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The best way to experience any country is to dig into its distinctive culture. And, what better way than indulging in every authentic dish that is served! If you consider yourself a true foodie, get ready for an amazing culinary journey through Sri Lanka with us; And stroll through this island country’s many streets to enjoy its cultural flavor! Scroll through our list of must-try items sri lankan street food Items that are curated just for you! And, treat yourself to a delightful experience on your next trip that your taste buds are craving for like crazy!
Top 10 Sri Lankan Street Food Items
Here are some mouth-watering Sri Lankan street food dishes that you must try while exploring the food culture of each of its magical cities.
1. Egg Hopper
Enjoy views of the natural landscape and enjoy crispy pancakes served Sri Lankan style. Often served in the morning, egg hoppers can conquer your senses within minutes! Perfectly cooked in a mini wok, the scrumptious bites are prepared in the shape of a small bowl with a fried egg in the middle. Served with chutney, coconut sambal, or chili sauce, this Sri Lankan snack is something you can’t miss!
Popular Restaurants: Green Cabin, Café on the Fifth, Grand Oriental Hotel
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2. let’s go
With the perfect balance of flavours, Kottu Roti tops the list of best Sri Lankan street food items. Served hot, this dish is made from Godhamba roti cut into strips, vegetables, spices and eggs or meat. Paired with the masala sauce, its creamy texture can make you crave for more. Its cheese version is quite popular among the locals. Sri Lankan hawkers often sell it from evening till late night.
Popular Restaurants: Hotel de New Pilawus, Nana Kings, Galle Face Hotel
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3. Bread
Although ‘roti’ means ‘plain bread’ in every corner of the world, what you get in Sri Lanka is much more than that. An assortment of exquisite flavours, its multiple versions, including plain roti, vegetable roti, egg roti and meat or fish roti, will appeal to you. Buy this delicious dish from the hawker’s stall, and let your taste buds enjoy this culinary journey to the fullest.
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4. Achcharu
Acharu is a spicy, sweet and sour mixture of pickles served island style. Made by marinating raw fruits, vegetables and even fish or meat in a mixture of salt, sugar, seasoned vinegar and chili powder, acharu is a trending snack in Sri Lanka; And it can be purchased from any street vendor.
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5. father
If you are planning to set out on a Sri Lankan food tour then the mouth-watering dal patty, Vadai, is a must-try on the road. Apart from the usual vadei made with urad dal, the island country also serves its alternative version, called isso vadei, which is made with fried prawns. Choose to eat it as party chow, and let this delicacy help satisfy your hunger pangs.
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6. Pol Sambol
If you really want to get to know Sri Lankan food culture, here’s another staple of the island country, called Pol Sambol. A fresh blend of desiccated coconut, red onion, lime, tomatoes, garlic, chilli and other spices, you can enjoy this delightful blend with any dish, and give a delicious experience to your taste buds.
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7. Curry
Unlike Indian lentil curry, Sri Lankan curry is made with simple lentils and lots of coconut milk. Here, you can also eat brinjal curry which has the taste of honey. Apart from this, there are other special curries made from cashew nuts, banana flowers and jackfruit that can blow your mind!
8. Thosai
Influenced by South India, Thosai is a Sri Lankan version of Indian food called ‘Dosai’. Often served for breakfast and dinner, this Ulundu flour pancake is one of the best Sri Lankan dishes found among the hawkers. A quick light feast, it can also be eaten with coconut sambol or chutney or with spicy seasonings of meat or fish.
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9. Thambili (King Coconut Water)
Rich in vitamin E, calcium, carbohydrates, iron, potassium and other nutrients, Thambili, also known as King Coconut Water, is a sweet drink found in almost every part of the island country. Sold by roadside vendors and hawkers, every sip of it has a magical power like nectar that helps quench your thirst within minutes. Renowned as a cure for many ailments like allergies, rashes and kidney diseases, it has abundant health benefits.
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10. Samosa
Last, but certainly not least, samosa is one of the most ubiquitous snack items available on the roadsides of Sri Lanka. Packed with a variety of spices, these delicious triangles are filled with either vegetables or beef. These crunchy dishes, served by almost every street food vendor, are a delight to eat.
Popular Restaurants: Bombay Sweet Mahal (195 Galle Road)
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With such a wide variety of Sri Lankan street food, from pickles and rotis to dal patties and refreshing coconut water, the hawkers and roadside vendors of this fascinating country are ready to surprise your taste buds with scrumptious flavours. So, book a trip to Sri Lanka now, and get ready with your backpack to walk the delightful streets of this tear-shaped island country for a different culinary experience altogether.
FAQs about Sri Lankan street food
What is the most popular food in Sri Lanka?
You have Fish Ambul Thiyal which is sour fish curry and then you can also get Kottu Roti and Kukul Maas Curry. You have parippu which is dhal curry and lampreys.
How can I avoid getting sick in Sri Lanka?
This applies not only in Sri Lanka but everywhere in the world. You can avoid drinking local tap water and drink only treated or boiled water. You can go to cafes, restaurants and street vendors which have a lot of people, are busy and also look clean. Make sure the food is properly cooked before eating it.
What is Sri Lankan breakfast?
Dal is a type of curry made from yellow lentils. It is also mixed with Sri Lankan spices and coconut milk. It is a staple of any Sri Lankan breakfast and sometimes people have it as lunch or dinner. You can decide to make the curry thick or thin depending on how you cook the dal.
What is the famous food of Sri Lanka?
Rice and curry is the most famous food of Sri Lanka. You can also find a special vambatu moju or brinjal or brinjal pickle. You can eat rice with vegetables, pulses or different fruits. Furthermore, the dishes that are made here are completely made with pickled fruits or vegetables and chutneys.
What is the national dish of Sri Lanka?
It’s rice and curry. Plus, you eat rice and curry at every meal.
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