A Culinary Journey Through Sri Lanka: Regional Specialties to Savor
Sri Lanka is a land of diverse landscapes, cultures, and cuisines. From the coastal cities to the lush hillsides, each region has its own unique culinary traditions and specialties that are worth exploring. In this culinary journey through Sri Lanka, we'll take a look at some of the regional specialties that you won't want to miss.
Starting from the west coast, the city of Colombo is known for its street food and fusion cuisine. Here you'll find everything from spicy kottu roti, a dish made with shredded roti bread, vegetables, and meat or eggs, to Chinese-inspired fried rice and noodles. Don't miss out on the seafood either, as the city's proximity to the Indian Ocean means that fresh catches of prawns, crab, and fish are a staple.
Moving south along the coast, the city of Galle is famous for its Dutch-influenced cuisine. The Dutch arrived in Sri Lanka in the 17th century, and their influence can still be seen in the architecture and food of the city. Try the lampreys, a dish of rice, meat, and vegetables wrapped in a banana leaf and baked, or the egg hoppers, a type of pancake with a crispy edge and soft center.
Heading inland, the hill country of Sri Lanka offers a different set of regional specialties. Here you'll find cooler temperatures and fertile soil, which is perfect for growing tea, spices, and fruits. One must-try dish is the kottu roti, made with roti bread, eggs, vegetables, and spices. Another specialty is the string hoppers, a type of noodle made from rice flour that is steamed and served with curry.
Finally, in the northern regions of Sri Lanka, Tamil cuisine reigns supreme. The cuisine is characterized by its use of aromatic spices, such as cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves, and a variety of lentils and legumes. One must-try dish is the biriyani, a fragrant rice dish that is layered with meat or vegetables, and spices. Another popular dish is the dosa, a crispy crepe made from rice and lentil flour that is served with chutneys and sambar.
In conclusion, Sri Lanka's regional specialties are a testament to the country's diverse and vibrant culinary landscape. Whether you're in the mood for spicy street food, Dutch-inspired cuisine, or aromatic curries, there is something for everyone on this culinary journey through Sri Lanka.
Here are ten popular Sri Lankan food recipes that you might want to try:
- Chicken curry - a flavorful dish made with chicken, onion, garlic, ginger, curry powder, and coconut milk.
- Fish ambulthiyal - a tangy and spicy fish curry made with tuna or other firm fish, tamarind, and spices.
- Kottu roti - a popular street food made with shredded roti bread, vegetables, eggs, and/or meat that are stir-fried together with spices.
- Pol sambol - a coconut-based relish made with grated coconut, chili powder, onion, and lime juice. It's typically served with rice or bread.
- Lamprais - a Dutch-influenced dish that features rice, meat or fish, eggplant curry, and various other accompaniments all wrapped in a banana leaf and baked.
- Wambatu moju - a tangy and sweet eggplant pickle made with caramelized onions, vinegar, and spices.
- Pittu - a steamed dish made from a mixture of rice flour and coconut, typically served with curry or coconut milk.
- Hoppers - a type of crispy pancake made from fermented rice flour and coconut milk, often eaten with curry or sambol.
- Gotu kola salad - a refreshing and healthy salad made with gotu kola leaves, coconut, onions, and lime juice.
- Parippu - a simple and comforting dish made with red lentils, coconut milk, and spices. It's often served with rice and other curries.
- Deviled prawns - a spicy dish made with prawns, onions, garlic, ginger, chili powder, and soy sauce.
- Chicken Varuval - a spicy dry chicken dish made with onions, tomatoes, chili powder, and spices.
- Mutton Kulambu - a flavorful mutton curry made with tomatoes, coconut milk, and a blend of spices.
- Fish Puttu - a dish made with ground fish, onions, and spices that are steamed together in a coconut shell.
- Crab Curry - a spicy curry made with crab, coconut milk, and a blend of spices.
- Prawn Curry - a rich and flavorful prawn curry made with coconut milk, tomatoes, and a blend of spices.
- Green Bean Poriyal - a dry vegetable dish made with green beans, onions, and spices.
- Okra Curry - a tasty curry made with okra, onions, and a blend of spices.
- Lentil Curry - a comforting curry made with lentils, coconut milk, and a blend of spices.
- Potato Curry - a simple but flavorful curry made with potatoes, onions, and a blend of spices.
- Beef curry - a classic Sri Lankan dish made with tender beef, onions, garlic, ginger, and a blend of spices like cumin, coriander, and cardamom.
- Pork curry - a delicious curry made with tender pork, onions, garlic, ginger, and a blend of spices like cinnamon and clove.
- Lamb curry - a flavorful curry made with tender lamb, onions, garlic, ginger, and a blend of spices like cumin, coriander, and cardamom.
- Chicken biryani - a fragrant and spicy rice dish made with tender chicken, basmati rice, and a blend of aromatic spices.
- Devilled beef - a spicy stir-fry dish made with tender strips of beef, onions, garlic, and chili peppers.
- Spicy chicken fry - a crispy and spicy dish made with tender chicken pieces marinated in a blend of spices and then fried until crispy.
- Black pepper pork curry - a delicious and spicy curry made with tender pork, black pepper, onions, garlic, and a blend of aromatic spices.
- Beef kebabs - tender and juicy skewers of marinated beef grilled to perfection and served with a tangy yogurt sauce.
- Spicy mutton roast - a succulent and spicy roast made with tender mutton, onions, garlic, ginger, and a blend of aromatic spices.
- Spicy sausage stir-fry - a flavorful and spicy stir-fry dish made with sliced sausages, onions, garlic, and chili peppers.
