Sri Lankan meals have gained global popularity with their blend of fiery spices, creamy curries, rich flavours and unique textures. The scrumptious dishes of Sri Lankan cuisine provide the country’s visitors with exotic eating experiences. Here’s a guide to exploring Sri Lankan cuisine in the country’s bustling capital, Colombo.
String hoppers at Galle Road
String hoppers make up an important part of a Sri Lankan breakfast and are one of the most popular dishes in the country. The pancake-like bites are prepared from steamed rice noodles molded into flat spirals. They are traditionally served with coconut sambol, Dhal and other sauces. While the spicy curries that accompany them might seem novel to some, particularly early in the morning, there’s hardly a more delicious way to start your morning than savoring some string hoppers with a cup of black tea. Along Galle Road numerous restaurants serve local cuisine treats including string hoppers. Many eateries offer a basic setting and are filled with locals looking to taste the delicious cooking. Particularly noteworthy is the Green Cabin, rumored to have some of the best hoppers around.
Samosas at Pettah Train Station
After a long bus or train journey, take a stroll around Pettah’s central station, filled with numerous vendors and food stalls selling short eats and other delicious dishes. Vegetable samosas are a staple of Sri Lankan cuisine and while they can practically be found all over the city, they are particularly popular in this area. Samosas are made by frying up flat bread stuffed with a mixture of vegetables and spices. The triangle shaped treats make for a wonderful quick bite while you are on the run, or they can be served as a sumptuous addition to a creamy curry. The flat breads come at incredibly low prices, but those sensitive to spice should be careful: the tasty samosas tend to be really spicy.
Kottu Roti at Hotel de New Pilawoos
Kottu Roti seems to be everyone’s favorite dish when it comes to Sri Lankan cuisine, and it’s hard not to marvel at its perfect balance of flavors. The dish is made from Godhamba roti, vegetables, egg, spices and there are meat options if desired. With its creamy textures and diverse seasoning, Kottu Roti represents a novel and truly rewarding experience for your taste buds and will keep you wanting more. Numerous restaurants serve up the sumptuous meal, yet one of the most popular places to sample the treat is the Hotel de New Pilawoos, a no-fuss restaurant frequented by numerous locals. Within the basic setting, visitors can sample one of the city’s best kottu rotis for next to nothing, enjoying an eating experience that will surely be remembered.
Egg Hoppers at the Grand Oriental Hotel
There is no way you can leave the country without having tasted an authentic Sri Lankan breakfast. Egg hoppers are prepared by starting out with a light pancake batter to which coconut milk and palm wine are added. While some people prefer them plain, it is also common to toss a fried egg in the middle while the mixture is cooking. The scrumptious bites are prepared in mini woks which makes them crispy around the edges while retaining a soft core in the centre. They are traditionally served with coconut sambal, chilli sauce, chutney or fresh herbs. The crêpe-like hoppers can be found all over the country, however, Colombo offers some of the best restaurants in which to try them out. Wander over to the Grand Oriental Hotel which puts up a hoppers night every Friday and Saturday where visitors can stuff themselves with the tasty fry-ups and take their pick from an extensive buffet.
https://theculturetrip.com/asia/sri-lanka/articles/a-guide-to-street-food-in-colombo/
