How to Eat Sri Lankan Food Like a Local

One of the best ways to experience Sri Lanka is through its food.

You don't need to visit a fancy restaurant to discover great Sri Lankan cuisine. Some of the most memorable meals can be found in a small family-run restaurant, a roadside café or even around a local dining table.

If you're visiting Sri Lanka for the first time, here are a few simple things that will help you eat more like a local.

Start With Rice and Curry

If there is one meal you should try in Sri Lanka, it's rice and curry.

And don't expect just one curry.

A typical plate can come with rice, several vegetable curries, dhal, sambol, papadum and sometimes fish, chicken or another meat. Every restaurant and family has its own combination.

The best part? Mix a little of everything together and find your favorite combination.

Try a Sri Lankan Breakfast

Sri Lankan breakfast is something worth getting out of bed for.

Try hoppers, especially egg hoppers, or string hoppers served with dhal and coconut sambol.

Hoppers are bowl-shaped pancakes with crispy edges and a soft centre, while string hoppers are delicate steamed rice-flour noodles.

Add some curry and sambol, and you've got a very Sri Lankan start to the day.

Don't Be Afraid of Spice

Sri Lankan food is known for its bold flavors and generous use of spices.

But not every dish is extremely spicy.

If you're not used to chili, simply ask for less spicy when ordering. Restaurants are generally happy to adjust dishes for visitors.

Also, remember that spicy doesn't always mean hot. Cinnamon, cardamom, curry leaves, cumin and other spices create much of the flavor you'll taste.

Eat With Your Hands — If You Want To

You'll often see Sri Lankans eating rice and curry with their hands.

You can try it too.

Wash your hands first, use your right hand and gently mix the rice with the curries before taking a bite.

If you'd rather use a spoon and fork, that's perfectly fine too. There's no need to feel uncomfortable if you're not used to eating with your hands.

Don't Skip the Street Food

Some of Sri Lanka's best food experiences are simple and inexpensive.

Try kottu roti, where chopped roti is cooked with vegetables, egg or meat on a hot griddle. You'll usually hear the distinctive sound of the metal blades chopping and mixing everything together before you even see the food.

Short eats such as samosas, rolls and patties are also popular snacks, especially with a cup of tea.

Look for busy local places rather than choosing somewhere simply because it looks designed for tourists.

Have Tea Like a Sri Lankan

Sri Lanka and tea are inseparable.

Order a cup of Ceylon tea at a local tea shop and take your time with it.

You don't need to be in a tea plantation to enjoy good Sri Lankan tea. Sometimes a simple roadside tea stop is part of the experience.

Try Something You Don't Recognize

Don't limit yourself to dishes you already know.

Ask your driver, guide or a local what they recommend. You might discover something you would never have ordered from a menu yourself.

That's often how the best food memories happen.

A Few Simple Things to Remember

When eating local food in Sri Lanka:

• Start with small portions if you're trying something new.

• Ask about the level of chili if you're sensitive to spice.

• Busy local restaurants are often a good sign of fresh, popular food.

• Drink bottled or properly treated water if you're unsure about the water source.

• Don't be afraid to ask what a dish contains.

• Most importantly, be curious.

Food Is Part of the Journey

Sri Lankan food isn't just something to eat between sightseeing stops.

It's part of the country's culture, hospitality and everyday life.

So sit down at a small local restaurant, order something you've never tried, share a meal and take your time.

You may arrive in Sri Lanka looking for the famous sights.

You might leave remembering the food.

At Thiraj Ceylon Travels, we believe some of the best travel experiences happen around a table.

Explore • Experience • Remember