How to make the best out of the local dishes in Sri Lanka

Sometimes, a memorable food experience is just what's needed for a memorable vacation. Sri Lankan cuisine is definitely up to this task – the island's signature dishes offer unique flavour combinations and have intricate preparation techniques. So, if you're itching to go on a gastronomical adventure through the sapphire isle, here's how you can make the best of it.

Start with a Local Breakfast

If you take a brisk walk along Sri Lanka's streets in the morning, you'll find countless restaurants tirelessly preparing all kinds of Sri Lankan dishes for breakfast. So, why not stop by one and try something out? One of the best options you can try out are hoppers. These are essentially Sri Lanka's take on the pancake – they are a bowl-shaped mix of rice flour and coconut milk. Hoppers are best enjoyed with spicy sambal or classic dhal curry. You can even up your hopper game by ordering some hearty egg hoppers. These, as the name suggests, have an egg thrown into the mix and gives the dish an added sense of richness and fluff. If you're on the mood for something sweet for breakfast, you can even get a hopper that's infused with honey or curd!

The Sri Lankan Staple

If you've been around Sri Lanka enough, you'll start to notice that the people here really love their rice and curry. Rice and curry is the national dish in Sri Lanka and you'll find it on the menu of every single restaurant in the country – from a street café in Colombo to one of the 5-star hotels in Bentota such as the Cinnamon Bentota Beach. What makes this seemingly simple dish so popular is its versatility. You can add an array of curries, meats, vegetables, and spices to your classic rice dish. What's more, the flavour combinations you get from mixing up all these different ingredients and sauces make each rice dish unique in its own right. Now, if you want to truly immerse yourself in the local culture, consider enjoying your rice and curry the way locals do – not with a knife and fork, but with your hand! Remember to use your right hands to mix everything up and your thumb to push the rice into your mouth.

Taste the Street Food

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Sri Lanka has some of the best street food offerings you can find here in South Asia. Cheap snacks – called short eats here – are readily available all over Sri Lanka. You'll even encounter traders that will walk up to you and offer to sell fried delights like wade and samosa. You can also buy fistfuls of peanut and chips – all mixed with dry spices and a helping of chill. These types of snacks are great if you're touring through a city and are visiting all the local attractions. Then, of course, there's the undisputed king of Sri Lankan street food – the kottu roti. A staple dish that's available almost anywhere, Kottu is made up of chopped flatbread that's mixed in with a variety of meat and vegetables. Often it is served lathered is different sauces and gooey cheese. If nothing else, be sure to enjoy a good helping of this delectable dish while you're here.

Treat Yourself to Some Seafood

The coastal waters that surround Sri Lanka are regularly reaped for their rich bounty. Many different varieties of fish, shrimp, squid, and more are hauled in by hard-working fishermen every day. So, why not treat yourself to this tantalizing selection of seafood as you wile away the time at a luxurious beach resort. Some great choices included freshly grilled fish that's served with a crispy salad. The atmosphere dining on the beach is always an enjoyable experience. Few things can beat the relaxing feel of munching into some a delectable dish with a beer in hand as the ocean waves roll back and forth in the distance.