri Lanka; “Top 10 Must-Try Dishes and Cuisines”

Image: Alexander Farnsworth

Sri Lanka, being an island coconut, fish, and different types of Asian spices most influential components of Sri Lankan cuisine. Rice and curry is the Sri Lanka’s staple food and many side dishes add more flavor to the meal. Among those dishes, few make people impossible to resist eating the same over and over again.

Fish Ambul Thiyal (Sour Fish Curry) – Food Guide to Sri Lanka

This is made with Goraka (dried garcinia) and black pepper, not only giving the fish Ambul Thiyal curry a unique taste but is also a method of preserving fish without refrigeration or freezing.

Preparation of Fish Ambul Thiyal

Step 01 -The fish pieces are washed well and put in a clay pot which adds a unique flavor to the dish.

Step 02-Spread a layer of curry leaves under the pot and spread the fish pieces in a pattern to evenly distribute the heat among the fish pieces.

Step 03-The garcinia, Ceylon cinnamon, cardamom, and garlic paste are then coated on the fish pieces and tapped smoothly on the fish to get the taste.

Step 04-Sprinkle some salt and pepper and add a bit of water to allow the mixture to get thin and get the fish cooked well.

Step 05-Then cook under low heat until the fish gets cooked.

This a must-try dish in Sri Lanka where you can taste it with coconut sambal and rice as a serving option.

Ingredients-

• Fish

• Cardamom, garlic, garcinia, cinnamon paste

• Onion

• Curry leaves

Polos (Young Jak fruit curry)

Jak fruit has different ripening stages. Young Jak (unripe) is used to make the polos curry. The matured jak fruit is steamed or cooked with coconut milk and eaten. Some have practiced making make jak fruit mallum which is another signature dish among Sri Lankans.

Preparation Of Polos

Polos is made with young Jak fruit.

Step 01-The fruit is washed and removed from the coat and cut into pieces and steamed to cook them well.

Step 02-Then all the spices are added into a clay pot.

Step 03-The spices include chili powder, turmeric powder, pepper, salt, masala curry powder, salt, cinnamon, tamarind, and condiments like onion, garlic, green chili, and curry leaves.

Step 04-Then add the first extract of coconut milk and cook the pieces well.

Step 05-Once they are cooked, the polos pieces are rich with unique Sri Lankan spices flavor.

The dish needs to be simmered so that all the spices can penetrate into polos pieces well which is delicious with hot finely cooked rice and coconut sambal.

Ingredients-

• Young jakfruit

• Sri Lankan spices(chilli powder,turmeric powder,curry powder)

• Salt and pepper

• Onion, green chili, curry leaves

Kottu

An extremely popular Sri Lankan street food dish is known as kottu or kottu roti.

Preparation Of Kottu

Essentially it is composed of shredded pieces of Sri Lankan godamba roti, which is sort of like a giant-sized paratha (an oily fried piece of thin dough), that is stir-fried with an assortment of spices and a choice of other meaty (or vegetarian) ingredients.

The readily made kottu mixtures are freely available in Sri Lankan supermarkets as well. So that it makes the task easier of making kottu.

Only your preferred vegetable and meat need to be added to the frying pan and get the kottu mixed thoroughly with fried vegetables.

Add salt and other spices and sauces as you prefer according to the taste. What makes kottu so special is not just the taste of the dish but also the art of preparation.

Arrange a way to visit Sri Lanka to hear the rhythmic sound of making kottu by street vendors of Sri Lanka.

This is a very flexible recipe.

You can use whatever vegetable and meat you like and taste them with your favorite curry. Usually, Sri Lankans have practiced tasting it with chicken curry.

Ingredients-

• Godamba roti pieces

• Any meat, eggs

• Sri Lankan spices(chilli powder,turmeric powder,curry powder)

• Salt and pepper

• Onion, green chili, curry leaves

Wambatu moju (Eggplant/Brinjal moju)

Sri Lankan eggplant Moju, also known as Batu Moju, is a delicious sweet, and savory dish you shouldn’t miss on your next rice and curry feast. It’s a dried version of eggplant Moju that’s full of flavor.

Preparation Of Eggplant Moju

It can last a long time without going bad if you make it ahead of time.

Step 01- The eggplant should be cut into thin long pieces so that they are crispier when they are deep-fried.

Step 02-Then fry them until they are golden brown. Do not allow the eggplant to retain more time after they cut because they turn into brown color soon by oxidizing.

Step 03-Then add some shallots, green chili, and dried fish according to the flavors. Maldive fish flakes for this eggplant moju is crucial.

Step 04-You get a nice umami flavor from it. And also be generous with the amount of curry leaves you put in.

They also add nice flavor and aroma. This can be served with yellow rice, chicken curry, and dhal curry.

• Sri Lankans never forget to reserve a place for this moju in their special festive moments.

Ingredients-

• Eggplant pieces

• Dried fish, Maldives fish

• Sri Lankan spices(chilli powder,turmeric powder,curry powder)

• Salt and pepper

• Onion, green chili, curry leaves

• Vinegar

• Coconut oil

Banana flower curry recipe

You all have tasted bananas already. But have you tried a dish with banana flowers? Among Sri Lankans, this dish is famous in rural areas. They have practiced combining this with rice.

The Banana flower curry recipe, string hoppers, and sambal is also a nice combo.

Preparation Of Banana Flower Curry Recipe

Step 01-Well-cleaned banana flower is chopped into fine pieces.

Do not allow them to retain more time once they are cut. Put them immediately into the water with lemon juice and salt flavor.

Step 02-Then soak them for some time and squeeze out the juice from them.

Place a clay pot on heat and add first extract coconut milk and add chili powder, turmeric powder and other spices, green chili garlic onion curry leaves also add more flavor to the dish.

Step 03-Then cook them until the color of the pieces gets changed. You can add some pieces of Maldives fish if required to taste it more.

Never forget to add salt according to the taste.

Ingredients-

• Banana flower

• Dried fish, Maldives fish

• Sri Lankan spices(chilli powder,turmeric powder,curry powder)

• Salt and pepper

• Onion, green chili, curry leaves

• Coconut milk first extract

There are so many unique Sri Lankan dishes that you should try. The Sri Lankan spices place a significant role in the taste of amazing dishes. Sri Lankan food culture changes from region to region.

People have practiced using different names for the same curry in different regions. The above-mentioned dishes are also made differently in various areas of Sri Lanka. This factor affects the attraction of other people to Sri Lankan Food. You can flavor the best version of these dishes if you visit luxury escapes in Sri Lanka.