Rice served on a banana leaf with dhal, sambol, greens, fish curry and papadum
Culture & food

Local flavours to discover

Eating well is one of the great pleasures of travelling in Sri Lanka. A few dishes to look out for:

About 3 minutes to read

Rice and curry

The everyday staple: rice served with several curries — often dhal, vegetables and fish or chicken — plus sambols and papadum.

Hoppers

Bowl-shaped pancakes made from fermented rice flour and coconut milk, sometimes with an egg cooked in the middle.

Kottu

Chopped flatbread stir-fried with vegetables, egg or meat — you will often hear it being made before you see it.

Tea

Ceylon tea is grown across the hill country. A tea-factory visit with a tasting is an easy way to learn more.

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